I have been coming across more and more articles and products that promote Antioxidants. This is clearly a very hot topic especially as more data comes out linking the potential harmful effects of free radicals and reactive oxygen species, or whichever term you prefer. Through all this hype, a very important fact is left in the background. Oxygen radicals are a critical part of cell metabolism. The passing of electrons from one chemical agent to another in a series of what is called oxidation-reduction reactions generates the energetic momentum to form high-energy molecules that are used for every cellular process that requires the input of energy. As a consequence of this chain reaction, the production of free oxygen radicals is a requisite step. Every cell has many “built-in” mechanisms to deal with excessive production of these free radicals. Moreover, there is evidence building that radical formation, especially in the form of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can act as an intracellular signaling intermediate.

The problem is that there is never emphasis on the fact that radical formation is a necessary part of life nor is there discussion of the harmful effects of excessive antioxidant intake. There is limited evidence that excessive antioxidant intake can directly impact the chain reaction necessary for energy production. However, many antioxidant compounds, particularly the lipid soluble agents like vitamin E, can reach significant levels inside the cell that may begin to interfere, rather than help, this process of energy production.

More importantly, these compounds can reach levels within a cell that may be “toxic”. I will not belabor the details regarding the breakdown of these supplements and the actions of their breakdown products but these can be just as harmful in high doses as the originating supplements.

Another issue is the specific effects of each “antioxidant” compound. Take vitamin E for example. Vitamin E consists of tocopherols and tocotrienols. It is now known that alpha-tocopherol, which is often the predominant form in many vitamin E supplements, has limited antioxidant capacity but acts more as intracellular signal. Excessive amounts of alpha-tocopherol may in fact be harmful.

The question for the consumer amidst this confusion is how much antioxidant intake is too much. The answer unfortunately is, it depends. Typically, individuals who maintain a relatively low oxidizing environment (this refers to the cellular environment) can benefit greatly from relatively high doses. The quenching of any aberrant free radical species has been shown to be beneficial. Those individuals who already demonstrate a high oxidizing environment, after oxidative damage has started (obesity, diabetes, smoking), may not benefit from high doses of antioxidants. Antioxidant therapy may in fact prove detrimental.  For example, the ATBC study showed that supplementation with 20 mg of beta-carotene resulted in an 18% increase in lung cancer in cigarette smokers.

As frightful as this appears, I am a very strong proponent of antioxidant supplementation. This is why we have formulated the “Essential AntiOxidant Formula”. The relatively moderate dose of very effective antioxidants is safe to benefit individuals of all conditions. The key to optimizing your benefit from antioxidant therapy is to reduce the cellular oxidizing environment and to prevent the cyclical process of oxidative damage. This type of cellular environment proves most beneficial to antioxidant supplementation and to good health.

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