Feb 21 2009
To Take Antioxidants or Not to Take Antioxidants
Are antioxidants effective in combating disease and aging? Indeed, that is the question.
In one corner of recent research, we have Forget The Antioxidants? Researchers Cast Doubt On Role Of Free Radicals In Aging.
Their verdict -
For more than 40 years, the prevailing explanation of why we get old has been tied to what is called oxidative stress. This theory postulates that when molecules like free radicals, oxygen ions and peroxides build up in cells, they overwhelm the cells’ ability to repair the damage they cause, and the cells age….However, clinical trials have not shown that these treatments have statistically significant effects.
Good reasons for something to be true is one thing. Solid evidence is another. I’ll take evidence any day.
In another corner we have Dry Beans Inhibit Development Of Mammary Cancer.
In this good, solid animal-model experiment (rats) into legumes (dry beans) high in antioxidants, the researchers found -
Dry bean consumption from every market class reduced cancer incidence (number of animals with one tumor) and tumor number per animal compared to the control group. Cancer incidence was reduced from 95% in the control group to 67% in animals fed beans. The average number of malignant tumors was also reduced from 3.2 in the control group to 1.4 tumors per animal in the group fed bean.
Score one point for the antioxidants . . . but maybe not. The researchers also report -
No associations were observed between phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity with cancer among the bean market classes. These results clearly suggest that the anticancer activity in dry bean is not associated with seed color or antioxidant capacity.
Rats! (As in bummer!) I’m still holding out hope that my Costco multi-vitamin high in antioxidants provides some benefit. To me, and not just Costco and the manufacturer. But at this point, it is not looking good.
