Joe, what's your opinion on this? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Christina]

A study appeared last week in JAMA stating that those who take antioxidants do not live longer and may in fact have a higher risk of mortality. What's your take on this?

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH...28/536259.html

Christina

[Joe Cannon MS CSCS]

Hey Christina. You’ve touched on one of my passions! Yes I’ve seen the study and I discuss this darker side of antioxidants in my book Nutritional Supplements What Works and Why. Read my chapters on Antioxidants, Beta carotene, vitamin E, selenium, soy, lycopene and lutein.

Basically this study was a meta analysis of other studies ( in other words they compiled the results from a bunch of other studies and cranked out some stats). Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of high dosages of single nutrients because the research shows they don’t seem to work the same as when they are in their natural state (food). This was most clearly seen in the huge Beta Carotene studies in the 1990s' where it was found that smokers who use the nutrient had an increased risk of lung cancer. When I lecture to people (including fitness trainers) I am forever amazed at how 99% of the population has forgotten about this! We are almost conditioned to believe that more antioxidants are always better – they’re not. Emerging research is finding that under the right conditions (or wrong, depending on how you look at it) antioxidants may become “pro-oxidant”. In other words they create free radicals!

Yes, the research for the most part is conducted in people who have existing conditions however these are some of the most likely individuals are most attracted to antioxidants! The bottom line is what we have always known. Food is your best supplement! The research shows that people who eat lots of fruits and veggies get less cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc. That’s probably because you’re getting a more wide spectrum of antioxidants (and in the right amounts) than what are currently available in supplements.

Safe and Natural do not mean the same thing. Fitness professionals MUST know what supplements they are recommending to clients. There are some great supplements out there but you have to weigh their safety and effectiveness against the client’s health and existing conditions. These are just some of the issues I educate people about in my Nutritional Supplements book.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
Joe
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