Antioxidants . . . The Nutrients Boost The Immune System and Have Powerful Anti-Cancer Activity . . .
Health and nutrition experts have increasingly come to recognize the value of taking a synergistic blend of potent antioxidants, the cancer-fighting, health-promoting nutrients that help boost the immune system naturally. Heres a summary of major antioxidants that should be considered for daily intake . . .
Researchers analyzed data from the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET). They focused on blood samples from 278 subjects with prostate cancer and 483 matched subjects without cancer. They analyzed blood levels of several carotenoids, including lutein vitamin A and vitamin E (alpha and gamma tocopherols), then identified correlations between those levels and the risk of lung and prostate cancer.
Results: In the overall population, the highest intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol were associated with a significantly lower risk of lung cancer. Women with the highest blood levels of lutein, zeaxanth in and beta-cryptoxanthin had the lowest risk of developing lung cancer. The risk reduction associated with these nutrients was 69% for lutein zeaxanthin. Men with the highest blood levels of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) were 41% less likely to develop prostate cancer.
Firstly, for a good, all-around antioxidant boost, everyone can benefit from daily vitamin C, vitamin E, and Selenium.
Vitamin C
What It Does:
May protect against GI (gastro-intestinal) cancers, cataracts, and heart disease; reduces severity of colds. Optimizes vitamin E utilization.
Best Food Sources:
Fruits and vegetables (eg., strawberries, citrus fruits, broccoli, dark leafy green, red peppers).
Suggested Dose:
500 to 1,000 mg. (or more) a day. Best taken with meals.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E comes in two forms: tocoperols (the most common form of the vitamin) and tocotrienols. Take a vitamin E supplement to assure youre getting optimum tocopherol levels. Less is known about the tocotrienols; research is ongoing.
What It Does:
Tocopherols may protect against heart disease, stroke, Alzheimers, and certain cancers; they may also enhance immunity. Tocotrienols may fight heart disease and breast cancer; may also protect skin against the suns UV rays.
Best Food Sources:
Tocopherols: Nuts and vegetable oils have a small amount. Tocotrienols: Rice bran. Supplements are beneficial to supply a therapeutic dose of these vital vitamin compounds.
Suggested Dose
Tocopherols: 400 to 800 IU of natural vitamin E a day, preferably as mixe d tocopherols; best taken with meals.
Selenium
What It Does:
Protects against cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Assists other antioxidants to function at optimum levels.
Best Food Sources:
Brazil nuts, grains, vegetables (selenium content varies depending on the soil produce is grown in.)
Suggested Dose:
100 to 200 mcg. a day; avoid higher daily doses, which may be toxic. Take with meals to help boost absorption.
Coenzyme Q10
What It Does:
May fight cancer and heart disease; strengthens gums; protects nerves; helps generate energy, naturally.
Where Its Found and Specific Food Sources:
Present in all cells of the body, especially in the heart. Also found in nuts and oils, but supplementation is required to get a therapeutic dose.
Suggested Dose:
At least 30 mg. a day. CoQ10 is particularly important for anyone who has heart disease. In addition, anyone taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, such as Mevacor (lovastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin), or Zocor (simvastatin) should take CoQ10 because these drugs deplete the bodys store of Coenzyme.
Alpha-Lipolc Acid
What It Does:
May protect against heart disease, cataracts, stroke, cancer, and diabetes-related nerve damage. May also help boost critical glutathione levels.
Best Food Sources:
Found in tiny amounts in some foods (eg., spinach, beef, potatoes).
Suggested Dose
100 mg. a day with food. For people with diabetes, 200 mg. three times aday.
These Additional Antioxidants May Also Be Beneficial To Your Health.
Other antioxidants that may be worth including in your antioxidant mix depending on your individual health concerns are carotenoids, ginkgo biloba, and proanthocyanidins. Glutathione, an amino-acid like antioxidant, is very important for immunity and proper liver function . Taking these additional antioxidants boosts your bodys natural production of valuable glutathione.
Carotenoids
What They Do:
May lower your risk of certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Best Food Sources:
Orange and red fruits and vegetables; dark green vegetables.
Suggested Dose:
If diet is lacking in fruits and vegetables: Take mixed carotenoids supplying 25,000 IU of vitamin A activity a day.
Ginkgo Biloba
What It Does:
Improves circulation; may fight heart disease, Alzheimers, impotence.
Where Its Found:
Extracted from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree.
Suggested Dose
30 to 60 mg., of extract (equivalent 250 mg. - 500 mg. of whole herb) once or twice a day, with or without food.
Proanthocyanidins (Grape Seed Extract / Pine Bark Extract / Berry, Fruit Extracts)
What It Does:
Boosts bodys production of vitamins C and E and glutathione.
Where Its Found:
Extracted from grape seeds, berry extracts or pine bark (such as Pycnogenol).
Suggested Dose
30 to 200 mg. a day.
SOURCES / REFERENCES:
The Doctors Complete Guide To Vitamins and Minerals / Eades, M.D.
The Nutrition Desk Reference / Garrison, Jr., M.A., R.Ph. & Somer, M.A., R.D.
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2003;2003:518-526.
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