These substances naturally present in the body and provided by food are used to fight against free radicals. The latter, generated by the normal cellular functioning of the body and the action of certain environmental factors (pollution, tobacco, solar radiation), are involved in cell aging and can contribute to the development of certain diseases. However, our body has means of defense and knows how to thwart these oxidative attacks. “But some subjects can produce excess free radicals; this is the case of smokers, people exposed to pollution, solar radiation, stress, or practicing sports intensively. For these subjects, the antioxidants provided by food are no longer enough,” says Christelle Chapteuil, vice-president of the Syndicat national des food supplements (Synadiet).
Where are antioxidants found?
Some of the most common antioxidants include: vitamins and minerals (vitamins A and C, selenium and zinc), lycopene, carotenoids, flavonoids, Coenzyme Q10 (all in capsule or tablet form), all red fruits, in particular blueberries, and “super fruits” such as pomegranate, gogi and acai (in the form of drinks).
A large-scale study
The Suvimax study (supplementation with antioxidant vitamins and minerals), conducted from 1994 to 2002, one of the largest French studies on the effects of
antioxidant vitamins and minerals preventing chronic heart disease and cancer, studied the effect of supplementation on 13,000 volunteers for 8 years. The first conclusion of the research is that men, at least at the start of the study, because of lower levels of beta-carotene (an antioxidant) than women, were more exposed to the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease. This difference is linked to the fact that they consume less fruit and vegetables. To the question “The increased consumption ofantioxidants does it improve health? the study came to the following conclusions:
– Whether women or men, no protective effect against cardiovascular risk could be attributed to the consumption of antioxidant supplements.
– For men, supplementing with one capsule of antioxidants per day reduced the risk of any type of cancer by 31%.
– The risk of mortality among supplemented men has dropped considerably to 37%, all causes combined. Here again, this protective effect of supplementation is not observed in women who initially benefited from a better antioxidant status.
No need, therefore, to rely entirely on antioxidant supplements to reduce the risk of cancer. A varied diet, rich in five fruits and vegetables a day, remains the best means of prevention. On the other hand, as has been observed in men, those who consume the least antioxidants in their diet can redress their balance by taking supplements.
