Vitamins: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Vitamins: Too much of a Good Thing? If you’re like most people, you may think that when it comes to vitamins, minerals, and supplements, “If some is good, more would be better!” But recent studies suggest that when it comes to some vitamins and anti-oxidants, too much can be a bad thing.
As reported in a recent New York Times article, researchers in several studies have found that subjects taking increased doses of vitamins, A, B, C, and E, as well as beta carotene and selenium, have increased risks of cancers and heart disease, and increased mortality.
An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules, or “free radicals.” It’s long been thought that preventing oxidation will increase health and fight disease and aging. However, there is increased evidence that the body needs to maintain a certain level of these “free radicals” to fight against new cancerous cell formation. For that reason, many nutritionists and dieticians now recommend getting all of one’s vitamins and nutrients through a well balanced diet containing fruits and berries high in antioxidants.