The health benefits of antioxidants
Added 07.11.2011
- Heart health: According to scientific studies, daily supplements of vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium improve the elasticity of arteries and lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly. Specifically, blood vessel elasticity in study participants increased from 11 to 12.7 ml/mm Hgx100 and blood pressure decreased from 145.2 to 136.1 (systolic) and from 78.4 to 75 (diastolic). The results were observed on dosages of: 1000 mg of vitamin C; 400 IU of vitamin E; 120 mg of Q10; and 200 mcg of selenium a day.
- Cholesterol: A mix of antioxidants containing coenzyme Q10, vitamin C and vitamin E lowers HDL cholesterol. This is the good cholesterol that helps to remove LDL (bad) cholesterol from the arteries. Having high HDL cholesteol levels lowers the risk of heart disease. In another study, after only two weeks of daily supplementation with coenzyme Q10, LDL cholesterol levels are lowered by over 12%.
- Diabetes: Many studies attest to the fact that a diet rich in antioxidants may prevent diabetes because this is one of the many diseases that can be caused by oxidative stress. Furthermore, in people with existing diabetes, antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and selenium decrease insulin resistance.
- Inflammation: Inflammation is linked to many chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis and diabetes. Studies show that daily supplements of vitamin E lower blood levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) by 53%. Better news still, when coenzyme Q10 is taken in conjunction with vitamin E, C-reactive protein is reduced by 70%.
- Cancer: A study found that vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene significantly lower the risk of developing uterine cancer.
References:
Mancini, A. & all. "Well-defined quantity of antioxidants in diet can improve insulin resistance." Presented at The Endocrine's Society 92nd Annual Meeting, San Diego. 2010.
Schelzer, C. & all. "Ubiquinol-induced gene expression signatures are translated into altered parameters of erythropoises and reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in humans." IUBMB Life. 2011.
Shargorodsky, M. & all. "Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors." Nutrition and Metabolism. 2010.
Schelzer, C. & all. "Ubiquinol-induced gene expression signatures are translated into altered parameters of erythropoises and reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in humans." IUBMB Life. 2011.
Shargorodsky, M. & all. "Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors." Nutrition and Metabolism. 2010.
