too much anti-oxidant??

While Americans should have more vitamins C and E in their diets than currently recommended, huge doses of these vitamins and other antioxidants have no proven benefit and may even be harmful."

_This is the same message I've been giving out all along. It's reassuring to know that scientists are making the same statements.

_Currently, there is not enough evidence to support claims that massive doses of antioxidants can improve health. The researchers are from the Institute of Medicine, a private organization that advises the federal government on the nation's Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) for nutrients.

_Health professionals have been waiting for the setting of upper limits of vitamins for quite some time now. It seems that adults should keep their daily vitamin C intake from both food and supplements below 2,000 milligrams because anything higher may cause diarrhea. The upper level for vitamin E, based only on vitamin supplements is 1,000 milligrams or 1,500 International Units. Excess can act as a blood anticoagulant resulting in a greater risk of uncontrolled bleeding and strokes

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You may have heard or read about antioxidants and you nodded your head, but really didn't understand how they are important to you and your health. First, we need to understand what antioxidants are: vitamins in food that may help block cell damage in our bodies by toxic molecules called free radicals, the byproducts of cellular activity that can damage other cells or cause undue stress to the body. If not blocked, these toxic molecules may actually contribute to the onset of disease, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Found mainly in fruits and vegetables, the important antioxidants are vitamin C; vitamin E; and carotenoids, the most commonly known of which is beta-carotene.

Vitamin C is thought to reduce the risk of eye cataracts, some cancers, and cardiovascular disease. Rich sources are green and red bell peppers (and other peppers or capsicums), broccoli, collard greens, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, oranges and other citrus fruits, and strawberries.

Of all of the antioxidants, vitamin E shows the most promise at possibly preventing cardiovascular disease. Rich sources include green leafy vegetables, oils made from vegetables, seeds, nuts, and wheat germ.

Just as too little of these vitamins can contribute to poor health, so can too much. People should not take in more than 2000 milligrams of vitamin C or 1500 units of vitamin E per day. Too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea, and vitamin E overdose side effects include bleeding.

Although beta-carotene is known the best, it actually represents less than 30 percent of the carotenoids in your blood. Research suggests that diets rich in carotenoids from a variety of fruits and vegetables may protect against some cancers, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts. You'll find carotenoids in dark-green, deep-yellow and bright red vegetables and fruits such as carrots, winter squash (acorn, butternut, etc), sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, papayas, cantaloupe, apricots, mangoes, and watermelon.

If you have further questions about how antioxidants fit into your daily meal plan, consult your physician, diabetes educator, or dietitian.

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The oral median lethal dose found in several species is 2 g/kg, and adverse effects usually are observed at doses greater than 1 g/kg, which is equivalent to 200-500 mg/kg in humans. However, vitamin E has been shown to have few adverse effects, even at high dosages (up to 3200 mg/d). Most deleterious effects have been observed in small studies and in case reports.

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