There is also a craze right now about "organic" foods. However, people have no idea that a label claiming "organic" means nothing these days because there are various bodies that certify organic products and all have different criteria. There is a lot of miseducation propagated by the advertisers, marketers and media so one of our missions here at Goddess Rising is to set y'all straight. (So much work to be done!) There is much to know because many people have good intentions of taking care of their health but are misguided because there is no legitimate education about basic nutrition principles. Health is NOT a priority in this country when food AND drugs are regulated together in the same governing body (Food and Drug Administration). One hand feeds the other, right?
But back to this article. So my main question is who funded this study? I also would like to know their methodology ie who was the population they studied? What was their original health like and eating/exercise habits? How much of each supplement did they take and for how long? Were they exercising? I find it hard to believe that vitamin A, E and C when taken properly would increase mortality. Did their subjects drop dead from increased vitamin A intake?
This points to the larger issue of the way we think about vitamins and health foods. The nutritionist in the article addresses the fact that many of us think that supplements are the cure for all of the bad shit we do to our bodies (i.e. smoke, drink, don't sleep, eat fatty and fried foods, etc.). They can help counteract some of the negative affects but will not magically fix our problems. I'm guilty too...I fooled myself into believing that beer mugs of green tea would balance out my cigarette issues. We need to get these nutrients from our food because that's where they naturally occur. And even though our foods are genetically modified and our soil is depleted, we can still find food that will nourish our bodies. So you want some antioxidants? Try berries (organic is important for berries), miso soup, green tea...even dark (70%) chocolate in moderation.
Please read the article below and think about it critically. Stay tuned here for more nutritional information that might blow your f*ckin' mind; we are only scratching the surface. In the meantime, chill on the soy milk (it's overrated), high fructose corn syrup which is in everything, and antibiotics in your milk/dairy and meat products.
CNN.com: Taking antioxidants like vitamins A and E to prolong life may actually have the opposite effect, new research has found.
A review of 67 studies involving more than 230,000 people found "no convincing evidence" that the vitamins prolonged life, the Press Association reported.
"Even more, beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E seem to increase mortality," according to the researchers.
However, other health specialists said the research was "flawed" and the supplements were safe to take.
The review, published by The Cochrane Collaboration, involved trials on beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium.
The experts said the studies involved different doses of each antioxidant. A total of 232,550 people were involved.
Forty-seven trials included 180,938 people and had a low risk of bias. In these trials with a low risk of bias, the "antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality", the report's authors wrote.
When the different antioxidants were assessed separately and low risk of bias trials were included and selenium excluded, vitamin A was linked to a 16% increased risk of dying, beta-carotene to a seven percent increased risk and vitamin E to a four percent increased risk.
However, there was no significant detrimental effect caused by vitamin C, the authors said.
"We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention," they added. "Beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E given singly or combined with other antioxidant supplements significantly increase mortality."
There was no evidence vitamin C increased longevity.
"Selenium tended to reduce mortality but only when high-bias risk trials were considered. Accordingly, we need more research on vitamin C and selenium."
Goran Bjelakovic, a visiting researcher who carried out the review at
"The findings of our review show that if anything, people in trial groups given the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E showed increased rates of mortality."
Patrick Holford, a nutritionist who has formulated some supplements for the firm Biocare, told the Press Association that the Cochrane review was a "stitch up."
"Antioxidants are not meant to be magic bullets and should not be expected to undo a lifetime of unhealthy habits," Holford said.
"But when used properly, in combination with eating a healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, getting plenty of exercise and not smoking, antioxidant supplements can play an important role in maintaining and promoting overall health."
Dr Michele Sadler, of the Health Food Manufacturers' Association, said the analysis was "flawed."
"Healthy consumers can still feel confident that they can safely take their antioxidant supplements."
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