Do supplements really help prevent disease and slow ageing?
For many years, it was thought that a lack of nutrients was linked only to specific deficiency diseases such as scurvy, a condition marked by soft gums and loose teeth that is caused by too little vitamin C. In the past three decades, however, thousands of scientific studies have all indicated that specific nutrients appear to play an important role in the prevention of a number of chronic, degenerative diseases common in contemporary Western societies.
Many recent studies highlighting the disease-fighting potential of different nutrients are mentioned throughout this blog. What most of these studies reveal is that the level of nutrients associated with disease prevention is often significantly higher than the current RDIs. And to achieve these higher levels, the participants in these studies often had to depend on supplements.
As well as slowing or preventing the development of disease, some experts suggest that nutrients, particularly antioxidants, can delay the wear and tear involved in ageing by reducing the damage done to cells. It doesn't follow from this that vitamin E or coenzyme Q10, for example, are 'youth potions'. But several recent studies, including work done at the Nutritional Immunological Laboratory at Tufts University in Boston, have found that supplementation with single nutrients, such as vitamin E, or with multivitamin and mineral supplements, appears to improve the immune response among older people.
For example, a study of 11,178 elderly people, conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Aging in the US, showed that the use of vitamin E was associated with a lowered risk of death in general, and especially of death from heart disease.
In fact, vitamin E users were only half as likely to die of heart disease as those taking no supplements. In addition, there's evidence that antioxidant supplements lower the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, two age-related conditions in which vision slowly deteriorates.
Other supplements that act as high-potency antioxidants and so offer protection against ageing disorders include selenium, carotenoids, flavonoids, certain amino acids and coenzyme Q10. Some experts also believe that the herb ginkgo biloba may improve many age-related conditions, especially those involving reduced blood flow, such as dizziness, impotence and short-term memory loss.
Substances found in echinacea and other herbs are reported to strengthen the immune system, and phyto-oestrogens such as soy isoflavones are thought to help delay or prevent some of the effects of menopause, as well as helping to prevent cancer and heart disease.
Many recent studies highlighting the disease-fighting potential of different nutrients are mentioned throughout this blog. What most of these studies reveal is that the level of nutrients associated with disease prevention is often significantly higher than the current RDIs. And to achieve these higher levels, the participants in these studies often had to depend on supplements.
As well as slowing or preventing the development of disease, some experts suggest that nutrients, particularly antioxidants, can delay the wear and tear involved in ageing by reducing the damage done to cells. It doesn't follow from this that vitamin E or coenzyme Q10, for example, are 'youth potions'. But several recent studies, including work done at the Nutritional Immunological Laboratory at Tufts University in Boston, have found that supplementation with single nutrients, such as vitamin E, or with multivitamin and mineral supplements, appears to improve the immune response among older people.
For example, a study of 11,178 elderly people, conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Aging in the US, showed that the use of vitamin E was associated with a lowered risk of death in general, and especially of death from heart disease.
In fact, vitamin E users were only half as likely to die of heart disease as those taking no supplements. In addition, there's evidence that antioxidant supplements lower the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, two age-related conditions in which vision slowly deteriorates.
Other supplements that act as high-potency antioxidants and so offer protection against ageing disorders include selenium, carotenoids, flavonoids, certain amino acids and coenzyme Q10. Some experts also believe that the herb ginkgo biloba may improve many age-related conditions, especially those involving reduced blood flow, such as dizziness, impotence and short-term memory loss.
Substances found in echinacea and other herbs are reported to strengthen the immune system, and phyto-oestrogens such as soy isoflavones are thought to help delay or prevent some of the effects of menopause, as well as helping to prevent cancer and heart disease.
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