Nutrition Forum - TOO Much Antioxidants a Bad Thing?

Nutrition > Nutrition Forum > TOO Much Antioxidants a Bad Thing?

Q: TOO Much Antioxidants a Bad Thing?

asked by: mm23112311 on April 15th, 2008

New User

Its seems as if antioxidants are all the rage now. We have Sobe, Vitamin Water, and now even Snapple antioxidant water.

The question I have is:
How much is TOO MUCH? When does it become BAD for our bodies.

I am currently taking an antioxidant called OP3, which comes in a powder formula that I mix with water (I do not like pills). I am just worried that taking this, with a multi-vitamin, etc could actually be too much for my body?

I know the point of a supplement is to be taken when you are not getting enough but i think many people are over doing it and relying on them to get by with eating the proper foods.

I took this directly off of the site it describes the purpose of antioxidants:

"A free radical is an atomic structure with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell. These unpaired electrons tend to be highly reactive, resulting in chemical reactions such as oxidation. Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable. They scavenge the body to grab or donate electrons, causing damage to cells, proteins and DNA. Free radicals are naturally occurring; however, air pollution, stress, smoking, heavy exercising and aging all contribute to the creation of harmful free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to the body, potentially leading to serious health problems. Normally the body is able to protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if free radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur."

"Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues. Antioxidants work in two ways, chain breaking and prevention. A chain-breaking antioxidant such as vitamins A, C and E, stabilize free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures. A preventative antioxidant prevents the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals."

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Here is the link to what I am currently taking.

There are many other great nutritional supplements here as well.

Market America - OPC 3

Replies(6)

Mikolas

replied on April 15th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

I haven't read anything other then the question you asked in bold font.

Antioxidants are quite important, for the reasons that are probably mentioned in the copy paste you provided for us, where they neutralize free radicals that will cause the cells to begin oxidating.

However, depending on the vitamin/nutrient you are taking in, yes it can be toxic. Yes, this is not really answering what you asked, because you want to know exactly how much is too much. But you did not specify which antioxidant, which nutrient you wish to know about. Depending on which one, whether it is selenium, vitamin E, vitamin __, etc, our body can take them indefinitely, or a limited amount, it depends on the specific nutrient. So you would have to specify because it is not as if our body can take x amount of all antioxidants equally.

newmansion

replied on February 4th, 2009

New User

Not really, if you vary your sources.

Disclaimer: Entire entry quoted from source at the bottom.

<< You can't get too many anti-oxidants (unless you are a fan of aging and dying)

What you could do, is get too much of one source of anti-oxidants.

For example:

Vitamin C is a great anti-oxidant, but too much of it will mess up your digestion (nothing permanent, but it's not fun)

Teas are often cultivated with a fertilizing agent called Alum, which can lead to trace amounts of aluminium in tea, which is not good for you.

Vitamin E is a good anti-oxidant as well, but it's fat soluable - so too much of it is toxic.

Vary your sources and you should be fine.

Sources: nutritional consulting and education>>

Healthfoodie

replied on March 3rd, 2009

New User

I agree. You can never get too much of antioxidants. After all, our bodies need as many antioxidants as possible to keep healthy. There are plenty of foods that have antioxidants, called superfoods , and the trick is to vary them, and not eat too much of any one.

jdrichards91

replied on March 4th, 2009

New User

antioxidants

If your body can't use them it just passes through your body. I would suggest using a supplement that has all of them in one designed pill. There are some on the market. Advocare products are the best.

Robin3

replied on March 18th, 2009

New User

nutrition antioxidants

From the research I have read you can't get too much antioxidants if you get them in whole foods. The key is to take in a variety of antioxidant rich foods, preferably organically grown. The research that shows the most effective results from antioxidants were from whole foods. Research on the effects of individual antioxidants like vitamin C or E were not as consistent. Search ORAC scores to find lists of foods high in antioxidants and eat to your hearts content!

deteragram

replied on March 18th, 2009

Supporter

I believe you can take too many antioxidants

Like any other vitamin, if you take over the RDA it can have an adverse effect on the body. If you're taking a multivitamin and an antioxidant formula you should switch to a multivitamin with antioxidants.
OPC-3 Beauty Blend contains:
Grape Seed Extract: 25 mg
Red Wine Extract: 25 mg
Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol®): 40 mg
Bilberry Extract: 25 mg
Citrus Extract (Bioflavonoids): 25 mg
Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate): 15 mg.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): 200 mg.
Vitamin D3: 400 IU
Vitamin E Acetate: 33 mg.
Biotin: 150 mcg.
Calcium (Lactate): 400 mg.
Magnesium (Carbonate): 150 mg.
Potassium (Bicarbonate): 125 mg.

A New York Times article says that 500 mg/ day of Vitamin C can cause damage to genes. Other sources say too much calcium can lead to kidney damage and decreased absorption of other minerals. Too much magnesium can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Too much potassium can disrupt the heart's rhythm. Too much hyaluronic acid has been linked to cancer...(Of course, this refers to long term overdosing on these vitamins.)
It's all a matter of overdoing it. Nothing is a miracle cure and once you go above the RDA or Daily Value, you run the risk of having those same vitamins and minerals cause harm.
***Most of this information was taken from the national Institute of Health.

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