subject: Antioxidants in Alternative Medicine – Scam or Not? [print this page] Antioxidants in Alternative Medicine Scam or Not?
Antioxidant rich essential oils, dietary supplements, and foods are constantly being recommended by alternative medicine practitioners. Have you even wondered why these experts are so enthusiastic about antioxidants?
Basically, the effectiveness of these substances is supposedly due to their alleged power to latch on to modified oxygen molecules which have the potential of harming normal body cells. These molecules are known by the ominous name of free radicals. The idea being that antioxidants are purposeful nutrients, having the power to moderate adverse bodily injury on a cellular level.
Supplementation with antioxidant rich dietary supplements is said to have potential applications against cancer, type-two diabetes, cholesterol caused heart disease, and arthritis. Sound too good to be true?
More supposed rewards of using antioxidants are easy to find, also driving alternative medicine to focus so intently on the use of antioxidant rich supplements and oils. For example, it is claimed that antioxidants reduce the risk of degenerative eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, and can greatly improve the health of the eyes.
Alternative medicine practitioners say that bodily toxins may be eliminated through massage, but the masses of free radicals attacking the body's cells daily would continue anyway. These modified oxygen molecules would not be avoided, so why not use preventive care instead?
Antioxidant rich foods are plentiful, and patients who are conscientious about their diet can choose olives, cherries, soy beans, blueberries and grapes to get the benefits of vitamin E, C, and A in addition to a wide assortment of antioxidants. Whole food sources are the best sources of natural antioxidants and also vitamins. Of course, how many consumers are going to stop eating refined foods and opt for the healthier, wholesome choices?
