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Are Antioxidant Vitamins As Good As They Say They Are?Vitamin E, Vitamin C and beta-carotene are considered antioxidant vitamins. They offer a wide range of health benefits. Research on the benefits of antioxidants remains incomplete. However, 30 percent of Americans are already supplementing their diets with antioxidant vitamins. Antioxidants are believed to be useful in preventing a coronary condition called atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. The condition occurs due to fatty deposits in the arteries. The fats accumulate due to oxidation of the bad cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Antioxidant vitamins are said to be extremely helpful in preventing the oxidation of LDL, and consequently, preventing clogging of arteries by fat deposits. However, recent research indicates that there is no link between antioxidant vitamins and prevention of coronary disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) does not recommend using antioxidant vitamins to prevent coronary disease until research can conclusively show their beneficial impact on the reduction of LDL. However, AHA states that diets that are high in antioxidant vitamins help prevent cardiovascular disease. Diets that are low in trans-fats, saturated fats and cholesterol supply more than enough antioxidant vitamins to the body. This is not to say that antioxidant vitamins should not be considered in skin care, only that they should not be used strictly to prevent heart disease. Also Read: |