Re: Antioxidant Pills Questioned, Again

[Guest guest]

To reinforce what Francesca is saying, I don't believe blindly taking

supplements is ever a good idea.

Supplements are useful to avoid deficiencies. I personally did some

selective supplementation early on in my journey to an improved diet, but

ultimately was able to cover basic nutrition based on dietary analysis

software (DWIDP) with real foods which are likely to provide additional

poorly understood nutrients.

Mega dosing with anti-oxidants for example is still a subject of debate.

Perhaps harmless for water soluble vits

but I advocate a focus on whole real foods.

JR

-----Original Message-----

From: Francesca Skelton [mailto:fskelton@...]

Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 8:47 AM

support group

Subject: [ ] Antioxidant Pills Questioned, Again(was:

bloated feeling)

Jun wrote:

" i also need to get over that " feeling " because i've backed off taking my

multi-vitamins, which i know are an important part of CRON. " ........

____________________________________

Actually vitamins are becoming more controversial: at worst causing harm,

at best a waste of money. Just today this article (and also scientific

studies that have been posted here) came out in the Washington Post:

By January W. Payne

A new analysis of published studies concludes that antioxidant supplements

may not provide protection against several cancers -- and could increase the

risk of death.

[Guest guest]

>

> " i also need to get over that " feeling " because i've backed off

taking my

> multi-vitamins, which i know are an important part of

CRON. " ........

> ____________________________________

>

> Actually vitamins are becoming more controversial: at worst

causing harm,

> at best a waste of money. Just today this article (and also

scientific

> studies that have been posted here) came out in the Washington

Post:

>

> By January W. Payne

>

> A new analysis of published studies concludes that antioxidant

supplements

> may not provide protection against several cancers -- and could

increase the

> risk of death.

Ive gone with a mostly vegiterean diet consuming 10-15 servings of

fruits and vegetables a day. I eat red meat maybe once a week now,

and fish once a day.

My supplementation is a calcium pill every other day,

two lecithin pills 1 a day,

a multi hi in the B-vitamins 1 a day,

a swig of norwegian cod oil 1 per day,

and vitamin c several times per day (4-10) 500mg.

My rationale is I get a small amount of iron in the multi which

offsets my green tea consumption (10 cups a day)

Calcium since my milk intake is about an 8 ounce glass a day.

Lecithin for choline and ps.

Norwegian cod oil for healthy fats and omega 3s.

Vitamin C because even with my fruit intake my body seems to love it.

(Im a smoker working on quitting ! I know I know)

I lift weights 3 times per week and run or hike 3-4 times.

I eat 2-3 apples, 2 kiwis, 2 servings of carrots, 1 serving of

beans, 1 serving of corn, 1 orange (3 times a week I eat a teaspon

off zest or include orange peel in my tea) I go through 2 bundles of

celery a week, 8 tomatoes, 1 head of dark green lettuce a week, 2-4

servings of spinach a week, 1 bunch of banannas, 1 bunch of grapes,

and the rest is rounded out with other seasonal fruits or vegetables

available in Hawaii

protein sources include Cottage Cheese, Beans & Corn, tuna or

salmon, fresh sushi or poke, and red meat (less that 12 ounces a

week), and 1 glass of milk a day, and whole eggs

The more I have increased the fruits and veggies the less my

digestive system and taste buds seem to like red meat.

I often add fresh mint, cloves, and cinammon to my tea which I

usualy drink unsweetend, unless after running when I will add honey.

Most of my foods are deliberately nutrient dense, but the vitamins

and supplements seem to be good insurance for gaps, and keep me at a

steady state. I think supplements in moderation on top of sound

nutrition make for a good insurance plan and help adress any

temporary deficiencies. It frees you somewhat to eat for mood and

enjoyment, from wholesome foods of course, without painstakingly

having to select foods to ensure proper balance.

For those practicing rigorous CRON supplements may very well be

neccessary to ensure average nutrient levels remain steady. I do

feel though that in most cases the proper source of nutrients is

from good wholesome food:)