Hello,
I would like to ask for your opinion on an excerpt from a text by Dr. Jan Pláteník:
Dietary supplementation with antioxidants is clearly beneficial only in the case of a previous deficiency; otherwise, it is either ineffective or even harmful. A recent, exceptionally extensive meta-analysis of overall mortality in 68 studies on the administration of antioxidant dietary supplements (232,606 participants, 385 publications) concluded that carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E significantly increase mortality, while vitamin C and selenium have no effect.
I'm confused by this - I take supplements and the mortality rates alarmed me (I don't think I suffer from a deficiency).
Thank you.
This opinion, supported by the cited study, is relatively strong evidence that the consumption of isolated forms of antioxidants does not have a significant positive impact on our health. The reason for this is their isolation, which results in a pro-oxidative effect that leads to increased production of free radicals. Therefore, it is advisable to prefer blends in dietary supplements, always of natural origin (extracts, etc.).
Themes: Antioxidants Supplementation Vitamin C
Questions answered by
Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system
Nutrition educator, lecturer, and author of the educational system and the ZOF learning application.
Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.
He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.
In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.