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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

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Australian Prescriber Vol. 22 No. 6 1999

Antioxidant nutrients

Oxidation is part of the body's defence against infection. Too much oxidation may lead to heart disease or cancer. To keep healthy, oxidation is balanced by antioxidants. These antioxidants are found in food and include substances such as vitamins and selenium. The way antioxidants work is complex and not fully understood. To stay healthy, the body may need a variety of antioxidants acting together. A healthy diet with lots of variety is a good source of antioxidants. Fresh fruit and vegetables are particularly important and also have other benefits such as containing a lot of fibre. Taking antioxidant supplements will not make up for a bad diet. These supplements may also lack the variety and complexity of the nutrients in food. Although antioxidants are found in the body, they can cause adverse effects. Taking lots of supplements is therefore not recommended.