Many Americans feel that large doses of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E can help to prevent disease, but, even though the scientific data show that lack of vitamins have a devastating effect on health, they do not show that large doses of vitamins prevent disease and prolong life. The chemical reactions that supply the energy for everything that goes on in your body produce oxidants that damage cells. The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E help to protect you from the harmful effects of oxidants.
Large doses have side effects.
A recent study from finland should that taking large doses of beta carotene, a precursor for vitamin A, increased a smoker's chances of developing lung cancer. Taking large doses of beta carotene increases a person's needs for vitamin E and can cause a relative vitamin E deficiency which increases a person's chances of developing cancer. You can meet your needs for vitamin E by taking nuts, seeds, shrimp or whole grains. I'm Dr. Gabe Mirkin on Fitness. Dr. Mirkin's opinions and the references cited are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe.