Until clinical studies can clarify and confirm the benefit from taking antioxidant supplements, health professionals would be irresponsible in recommending them. Diets high in fruits, vegetables, and grains have been associated with reduced risk for life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. This benefit is attributed to the ability of antioxidants to neutralize damage-causing free radicals. E. However, foods deliver thousands of chemicals, and researchers must be careful in giving credit for a particular benefit to any one nutrient. Antioxidant nutrients behave differently at various levels of intake.
Vitamin toxicity is a risk.
The long-term consequences of taking large amounts of antioxidants are not known. The Food and Drug Administration and the National Academy of Sciences have stated that they do not recommend increases in vitamins C and E and beta-carotene and believe more complete antioxidant research is needed. The best way to supplement antioxidant nutrients is to eat five generous servings of fruits and vegetables daily, especially citrus fruits and green and yellow vegetables. J.E. O'Flaherty and P.L. Pirie. By providing their patients and parents with information and guidance about prevention of drowning, pediatricians could save children's lives.