[acb-diabetics] too much of agood thing...

[Patricia LaFrance-Wolf]

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This article originally posted 21 October, 2009 and appeared in  

Issue 492

Antioxidants May Increase the Risk of Developing Diabetes 

 

"Superfood" supplements, thought to help fight cancer, may increase the risk
of developing diabetes and even shorten lifespan, scientists have revealed.

 

 

Research shows the supplements, known as antioxidants, may interfere with
blood glucose levels, which can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Antioxidants,

including vitamins A, C and E, and selenium are believed to "mop up"
cancer-causing compounds known as free radicals. 

 

However, In a recent published report, it showed low levels of these free
radicals appear to protect against diabetes by helping the body respond to
insulin

signals. Professor Tony Tiganis, an expert in cell biology at Australia's
Monash University who led the study, said: "We think there is a delicate
balance

and that too much of a good thing -- surprise, surprise -- might be bad." 

 

"I would advise people not to take these supplements because they could be
detrimental."

 

Prof. Tiganis's team carried out their research on mice but he said, "There
is other evidence antioxidants might be bad for you."   A recent study in
the

Journal Of The American Medical Association indicates regularly taking
antioxidant supplements may even shorten life.

 

It reviewed 68 studies on the use of antioxidant supplements in adults and
found that, apart from the mineral selenium and vitamin C, antioxidant
supplements

were associated with a "significantly" shorter lifespan. 

 

A spokeswoman for the Health Supplements Information Service said of the
diabetes study, "These findings are extremely preliminary and cannot be
extrapolated

to humans." She said evidence that antioxidants decrease life terms was not
consistent with other findings. 

 

But only last week in Belgrade, Serbia, the European Society Of
Gynaecological Oncology was told women who take large amounts of folate,
vitamin B2, B6

or B12 supplements increased their risk of womb cancer. A study of 23,000
women over 20 years showed that heavy consumers were twice as likely to
develop

the disease.

 

Dr. Stefano Uccella, an expert in gynaecological surgery from the Mayo
Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, found that while a folate intake of 200-600
micrograms

a day did have a protective effect, levels nearer 1,000 micrograms increased
the risk of uterine cancer. 

 

This research has implications for women's health if a U.K. government
proposal to fortify bread flour with folic acid is adopted in an attempt to
reduce

birth deformities. 

 

Yinka Ebo, health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said, "This
study of womb cancer in older women adds to the evidence that taking high
doses

of vitamin supplements can increase the risk of some types of cancer.  "The
best way to get the vitamins and minerals that you need is through a
balanced

diet and for most healthy people there should be no need to take
supplements.  "Some people are advised to take supplements and they should
follow medical

guidance and talk to their doctor if they are worried."

 

A spokesman for the Health Supplements Information Service said, "Folic acid
at the recommended daily amount of 400 micrograms is vital for pregnant
women

in protecting against abnormalities such as spina bifida which has been on
the increase."

 

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