Antioxidants Are Double-Edged Sword

You can find antioxidant supplements and enriched foods at any grocery store, but recent research indicates that the body needs certain levels and types of free radicals to perform its biochemical reactions. Case in point: Scientists at Cornell University have reported that higher-than-normal amounts of selenium may promote the development of type II diabetes. Mice which were given elevated levels of a selenium-dependent antioxidant enzyme developed difficulties in insulin control, which led to problems regulating blood sugar. So, while oxidation may be associated with tissue damage, it appears that neutralizing too many free radicals interferes with healthy body function. It's something to think about before you reach for a multivitamin or supplement...