Antioxidant vitamins have fired quite a number of debates in the medical world. They have the reputation of fighting old age by preventing cellular decay associated with the release of free radicals. Antioxidant vitamins include beta carotene or a form of vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. Many people are now taking some antioxidant supplement either to stay in good shape and maintain youth or to fight cardio-vascular disease.

Medical precautions!

Antioxidant multi vitamin supplements used to be considered very healthy and effective in the fight against free radicals. With more recent discoveries, it seems that up to a point antioxidant multi vitamin products that contain vitamin A, E, C and minerals like zinc and selenium act against oxidation, but when there is over supplementation, they can actually make free radicals even more dangerous. Before you start using any form of supplements, you should first review your diet.

What are free radicals?

Natural vitamin supplements have gained prominence over the last decade becoming far more popular than synthetic multivitamins. The major differences between these two categories of supplements result from the way they are manufactured and the metabolism processes. Studies have revealed that synthetic vitamins are inferior because the body cannot assimilate the compounds properly. Much of a synthetic supplement will be eliminated through urine and stool. Another disadvantage of synthetic vitamins is that they consume essential chemicals from the body, depleting the system of other nutrients.

Eye vitamins include vitamins A, C, E, B2 and they usually work in combination with minerals like zinc and selenium. They help our eyes stay healthy for a longer period of time, not to mention that they also function for the prevention of many diseases. Eye vitamins are inexpensive and they are available as over the counter medication. Even so, the administration of eye vitamins and any other supplements should not be taken lightly because of the risks of side effects and possible other drug interferences.

Also known as niacin or nicotinic acid, vitamin B3 is one of the eight B vitamins. Like all the other vitamins in its category, vitamin B3 plays an important part in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. Without glucose, the body would not have any energy to perform common functions. Skin, hair, eyes, liver, nervous system and glands depend on the B complex for proper functioning.

The benefits of vitamin B3

Niacin regulates the secretion of stress-related hormones and sex hormones. It also plays an important part in the blood circulation and the reduction of the cholesterol levels.