Antioxidants exacerbate Diabetes

Antioxidants are substances known as antidote to all kinds of diseases. But this is not true for diabetes. Researchers from Australia found the consumption of antioxidant supplements aggravate the risk of diabetes.

Antioxidants are bio active compounds that function to counteract the free radicals cause many diseases such as cancer. Consumers believe that by consuming antioxidants, the body will be spared from the disease. But researchers found the facts proved the opposite.

"In this study we have done, just not a good antioxidant for type 2 diabetes and also exacerbate the disease," said Tony Tiganis of Monash University, Australia as reported by Reuters on Wednesday (7/10/2009).

Antioxidants are compounds that can prevent cell damage caused by reactive particles of reactive oxygen. The existence of these particles cause oxidative stress processes that can lead to various diseases in the body.

Cell Metabolism in the Journal noted that diabetes can occur when a person consuming antioxidants too much.

"Antioxidants have long been recognized as a substance that can fight disease, so many are taking in supplement form. But those who frequent such supplements actually increase the risk of diabetes. It's a little confusing, but that's a fact that we found in the field," said Tiganis.

Tiganis and colleagues studied the effects of oxidative stress in rats fed fat diet for 12 weeks. Mice used consists of two distinct groups. One of the group 2 animals were Gpxl enzyme deficiency, an enzyme that helps fight the oxidation process.

After 12 weeks, researchers found that mice that lack the enzyme to produce the hormone insulin Gpxl a bit. This is an early sign of diabetes. But when researchers tried to give the mice with antioxidants, insulin levels decreased even more and become more diabetes.

Tiganis said that the actual process of oxidative stress trigger the disease by inhibiting the enzyme Gpxl work, not by destroying the body cells.

Inhibition of enzymes working Gpxl make the body unable to use insulin more to describe the excess sugar. Thus, the system will be disturbed metabolism and body protection system from disease is reduced. And the addition of antioxidant protection system actually aggravate the already troubled body was.

"Antioxidants can cause the body immune to insulin, so the intake of sugar entering the body can not be broken down by insulin resistance and diabetes risk was increasing," explained Tiganis.

Negative effects of excess use of antioxidants in the body has become a controversy until now. Several other studies have mentioned that the antioxidant does not have a significant effect on the body, even the mention of antioxidants may shorten the age of worms and humans.

"I believe a person can be healthy only with the consumption of healthy foods and exercise, do not have any antioxidant supplements. We may never know the doses that we drink, and all that excess is not good for the body," said Tiganis.