Do specially formulated multivitamins with ingredients like green tea or lycopene offer added benefits?
If it doesn’t have a recommended DV, it shouldn’t be included in your vitamin. Some “bonuses” may do more harm than good. For example, studies from the American Heart Association suggest that taking antioxidants like beta-carotene in supplement form can actually increase disease risk, or at the very least, offer no protection. Researchers believe that antioxidants in foods work together to create a delicate balance. Taking high doses of a single antioxidant throws off this equilibrium, preventing each from doing its job properly. The benefits of drinking green tea or eating lycopene-rich tomatoes, on the other hand, look promising. Skip the extra supplements, and spend the money you save on natural antioxidant sources, such as bags of dried blueberries, cranberries, or soy nuts to stash in your purse or desk drawer. Avoid vitamins that address “special needs”-those for carb-restrictive diets or “active” lifestyles, for example. These are often the result of targeted marketing. Q: Do mu
