Medical researchers seem to be finding new benefits daily from the powerful antioxidants vitamin C and E. A new study says the supplements may help prevent asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Examining both smokers and non-smokers, the Cornell University study found the difference between people with above-average levels of major antioxidants and those with below-average levels "is about equivalent to the difference between the lung function of non-smokers versus those who've smoked a pack a day for 10 years."
In addition to vitamins E and C, researchers looked at the effect of the antioxidants beta carotene and selenium. The heavier the smoker, the less protective beta carotene was, the study found; for heavy smokers, beta carotene offered almost no protection while selenium was shown to be more protective for smokers than non-smokers.
"The antioxidants Vitamin C and E were found to be equally protective of both groups," a Cornell statement said. "The beneficial effects of each antioxidant remained significant even when all the antioxidants were considered together."
