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How to Measure the Amount of Antioxidants in Vitamins

Reading supplement labels may seem confusing, but with this basic information under your belt, you will be able to distinguish and compare the varied amounts of antioxidants included in individual and multi-vitamin containers. According to Medline Plus, a health service of the federal government, "antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation." Fancy talk for: Everyone needs them, but even scientists disagree why.

Things You'll Need

  • Magnifying glass
  • Paper
  • Pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take a pencil, paper and magnifying glass to a supplier of supplements, either on the Web or brick-and-mortar. Reputable online providers will include the product's nutritive breakdown.

    • 2

      Use the following guidelines to compare product labels. Each nutrient has a measured analysis. The most commonly listed antioxidant vitamins are A, C and E. A and E are measured in International Units (I.U.). I.U.s are agreed-upon units that allow comparison of biological measurements worldwide. Vitamin C is measured in milligrams (mg). Antioxidant nutrients include beta carotene (I.U.), lutein (mg), lycopene (mg) and selenium, which is measured in micrograms (mcg).

    • 3

      Get your magnifying glass out and start comparing content between brands. Commercial supplements vary wildly in antioxidant content. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine. Use this as the lowest level you need to consume on a daily basis to stay alive. Manufacturers list the percentage of RDA across from the nutrient. It is sometimes indicated as "DV" for "daily value." For example, the bottle says: Vitamin C, 850 mg, 1417 percent. The RDA for non-smoking adult males is 90 mg and 75 mg for females. 850 mg would be approximately 10 times the minimum amount.

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