An often overlooked part of nutrition is synergism. Synergism is the principle that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. In other words, combining two nutrients that have health effects, produces a greater improvement in health than could be expected by the individual effects added together. Antioxidants often work synergistically in plants and animals. Therefore it may be better to take small amounts of many antioxidants than large amounts of a single antioxidant. This makes sense because small amounts of many antioxidants is exactly the way they are found in foods. Eating a varied and healthy diet not only provides foods that are likely to contain antioxidants, but it is also likely to provide a wide range of antioxidants. Many nutrients work synergistically, and the principle is best exemplified by the fact that a high quality and varied diet can supply significant health effects above that which could be shown for any individual nutrients, even when those individual effects are added together.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
