Jump to full article: UPI, 2009-05-05
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Intro: Children exposed to cigarette smoke have lower levels of anti-oxidants, which help the body defend against biological stresses, U.S. researchers said.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York looked at the levels of anti-oxidants vs. the amount of smoke exposure in more than 2,000 children and teens ages 6 and 18 in the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The study, presented at the Pediatric Academic Society Meeting in Baltimore, showed that secondhand smoke exposure is associated with lower levels of anti-oxidants in children.
"We don't know enough yet to say that this group of children need supplements to make up for the anti-oxidants they're losing, but it's always wise to feed children an abundance of fruits and vegetables high in anti-oxidants and other healthy nutrients," Dr. Karen Wilson said in a statement.
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