Getting your antioxidants from foods, not pills, may be a better health choice.

Antioxidants and nutrients from food work better than supplements to protect against heart disease, results from a new study confirm. While multivitamins can help you fill in the gaps where your diet falls short, nutrients in fresh fruits and vegetables work synergistically to promote health and prevent disease.

Mounting scientific evidence suggests that when it comes to promoting health and preventing cardiovascular disease, the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables work better together than they do alone. You should get your antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals from a variety of foods to ensure that you maximize your opportunities for disease prevention. However, this doesn't mean that you should ditch your daily multivitamin. Instead, consume at least 4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables per day to load up on antioxidants and phytochemicals necessary for optimal health, and take a daily multivitamin to fill in the gaps. Regular exercise, blood pressure control, managing high cholesterol, and a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats are all recommended for the prevention of heart disease.

RealAge Benefit: Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can make your RealAge 6 years younger.

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