We have all heard of antioxidants and how good they are for our health.  While it is true that antioxidants are good for our health, many of us don’t understand why?  Read along with me as I describe antioxidant activity, so that you can understand why it is essential for your good health. 

What is an Antioxidant?

Antioxidants are natural compounds; this means they are found in nature.  Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals.  What does this mean?  I will start by explaining what a free radical is, so you can comprehend antioxidant activity.  A Free radical is an atom or molecule, usually oxygen that is missing an electron (negatively charged particle).  This free radical is a highly reactive atom because it needs an electron to make it stable.

Where do Free Radicals come from?

Some free radicals are produced in your body by normal body processes such as metabolism.  Free radicals can be aggravated by stress. The more reactive and harmful free radicals are produced by many external factors including pollution, radiation and pesticides.

What do Free Radicals Do?

In your body, a free radical goes around looking for an electron and steals it from your cells.  This is damaging to your cells and if there are many free radicals in your body this will cause a great deal of harm and eventually lead to poor health.   Free radicals impair our immune system which can lead to infections, cancers and auto-immune diseases including Crohn’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid arthritis.  Free radicals are also responsible for degenerative diseases such as coronary heart disease and osteoarthritis.  Recent research has determined that free radicals are responsible for the aging process.

How do Antioxidants work?

Antioxidant activity is quite remarkable in that antioxidants give free radicals an electron that they so desperately need to become stable, meanwhile the antioxidants themselves remain stable.  Some antioxidants are generated in your body.  These antioxidants are called free radical scavengers, and as their name indicates they will travel inside your body neutralizing radicals as they come upon them.  Antioxidants are also found in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.  For a diet high in antioxidants some choices can include tomatoes, red peppers, berries (blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and cranberries) red grapes and pomegranate. 

When to Supplement with antioxidants?

Even though your body produces some antioxidants, and you get more from your diet, these are often not sufficient to neutralize the number of free radicals in your body.  As you age, your body becomes less efficient at producing its own antioxidants.  When your lifestyle does not provide enough antioxidants it is necessary for you to supplement with natural health products.  Vitamins A, C, and E have potent antioxidant activity. The supplement CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps maintain cardiovascular health.  Melatonin, a hormone produced in your body that helps regulate your circadian clock, also has strong antioxidant activity. Melatonin has a great advantage over many other antioxidants because it can cross the blood brain barrier and eliminate free radicals found in your brain.

Do not allow free radicals to damage your cells leading to disease and the destruction of your body.   Keep your body healthy and be sure to supplement your diet with antioxidants.

Tags: antioxidant, free radicals