The benefits of antioxidants

by Haiyan Lai-Heskin

Supplements containing antioxidants give the promises to the consumers to slow aging is undeniably irresistible. We can only conclude that the desire to avoid the effects of aging is a universal desire.

Vitamins that have been particularly noted for their antioxidant properties include Vitamins A, C, and E. Aside from the fact that these are a wound to the pocket, antioxidant products offer a delight to those who would like to look young in a flash. But how does this free-radical sponge really work?

Free radicals are molecular species that are highly reactive first identified by Moses Gomberg in 1900. They are known as “reactive oxygen species”, or ROS. As the cells produce energy (for function and survival), the also create oxygen molecules that are unstable because its electrons are unpaired. These unpaired electrons make this thing to be highly labile.

Free radicals are produced naturally by many cellular processes, but more importantly, their output can be greatly increased by exposure to environmental factors such as pollution, tobacco smoke and radiation. They may cause cell damage which may lead to a breakdown in your cells ability to function properly.

If we persistently have stress and do not take them away by way of exercise, we give way to the formation of free radicals. If we dont have a good sleep at least seven hours, we are actually exciting production of more free radical.

Free radicals cause damange to healthy cells and are associated with signs of premature aging, they hurt the body by initiating chain reactions of electron scavenging that damage the body’s cells. All these damages would mount up and cause our body to accelerate aging.

Free radical are detrimental to our body,as the same logic that oxidation damages metals. Upon breathing, oxygen induces a process called oxidation. And it is in here where free radicals form. This process is likened to the oxidation of metals. Once oxidized, aluminum turns to be white, iron becomes rusty, and copper transforms into green.

Antioxidants help to solve the problems listed above by mopping up the free radicals in the system, and having extra electrons that they are willing to give up to the free radicals, but the antioxidants do not become free radicals themselves in doing so.

Antioxidants are a class of nutrients that protect the body from damage caused by different factors, most importantly oxidative damage caused by free radicals. It helps preventing oxidation, may increase immune responses, and possibly decrease risk of infection and cancer.

These substances also prevent glaucoma and the age-related degeneration of our macula, the part of the eye that is dedicated for superior acuity vision. Antioxidants also beat down the passing of the aging clock making your skin and other organs rejoice.

Glutathione are naturally present in our body since we were young but depletes as we get older, is said to be the most powerful among all forms of antioxidants. Supplements like Vitamin A, E, C and selenium, are known to be powerful antioxidants, but antioxidants are also found abundantly in fruits and vegetables.

Don’t believe in antioxidant supplements? Then take the advantage of eating solid vegetables and fruits such as blueberry and raspberry which are said to contain the most number of antioxidants.

As you have the current understanding of antioxidants as reducing agents that break oxidative chain reactions, often by scavenging reactive oxygen species before they can cause damage to the cells, no wonder those magic tablets in such high demanding.

About the Author:
Haiyan Lai-Heskin has been a registered nurse for 16 years. She believes that to beat down the passing of the aging clock, you need the help of High Antioxidants. Learn more about Antioxidant Supplements… You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.

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