Antioxidants and How They Affect You
Most people know that antioxidants are important for good health. But do you know exactly what they are and what they do?
By definition, antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation. To better understand oxidation, think of an apple that has turned brown from being cut open, or a piece of metal that has rusted. These are both examples of oxidation. From a scientific perspective, oxidation is simply the loss of electrons.
Free radicals, meanwhile, are single atoms with unpaired electrons, and they cause damage to cells. Cells that have been damaged by free radicals will not work the way they are meant to. For example, when free radicals damage skin cells, skin loses elasticity.
How Do Free Radicals Occur?
Some free radicals are naturally produced in the body. When made within the body, notall free radicals are bad. In fact, white blood cells, for example, use free radicals to fight disease.
However, environmental factors and poor lifestyle choices can lead to the development of too many free radicals, which can accelerate cell damage. Factors that contribute to free radical damage include:
- Pollution
- Pesticides
- Cigarette smoke
- Alcohol
- Fried foods
- Stress
- Excessive sun exposure
Fighting Free Radicals
To fight free radicals, our bodies need antioxidants. Think of antioxidants as the bodyguards for your cells, working to eliminate free radicals, thereby preventing cell damage and premature aging.
Finding Antioxidants
While it can be difficult to get enough antioxidants from food alone, there are numerous options for supplementing your diet with extra antioxidants. Some of these include Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Beta-Carotene, CoQ10, Melatonin, and Vitamins A, C, and E.
Would you like more information about supplementing with antioxidants? Contact Renew Youth at (800) 859-7511 today.
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