The Importance of Antioxidants

Everywhere a person looks there is something about the importance of antioxidants. Television, magazines, internet, even the grocery store has advertising about antioxidants. Foods have antioxidants added, as well as shampoos, conditioners, and skin care products. Walking down the aisle in the grocery store one can even find antioxidants added to children’s cereal.

So just how important are antioxidants? They are extremely important because they are compounds that help protect the body against problems created by stress, poor diet, and environmental pollutants. They help protect our immune systems.

In order to understand antioxidants it is important to understand oxidative stress and free radicals. Oxidative stress is the effect of oxidation where unstable molecules such as free radicals lead to cellular damage. This is why it is so important to control the free radicals in the body. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect our bodies from the abundance of free radicals. This is done by the antioxidants giving the free radicals the oxygen molecule that is missing, thus making them stable. Antioxidants remove or neutralize this effect. Free radicals form in the body in response to stress, poor diet, aging, smoking, toxins, and pollutants in the air we breathe. Stress can be mental or physical, and even exercising can increase the free radical formation.

Free radicals damage DNA. Sometimes free radicals are beneficial. In desired amounts they can help fight infections and decrease the amount of cancer cells. They start to harm the body when they get out of control by multiplying or occurring in large amounts. The abundance of free radicals can lead to several health issues like atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, immune deficiencies, cancer, premature aging, and other problems.

As already mentioned, antioxidants are added to food and other products, which is important, but it is necessary to also eat foods that are rich in antioxidants. Colorful fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants because that is what gives them the colors. Berries are an excellent source of antioxidants - cranberries, blueberries, and bilberries. Herbs such as schizandra, rosemary, and turmeric have great antioxidant capabilities. The mineral selenium together with vitamin E is another great antioxidant combination. Vitamins C and Beta Carotene are vitamins that are excellent antioxidants.

Phytonutrients are plant based nutrients that have power antioxidants. There is a wide range of reasons as why to eat a variety of colors from the produce aisle. Among the fact that fruits and vegetables are relatively fat free, salt free, and great means of getting fiber, they also have phytonutrients that we need to help protect our bodies. Carrots and cantaloupes are a great source of vitamin A. Vitamin A helps maintain eye health and with the body’s immunity. Bananas and spinach are a source of potassium that is necessary for proper nerve and muscle function. Broccoli and asparagus are excellent sources of the B vitamins that help convert food into energy. Phytonutrients are contained in all fruits and vegetables, and can help protect the body’s vital organs which include the eyes, heart, lungs, liver, skin, and etc.

Antioxidants should be used as team rather than by themselves. Combinations are much more effective than a single antioxidant. When the immune function is damaged by free radicals, a team of antioxidants are needed to help fight off the free radicals and give the immune system a boost. For example, a team of schizandra berries, vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and the mineral selenium will help protect the cells of the body.

Keep in mind that taking only one antioxidant or an abundance of one, and not keeping them in well balance is not beneficial and may cause harm. This is another reason why it is so important to have a well rounded regiment of antioxidants. Taking supplements will help ensure that our bodies are getting the vital nutrition that it needs by helping to fill in the nutritional gaps that are needed in our diets. With the flu season upon us it is even more important to have our immune systems in the best condition possible.