Learn What Antioxidants
Do For You

Your body needs antioxidants.

They help protect the body from oxidant byproducts called free radicals that are created when you breathe in.

The term “free radicals” means groups of oxidants that damage cells, impair the immune system, and lead to degenerative disease like cancer.

This oxidation of a cell's DNA, fats, and proteins is like the air rusting your car over time. You don't notice it day to day, but it's happening.

Why Do You Need the
Benefits of Antioxidants?

Because you can’t stop free radicals from forming in your body.

They may be formed by:

• Exposure to the sun’s rays

• Exposure to radiation

• Exposure to cigarette smoke

• Exposure to polluted air

• Exposure to industrial and household chemicals

• Drinking alchohol

• Doing strenuous exercise

The body requires antioxidants every day to neutralize free radicals. They play a vital role in preventing disease and slowing the aging process.

How Exactly Do Antioxidants
Combat Free Radicals?

But this normal process produces free radicals---atoms or molecules that have unpaired electrons.

These unstable free radicals attack stable molecules to steal electrons. When the attacked molecule loses an electron, it too becomes a
free radical.

Healthy cells
become disrupted.

But, as you can see, antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals, giving them stability. This stops them from attacking healthy molecules.

Eating Antioxidant Foods

Considering that we live in an environment filled with free radicals, eating antioxidant foods provides inadequate protection.

And really, who eats healthy consistently? It's always a struggle to maintain good eating habits.

You can best combat free radicals by eating well and taking supplements. This provides an excellent defense.

Which Antioxidant Supplements?

Antioxidants work synergistically in fighting free radicals, so taking small doses of several different ones is the most effective strategy.

For example, beta-carotene by itself is excellent, but a mix of natural cartenoids provides more health benefits than beta-carotene alone.

Common antioxidants:

alpha lipoic acid, beta-carotene, bilberry, burdock, coenzyme Q10, curcumin, flavonoids, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, glutathione,
grape seed extract, green tea, melatonin, methionine, n-acetylcysteine, quercetin, resveratrol, selenium, silymarin,
vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc.

Avoid taking mega-doses of antioxidants. They can be harmful due to their potential toxicity and interactions with prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. Talk to your doctor to be safe.