What are Antioxidants?
What are antioxidants and nutrients in food that help you stay to young? What is antioxidants and pro-oxidants relationship in the battle against free radicals? The nutrients in food contain the most compatible antioxidants for your body to use and absorb. Supplements that are not natural food sources can create pro-oxidants that are basically free radicals. What is antioxidants role? To keep free radicals and pro-oxidants from damaging your cells and aging you!
What are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants consist of a group of substances such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, enzymes, and amino acids that prevent cell oxidation and thus prevent damage to healthy cells.Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals before they do harm to our bodies. Free radicals are formed by our cells when we are exposed to radiation, chemicals, pollution, drugs, alcohol, pesticides, and various metabolic processes. Antioxidants work by donating an electron to convert free radicals to harmless molecules. This donation of an electron by antioxidants protects cells from oxidative damage that leads to aging and various diseases.
Health Benefits of Antioxidants
- Prevents heart disease
- Prevents cancer
- Sharpens your mind
- Increases energy levels
- Reduces blood pressure
- Slows the effects of aging
- Keeps your skin from wrinkling
- Extends your life
- Balances your mood
- Increases your sex drive
- Maintains your dental health
- Protects your liver
- Supports your immune system
What is Antioxidants relationship to a Pro-Oxidant?
Many substances are antioxidants, but not all antioxidants are created equal.Antioxidants that are made in our cells include enzymes and Glutathione. Other essential antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E, A and Selenium must come from our diets. Some antioxidants that use their electrons to neutralize a free radical becomes what is known as a pro-oxidant. Pro-oxidants induce oxidative stress and qualify as a type of free radical. Increased numbers of these increases your cellular distress. Studies show that different types of antioxidants can help each other. For example, Once Vitamin E becomes a free radical itself, Vitamin C can help Vitamin E to regenerate back into its Natural Antioxidant Form. By helping Vitamin E, vitamin C becomes a free radical and can be regenerated back into its natural form by the antioxidant Glutathione. Warning! Some people may have a problem taking high dosages of antioxidant supplements like ascorbic acid or Vitamin C because of its ability to become a pro-oxidant. Normal concentrations of Vitamin C in your body are considered antioxidants, but in higher concentrations this vitamin can become a Damaging Pro-oxidant.
Nutrients in Food are the Best Antioxidants
High antioxidant levels in supplements you consume don't necessarily translate into high levels found in the body.How much you benefit from antioxidants found in supplements will depend on how well your body can break down and absorb nutrients. The best way to create a solid antioxidant foundation is through the combination of a well balanced diet that includes whole foods rich in antioxidants and
Super Foods.
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