Juliet Cohen

Antioxidant Benefits

Antioxidants work in several ways: First, they may reduce the energy of the free radical.

Antioxidants provide a layer of protection for the cells and tissues of the body, just as a thick coat of wax helps protect a car's finish. Specifically, antioxidants protect against free radical damage. Antioxidants are substances consumed in foods and dietary supplements which help to reduce and even prevent the formation of destructive chemicals in the body called free radicals. Free radicals attack the systems of the body even to the DNA level leaving us less able to fight off the effects of disease and aging. 

Second, they may stop the free radical from forming in the first place. Antioxidant-rich food may help prevent various cancers, heart disease, and diseases of aging. Vitamins found in supreme antioxidant are vitamins C, E and A. These vitamins work in concert with each other and the other ingredients of supreme antioxidant to provide a powerful formulary in combating free radicals. Vitamins C and E, carotenoids (including beta-carotene), and the mineral selenium are all powerful antioxidants found in food. Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin, is also known as ascorbic acid. Most of the vitamin C in the diet (90%) comes from fruits and vegetables.

However, since vitamin C is water soluble, cooking can destroy the vitamin C in a food. Vitamin E, for instance, has a stronger effect when it's obtained in a tomato rather than alone. The benefits of antioxidant vitamins are certainly not inclusive only with cancer prevention. The benefits of antioxidant vitamins also include heart protection, especially with natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, organosulfurs, isoflavones, and sterols. Certain flavonoids, found in both black and green tea, dark chocolate, onions, red wine or red grape juice, and apples, appear to have the strong heart protective benefits of antioxidant vitamins.

Vitamin E, also known as alpha tocopherol, is a fat. Because vitamin E is found in oils, people who ensue a low-fat diet may not get enough. Beta-carotene is a member of the carotenoid family. Beta-carotene is a conditionally essential nutrient, but when one's intake of vitamin A is low, beta-carotene becomes an essential nutrient, meaning that it must be obtained from food and cannot be manufactured by the body. Selenium is an essential trace mineral. The amount of selenium found in food is directly related to the amount of selenium in the soil in which the food was grown. It is necessary for healthy immune function.

Article Tags: Free Radicals, Antioxidant Vitamins

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