Experts agree that obtaining a variety of antioxidants through proper nutritional supplementation and dietary intake is vital to balancing a healthy life. The extremely high levels of polyphenols and free radical-fighting agents in antioxidants can play an important role in protecting cells and safeguarding overall health. Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation, destroy free radicals, reduce cellular damage and protects the body from damage caused by harmful molecules. Many of the vitamins we rely upon like vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene are all antioxidants. But there are other less popular antioxidants that are even more potent called the super antioxidants.

These super antioxidants, although not called vitamins because they aren't considered essential to life, are powerful weapons in our quest for optimum health.  There are literally hundreds of scientific studies that show that these super antioxidants can do everything from support heart health to improve normal vision and enhance normal brain function.

Oxidation in the body is a process similar to what happens to metal when it rusts, or to an apple when it turns brown after being cut. And just as a squeeze of lemon juice stops the oxidation of an apple, antioxidants stop the 'rusting' inside our bodies caused by free radicals. The word oxidation come from oxygen, an element that is essential to life, but can be harmful in some forms inside our bodies. A good oxygen molecule has its electrons paired up, making it stable. An unstable or harmful oxygen molecule that has a missing electron is termed as a 'free radical'.

Free radicals swarm the body and attach to other cells in an attempt to find another electron to become stable. In doing this, they can potentially cause destruction to cell membranes they attach to. This can accelerate premature aging and lead to certain ailments such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, and even cancer. Free radicals are all around us, in the air we breath, in the food we eat, and even as a natural product of living. In fact, free radicals are used by the immune system to fight off invading bacteria and viruses, but they can become a problem because of poor diet or exposure to a polluted environment.

It is the excessive free radicals not balanced properly with antioxidants, that do damage. Antioxidants directly combat free-radicals, mitigating their negative effects.The ideal body with the ideal nutrition in an ideal environment would have the ability to counteract the free radicals it produces, and keep them under control. Eating, along with normal metabolic processes, are responsible for a large percentage of the free radicals the body must deal with.

Free Radical Sources:

• Auto Exhaust

• Chlorinated Water

• Cigarette Smoke

• Cleaning Products

• Deodorant Sprays

• Excessive Sun Exposure

• Food Additives

• Fuels

• Herbicides

• Lack of Sleep

• Pesticides

• Poor Diet

• Prescription Drugs

• Radiation

• Rancid Oil

• Smog

• Spray Cans

• Stressful Lifestyles

• Toxic Fumes

• Water Pollution

• And Many Others
  
  
  

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