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Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that literally prevent oxidation. Oxidation can lead to cellular damage, aging and degradation. Imagine butter left outside on a sunny day, the fats will oxidise, becoming rancid. The butter has gone off and the structure damages, antioxidants protect the cells in the body from doing the same.
Antioxidants can include vitamins and mineral such as vitamin C and A and Selenium but also substances from plants called phytonutrients such as anthocyanidins from fruits such as berries. New antioxidant substances are being discovered all the time.
One of the main functions of antioxidants in the body is to neutralise free radicals. Free radicals are reactive compounds that are created in the body as a normal part of body metabolism or also may be introduced into the body from the environment for example smoking or pollution.
Free radicals have and odd number of electrons so are always looking for a partner electron to create a balance. In doing so they will take an electron from another compound resulting in the creation of another unbalanced free radical. This domino effect continues as the free radicals continue "bumping" into other cell components. Thus producing an ever increasing number of free radicals.
Antioxidants are the body's defence mechanism. Unfortunately today we are exposed to a greater risk of free radical damage than our predecessors; our diets also do not provide us with enough nutritional support. Foods, especially fresh fruit and vegetables are some of the best sources, the brighter the colours and the greater the mix of colours you consume, the better for your health. Government guidelines advise us to eat at least 5 portions of fresh fruit and vegetables daily, many authorities believe we should actually consume 9 -10 portions to help provide optimum health.
A few antioxidants
Vitamin E – always try and take a complete vitamin E complex providing tocopherols and tocotrienols to give the balance of vitamin E found in nature.
Beta Carotene - a well known antioxidant to help protect the skin and the eyes.
Selenium – an important mineral that plays a role in the production of the antioxidant enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase. This enzyme helps prevent fats oxidising in the body.
Lycopene – a phytonutrient found in tomatoes, research suggests it may play a role in the health of the prostate.
Co Q 10 – a co enzyme that helps reactivate other antioxidants such as vitamin C and E plus plays its own role as an antioxidant especially for the cardiovascular system.
Many fruits provide us with a rich array of antioxidants not found in other foods. Antioxidant rich fruits include Goji berries, Blueberries and Aronia Berries, these are often called "super foods". You can often find the fruits but if not there are many supplements providing a source of these nutrients.
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