Antioxidants

Free radicals are charged molecules that contain an unpaired electron. Being charged makes such molecules very reactive and unstable. By nature such molecules are always looking for a partner to bond with to fill the gap. This can result in harmful combinations of various organic molecules within the body. The primary cause of free radicals is the calorie burning process of various nutrients with oxygen, required for the life of body cells. Over time free radicals are created by calorie consumption and normal metabolism and are then increased by sunlight, exercise, injury, pollution, alcohol, and smoking. Also, many food materials, such as oxidized and hydrogenated oils, can significantly contribute to free radical buildup. Once inside the body, and if not cleaned up by anti-oxidants, free radicals can cause chain reactions over time, releasing tens of thousands more and doing serious damage. Anti-oxidants, sometimes called free radical “scavengers”, are various forms of foods, herbs, hormones or other substances that have the beneficial ability to cleanup the unwanted free radicals from the body. Many recent studies have implicated free radicals in the development of many health maladies including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even aging. Humans and other animals have efficient antioxidant enzyme systems which require various nutrients properly. Even with perfect health the enzyme systems never are able to completely remove all free radicals and over time the intruders do build up within the body, leading to various age related health problems. A regular consumption of anti-oxidants through proper diet and supplementation is essential in combating the free radical problem.