The Benefits Of Antioxidants For Preserving Good Health

Antioxidants protect the body from free radical damage that is caused by exposure to harmful chemicals. This includes environmental pollutants and chemicals that are ingested in packaged food and drinks that have preservatives, food colour, flavours and other additives. There are also chemicals that are a byproduct of normal metabolic processes. One of the greatest benefits of antioxidants is protecting the body against these chemicals.

Antioxidants can be found in food and supplements. Food sources include vitamins A and carotenoids related to it, vitamins C and E and selenium. They are also found in phytochemicals like quercetin, lycopene and lutein. Antioxidants are also effective for brain protection.

How Antioxidants Protect Brain Health

When the body is loaded with free radicals, it is said to have oxidative stress. With age, the body loses efficiency in removing these radicals resulting in damaged cells. One of the benefits of antioxidant supplements is that they counteract the unstable molecules that make up free radicals.

Scientific studies have shown that Antioxidants may reverse some symptoms of brain-centred diseases like memory loss. The brain uses a lot of oxygen for metabolic activity. This makes it more prone to attacks from free radicals. It is these attacks that cause memory loss.

Understanding The Benefits Of Antioxidants

It is important to understand the difference that antioxidants can make to preserving health and warding off illness including brain-centered conditions like Alzheimer's Disease.

• They help to prevent the accumulation of harmful free radicals.
• They counteract the molecules that make up free radicals.
• They help to prevent symptoms like memory loss caused by attacks by free radicals.

The Best Sources Of Antioxidants

Ideally, the food we eat contains all the nutrients the body needs and in sufficient quantities. The fact is that this is an ideal that is difficult to fulfil every day. The benefits of antioxidants can still be enjoyed by taking a supplement.

While research on antiox Antioxidants idants and supplements continue to be done, studies show that antioxidant supplements are beneficial. While those found naturally in food are best, artificial ones do make a difference in preserving overall good health. Taking them as prescribed and sticking to a diet made up of a bulk of organic fruits and vegetables works.