Staying healthy is a difficult thing for many people to do. Our lives are very demanding and there are so many things that just have to get done every day that there is sometimes no time left to think about doing what is best for our bodies. Antioxidants can do many different things for the body and there are also many ways they can help improve health. Here is some more information about the impact of antioxidants on the body.
An antioxidant is basically a molecule that slows down the process of oxidation in the body and in other cells. Oxidation is the process by which cells and molecules degrade by giving off electrons that are lost in chemical reactions. These free electrons that become loose because of oxidation are known as free radicals. They are not attached to any cell or molecule in particular and can do a great deal of damage to cells and to the body in general. The body can handle some free radicals by absorbing them whenever possible but there are times when they can get out of control and the body is unable to deal with all of them on its own. Free radicals can start chain reactions inside the body that can damage tissue and are blamed for many illnesses and other problems that people have. Antioxidants are important because they combat free radicals and help the body deal more efficiently with them. They terminate the chain reactions that can be caused by free radicals by absorbing the extra electrons and keeping other oxidation processes from beginning. Oxidation is necessary for life but can be damaging and this is why many plants and animals have developed complex processes to control them.
Antioxidants are either water or lipid soluble and can be absorbed into the body in various ways. Many people say that the darker the color of the food, the better it is for you. This is true in some cases because antioxidant rich foods are usually dark, green, leafy vegetables and other foods and vegetables are also rich in antioxidants. Some of the most common and most important antioxidants are vitamins that are familiar to most people. Some of the most common are Ascorbic acid (also known as Vitamin C), Glutathione, Lipoic acid, and Uric acid. Ascorbic Acid or vitamin C is found in many different fruits and vegetables and is most commonly known to be abundant in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. It is important to us because it can’t be made by humans in the body and so has to be taken in through the diet. It is a reducing agent and can help stop and inhibit the chain reactions that are caused by free radicals. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is water soluble and can be absorbed easily through the stomach. Melatonin is another important antioxidant that is useful in the blood and brain. It is referred to as a terminal (or suicidal) antioxidant because it cannot be reduced or oxidized further when it has reacted with free radicals. Vitamin E is also a common antioxidant and is soluble in lipids (fats) in the body. It is said to be the most important fat soluble antioxidant and protects cell membranes from reacting with free radicals. Antioxidants are very important to help the body fight off disease and other health problems.
________
Eric Glenn is the successful owner of several global health businesses and regularly advises clients and customers about health and creating a global business. Eric strongly recommends health supplements that include antioxidants to help boost your immune system and protect from free radicals. To learn more about these supplements visit http://www.ericglenn.com or his health supplements website http://www.synergyteamglobal.com.
Add A Comment