Knowledge about antioxidants

You may have heard the term "antioxidant" by chance, but know little about it. The term "antioxidant" is frequently used on the labels of many medications and health supplements to indicate that they have one or more medical benefits.

Antioxidants are molecules that help fight free radicals in the body. Antioxidants can be found in the foods we eat, especially fruits and vegetables. And some...defend his lifeVitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin C can also be used as antioxidants.

Free radicals vs. antioxidants

To help you better understand the importance of "antioxidants," you first need to understand what "free radicals" and "oxidative stress" are.

Free radicals are compounds produced during metabolism, and the body generates them daily. Free radicals are produced during exercise or when food is converted into energy. The amount of free radicals in the body determines whether they are beneficial or harmful to our health. In other words, an excess of free radicals can cause oxidative stress, a process that can lead to cell damage.

On the other hand, a balanced number of free radicals helps strengthen the immune system against infection. Another reason for an excessive number of free radicals in the body may be our exposure to various lifestyle and environmental factors, such as air pollution, radiation, viruses, and even alcohol consumption. For example, free radicals are also present in the skin. Pollution from strong light and smog, dust, and secondhand smoke can all cause a large number of free radicals to appear in the skin. These free radicals affect the skin's collagen levels, leading to signs of aging such as wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, and sagging. This is why strong antioxidants are needed in skincare products.

As mentioned earlier, an excess of free radicals can cause oxidative stress, leading to the death of living cells in the body. Therefore, research has linked oxidative stress to a variety of health problems, such as cardiovascular issues, eye degeneration, and age-related degeneration.

Although we humans have our own mechanisms to check for free radicals in our bodies, many factors can weaken our defense mechanisms.

Sources of antioxidants you should know

Antioxidant molecules help counteract oxidative stress in the body. They are abundant in the fruits and vegetables we eat.

More importantly, plants have been proven to contain high levels of antioxidants. Because plants are exposed to the sun all day, they produce a large number of free radicals. Therefore, they naturally secrete antioxidants called "phytochemicals" to combat these free radicals and prevent cell damage. Otherwise, without this protection, plants would slowly wither and die.

We also benefit from antioxidants called "phytochemicals" when we consume fruits, green vegetables, or whole grains. Most plant-based health supplements likely contain significant amounts of antioxidants because they are extracted from plants rich in phytochemicals. For example, some good plant-based supplements contain quercetin, astragalus, turmeric, and Kakadu plum.

Enzymes are another type of antioxidant, primarily produced from the proteins and minerals we ingest in our daily diet. Coenzyme Q10, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring nutrient found in many foods. Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage and playing an indispensable role in metabolic processes.

Finally, some specific vitamins can also act as antioxidants, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, and beta-carotene. Unfortunately, the human body cannot naturally produce antioxidant vitamins. We must rely on the intake of vitamins from daily food or vitamin supplements.

Vitamins A and C are powerful antioxidants that help boost immunity and fight infection. Vitamin A can also improve eye health and repair tissues damaged by oxidative stress.

Some skincare products also contain vitamin E. Vitamin E is a very effective antioxidant for the skin. It can not only improve skin condition but also protect the skin from UV damage.

Conclusion

Eating foods rich in antioxidants helps protect us from disease. It's important to include healthy dark green vegetables and fruits in your daily diet.

For individuals lacking certain nutrients or unable to maintain a healthy diet, taking low-dose antioxidant supplements can be beneficial for boosting health. This article can serve as a basic guide for choosing and identifying your first antioxidant supplement.