Health by Antioxidants

When it comes to health topics, antioxidants are nearly always on top of the list. That’s because these lifesavers have been getting a lot of attention for claims they don’t only fight cancer but are, in fact, essential for one to be generally healthy.

The term is related to the the process of oxidation which is technically defined as the combination of a substance with oxygen, thus changing that substance’ chemical structure. In our bodies, oxidation refers to the changes that our cells and tissues undergo as they react with whatever elements we are exposed to. The problem is when these changes turn for the worse.

As the term implies, antioxidants are substances that prevent oxidation from occurring. In terms of oxidation that happens in our bodies, what exactly then are these elements that cause such process to begin? The answer is free radicals. Free radicals could be anything we introduce to our body through ingestion, inhalation or absorption through our skin tissue. These substances are called free radicals because they are chemically predisposed to freely react with the oxygen in our body, thus setting off the process of oxidation and possibly causing us harm. Antioxidants are, thus, anything that fights this destructive process.

These days, many people develop health problems such as heart disease, macular degeneration and cancer as a result of oxidative damage. But they aren’t in a helpless situation. Researchers have been looking into the problems brought brought on by free radicals and they have come up with recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake – 5 servings a day is said to cut the risk for stroke by 25 percent. Of course, there are other sources of antioxidants such as coffee, tea, olive oil, artichokes, blueberries, red beans and many more. These foods actually contain nutrients that fight oxidation such as Vitamin E & C, beta-carotene, selenium, enzymes, coenzymes and phytochemicals. While each may work differently in fighting oxidation, they are all considered antioxidants. Hence, they block oxidative damage to cells and tissues, boost the immune system by keeping its organs free from oxidation and reduce the risk of cancer and infection.

Our bodies actually have their own natural antioxidant systems and because they block oxidation by neutralizing free radicals, they become oxidized as well. For this reason, we need to always supply our bodies with more antioxidants with the passing of time.