You are probably familiar with antioxidants and how they can benefit the body. But if you are asked to define antioxidants, would you be able to come up with the answer? You probably have the general idea but to precisely define antioxidants is another thing.

You are probably familiar with antioxidants and how they can benefit the body. But if you are asked to define antioxidants, would you be able to come up with the answer? You probably have the general idea but to precisely define antioxidants is another thing.

Define Antioxidants: What are they?

When you define antioxidants, it is important to keep in mind that they are chemical substances found in nature. To define antioxidants, you should know that they are a group of vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A (beta-carotene), etc. and nutrients like selenium, lutein, and lycopene.

Several scientists are trying to define antioxidants for the past decade. Ever since they discovered the link between free radicals and degenerative diseases such as cancer, research has been focused on how to define antioxidants and the role they play in all this.

Define Antioxidants: Functions

Oxygen damage (oxidation) to your cells results when there are too many free radicals present inside the body. Researchers surmise that such damage may be partly responsible for the effects of aging and certain diseases. When they define antioxidants, scientists have discovered that the certain substances in food may play a role in protecting against this damage.

As part of their normal function, cells make toxic molecules called free radicals. A free radical is a damaged molecule – that is, it is missing an electron. Because the free radical wants its full complement of electrons, it reacts with other molecules and in so doing, steals an electron from them. This leads to damage to cells which may in turn lead to serious chronic diseases. Define antioxidants that occur naturally in the body and certain foods may block this damage. Define antioxidants do this by donating electrons to stabilize and, in effect, neutralize the harmful effects of the free radicals.

Define Antioxidants: Supplements

Even though most damage caused by free radicals is repaired, a fraction may still remain. This is not at all helped when we constantly expose ourselves to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and airborne pollutants such as cigarette and smoke.

Eventually, the damage may overwhelm the body’s natural defenses so that not even intake of antioxidants from our diet can protect against damages. Soon, our bodies develop reactions that accumulate overtime, like aging or chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and more. By consuming antioxidant vitamins, these diseases may be prevented.

If you want to learn more about how to define antioxidants, ask your doctor the following questions:

• Which fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C or carotenoids?
• Would you recommend taking antioxidant supplements?
• If so, what doses?