Antioxidant Supplements: How Do They Benefit Your Health?
Posted Dec 15 2009 12:00am
As we grow older and are exposed to external factors like pollutants, radiation and chemicals, our bodies accumulate more damage resulting from the proliferation of free radicals. These molecules are also produced as a normal byproduct of our body's metabolic processes. They carry single, unpaired electrons that are like bad guys on a rampage, attacking other molecules to rob them of their electrons by a process known as oxidation.
This starts a chain reaction that damages cell membranes, proteins and DNA, creating massive oxidative damage to the cell. To some extent, our bodies have the resources to arrest and repair some of this damage. But as we grow older, it accumulates causing aging, wrinkles, inflammation and diseases like cancer, dementia and heart disease.
Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals and stop the chain reaction. When present in sufficient amounts, they can combat and reverse some of these harmful effects. That's why antioxidants have been found to be of benefit in many diseases ranging from Parkinson's disease to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.
In fact, antioxidants can benefit even a healthy person and help them combat the damage caused by substances and processes that generate free radicals in the body. Here are some of the documented ways that a good antioxidant supplement can help you.
* Protects cells from oxidative damage
* Slows the aging process
* Heals inflammation and joint pain
* Boost immunity and prevent autoimmune diseases
* Prevent cancer
* Prevent heart disease
So how do antioxidants do all these things?
By mopping up free radicals, antioxidants can prevent oxidative damage due to UV radiation, sun exposure, pollution, pesticides, cigarette smoke and other modern environmental stressors. Since we are all exposed to higher levels of these stressors, a good supplement can boost our defenses against such factors.
Oxidative damage has been indicated in a number of ailments. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E and A, can actually prevent many of the symptoms of aging, reducing wrinkles and protect skin from sun damage. Antioxidants have been helpful in preventing age-related macular damage and cataracts.
Some experts believe that inflammation is also a cause of aging. Antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid and glutathione are recommended as part of anti-inflammatory diets and have been found to reduce wrinkles and give the skin a youthful look. Some such as Vitamin E and C are used to protect cartilage in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and joint pain.
Multivitamin supplements, beta carotene, Vitamins C and E, can reduce levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. In addition, they have systemic effects that boost the body's defenses and support the optimal functioning of the immune system. A healthy immune response is crucial in preventing inflammation, allergies, cancer and autoimmune disease.
They also play an important role in preventing heart disease. Vitamin E, for instance, was found to restore of normal endothelial function in people with early atherosclerosis and protect the myocardium (heart membrane) from ischaemic damage. Antioxidants such as glutathione are essential for brain and respiratory function and have been used successfully to treat Parkinson's disease (IV glutathione), prevent stroke-related
damage, and treat asthma and allergies.
Taking antioxidant supplements has become an essential part of protecting your body from the effects of modern living. Before you take any supplements, discuss it with your physician and find a high-quality product that meets all your needs.
As we grow older and are exposed to external factors like pollutants, radiation and chemicals, our bodies accumulate more damage resulting from the proliferation of free radicals. These molecules are also produced as a normal byproduct of our body's metabolic processes. They carry single, unpaired electrons that are like bad guys on a rampage, attacking other molecules to rob them of their electrons by a process known as oxidation.
This starts a chain reaction that damages cell membranes, proteins and DNA, creating massive oxidative damage to the cell. To some extent, our bodies have the resources to arrest and repair some of this damage. But as we grow older, it accumulates causing aging, wrinkles, inflammation and diseases like cancer, dementia and heart disease.
Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals and stop the chain reaction. When present in sufficient amounts, they can combat and reverse some of these harmful effects. That's why antioxidants have been found to be of benefit in many diseases ranging from Parkinson's disease to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.
In fact, antioxidants can benefit even a healthy person and help them combat the damage caused by substances and processes that generate free radicals in the body. Here are some of the documented ways that a good antioxidant supplement can help you.
* Protects cells from oxidative damage
* Slows the aging process
* Heals inflammation and joint pain
* Boost immunity and prevent autoimmune diseases
* Prevent cancer
* Prevent heart disease
So how do antioxidants do all these things?
By mopping up free radicals, antioxidants can prevent oxidative damage due to UV radiation, sun exposure, pollution, pesticides, cigarette smoke and other modern environmental stressors. Since we are all exposed to higher levels of these stressors, a good supplement can boost our defenses against such factors.
Oxidative damage has been indicated in a number of ailments. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E and A, can actually prevent many of the symptoms of aging, reducing wrinkles and protect skin from sun damage. Antioxidants have been helpful in preventing age-related macular damage and cataracts.
Some experts believe that inflammation is also a cause of aging. Antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid and glutathione are recommended as part of anti-inflammatory diets and have been found to reduce wrinkles and give the skin a youthful look. Some such as Vitamin E and C are used to protect cartilage in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and joint pain.
Multivitamin supplements, beta carotene, Vitamins C and E, can reduce levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. In addition, they have systemic effects that boost the body's defenses and support the optimal functioning of the immune system. A healthy immune response is crucial in preventing inflammation, allergies, cancer and autoimmune disease.
They also play an important role in preventing heart disease. Vitamin E, for instance, was found to restore of normal endothelial function in people with early atherosclerosis and protect the myocardium (heart membrane) from ischaemic damage. Antioxidants such as glutathione are essential for brain and respiratory function and have been used successfully to treat Parkinson's disease (IV glutathione), prevent stroke-related
damage, and treat asthma and allergies.
Taking antioxidant supplements has become an essential part of protecting your body from the effects of modern living. Before you take any supplements, discuss it with your physician and find a high-quality product that meets all your needs.
About the author:
High-quality antioxidant supplements can help you slow the aging process
and protect your body from the ravages of modern living. Visit
http://cf.goodelements.com/antioxidant-supplements-renewal for a doctor-formulated supplement to
help you look and feel younger.