What we are constantly told for the sake of our health is that antioxidants are vitally important to us, that we should be absorbing them in abundance. To eat the foods, sip the teas, and drink the smoothies which contain antioxidants. These foods of nature which are beneficial are referred to as super powered molecules.
But it’s found that the majority of us still have no idea what these antioxidants actually are, or how they react, what they do for us, what value they provide for the better health of our bodies.
They’re known to be beneficial for a reason. Antioxidants are considered crucial building blocks for our cells to grow and function. There’s compounding evidence which supports why we should be ingesting antioxidants, preferably as naturally as possible.
How Antioxidants React In Our Body
There are a host of natural antioxidant enzymes which are naturally present in our bodies, including: catalase, selenium methionine peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, etc.
Their primary role is to protect us from free radical damage. Antioxidant are fighting molecules which battles or slows down the natural oxidation process in our cells, which keeps us young.
This oxidation can be a result of airborne chemicals which are found in the air, certain metals, and anything else that’s toxic which we breathe in, and are absorbed by the body or skin.
This is why antioxidants are considered essential, as they fight the good fight in our bodies which destroys these harmful free radicals. As a result, the natural foods that we consume which contain antioxidants, are considered “super,” since they eradicate them.
The Effects Of Free Radicals
One thing for certain from a health standpoint is that we can’t escape all this exposure of free radicals, as they are everywhere. They’re a constant in the environment, and they’ll be present as long as there’s human existence.
What these harmful reactive molecules do is they accelerate the compound breakdown of materials such as paint and plastics, which are capable of damaging human cells once they’re exposed to oxygen. This can then lead to health issues such as heart and cardiovascular disease.
How Free Radicals Can Damage Our Bodies
Think of your body as a stretch of paved road, which overtime, will begin to suffer from damage and decay due to age and abuse. What the free radicals do is they create potholes in the road.
The antioxidants acts as the maintenance crew who arrives and then fills in all these potholes, this so that they’ll at least be temporarily repaired, while also temporarily deflecting further damage.
The Relationship Between Antioxidants And Free Radicals
There’s a constant and delicate balance in our bodies at all times. We actually need certain amounts of select free radicals in our bodies to function, this to activate certain reactions.
For instance, hydrogen peroxide, which is a free radical, is needed as it helps in activating our white blood cells, this to fight off harmful bacteria such as pathogens and fungi so they won’t build up.
But since the antioxidants in our bodies are usually in limited or short supply, what we need is to keep the levels of certain free radicals under control, otherwise, damage to our cells will result.
Too Much Antioxidants
There’s a critical balance which needs to be restored between the antioxidant enzymes and the free radicals in our bodies, and at times, it’s even possible that we can have too many antioxidants.
Once there’s too many antioxidants, the body will then begin to suffer immune suppression or low white blood cells, and as a result, won’t be able to fight off illness such as the common cold as effectively.
The Proper Antioxidant Balance
When the body is perfectly healthy, that’s when there’s that proper balance between the beneficial free radicals and the antioxidant enzymes in the body.
Whenever this harmony occurs, the antioxidants stabilizes the body which can be overrun by free radicals, which as a result averts aging, as they’re able to fight off the diseases which damages the invading cells.
The Exposure Of Antioxidants
We’re now constantly exposed to the term antioxidant in the media, as it’s commonly used in the beauty industry, along with being a key vital ingredient for the anti-aging industry.
Antioxidants are now the primary ingredient that’s used in the various moisturizers and lotions which are on the market, which has designs on keeping the skin looking young, fresh, and supple.
Antioxidants such as beta carotene, selenium, and vitamin E, are all well known effective ingredients which are used in the the various face creams, which are known to regenerate new skin cells, while preventing damage to the surface of the skin.
Additional Benefits Of Antioxidants
What eating natural select foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, green tea, and certain nuts, does is they all naturally help the body to produce antioxidants.
What they’re capable of doing is adding a layer of protection against most age related conditions such as brain function, macular degeneration, cataracts, heart disease, and dementia.
The Aging Process And Antioxidants
As our bodies begin to age, there are certain natural processes which begins to slow down or suffer. Similar to metabolism, the naturally stored levels of antioxidant will begin to decline.
What we then need to do is make up the difference, to replenish the deficiency by consuming certain antioxidant rich foods in our diets. This is the reason why dietitians will order such a strict diet.
An antioxidant rich diet that’s high in fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and natural spices are usually recommended. They’re all found to be extremely vibrant in natural occurring antioxidants. This so we can keep up the good fight.