“Antioxidant” is a very familiar word in many health-related articles and discussions. The benefits of antioxidant have been widely promoted and become very common health topic nowadays. Unfortunately, not everyone really knows what antioxidant is and how it works to preserve our health. Before taking into account further questions like how much can we get antioxidant or what are the best sources of antioxidant, it is better to equip ourselves with the basic knowledge of antioxidant.
Antioxidant is a type of molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are very reactive and unstable molecules which are common as transient intermediaries in chemical reactions. They are molecules with unpaired electrons, giving them an electric charge. To neutralize this charge, free radicals try to steal an electron from, or donate an electron to, the nearest stable molecule. This process, called oxidation, creates a new free radical from the neighboring molecule. In turn, these free radicals can start a chain reaction that can damage many other molecules. Antioxidants halt this chain reaction by donating electrons to stabilize and neutralize the dangerous free radicals or destroying the molecules that form free radicals before they can begin the domino effect that leads to oxidative damage.
The oxidation effect of the free radicals can be compared to how rust damages metal. These harmful molecules can damage healthy cells and are connected to certain diseases like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer. Free radicals are produced by natural metabolism of the body and by environmental exposures, including tobacco smoke, pesticides, pollution and radiation. They can be found everywhere and it is impossible for us to avoid them. Therefore our body needs enough supply of antioxidants on a daily basis. There are hundreds, or more, of different substances that can act as antioxidants. Some of the most familiar ones are Beta-carotene; Lutein; Lycopene; Selenium; Vitamin A; Vitamin C; and Vitamin E.
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