Free Radicals and Antioxidants: How Do They Affect the Body?

The human body is a magnificent organism. All of the body systems work together with the goal of keeping the body healthy. Unfortunately, due to outside environmental factors, medication, stress, and other harmful substances the body can remain in a state of oxidative stress, which increases the need of additional nutrients to help heal and care for the body.

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are formed during the body's oxidation process. Oxidation, the combination of a substance with oxygen, is a normal process that occurs in the body. Free radicals are then formed because the molecule is now lacking an electron, so therefore is searching for something to bond to in order to become a complete molecule again. During this search the free radicals can send off charges that can damage other cells. Now, the body is made to be able to handle this normal process, but if it gets out of control it may need help from additional antioxidants.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants have an electron to give that needy free radical molecule and help to neutralize their effect on the body. The body makes antioxidants, but due to the environment and to lifestyle choices, there is a need for outside supplies of antioxidants.

Increases exposure to free radicals is causing a faster build up of disease in the body. Some of the common culprits are: environmental pollution (including air pollution and cigarettes), medication (both prescription and over-the-counter), and stress. These are causing increase in the aging of the body and chronic diseases.

Eating a variety of healthy food can increase the dose of antioxidants in the body, but due to increased risk and degraded food this is not enough. Some of the most powerful and effective antioxidants are ones that are mentioned often, but maybe not recognized because of their antioxidant qualities. Here is a list of some common antioxidants: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Bioflavonoids (yellow, red, blue foods), Coenzyme Q10, Carotenoids (orange, red foods), Turmeric, Vitamin B, Folic Acid, and Alpha-lipoic acid.

Surprisingly most of these antioxidants can be found in a good quality multi-vitamin and is something that everyone should consider consuming.

"Understanding Oxidative Stress". http://www.preventive-health-guide.com/oxidative-stress.html 13 August 2010.