How Do Antioxidants Work


These days, people are being encouraged to consume food items that are rich in Vitamin A, C and E (alpha-tocopherol), mainly because of their antioxidant properties. Have you ever sat back and wondered what exactly are antioxidants and how do they work in our body. Let us start with the first part of your question. Antioxidants, as their very name suggests, are those substances that have the ability to neutralize the damaging, though normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in the tissues. Antioxidants are inclusive of nutrients (such as vitamins and minerals) as well as enzymes (like proteins). By offsetting the harmful effects of oxidation, they help the body prevent a number of chronic diseases as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts. Now, let us move on to the working of antioxidants.

Free Radicals
In order to understand how antioxidants work, we first need to get a clear idea on the concept of free radicals. Free radicals can be described as chemically active atoms or molecular fragments in the body, which have a charge, owing to either excess or deficient number of electrons. Since free radicals have one or more unpaired electrons, they tend to be quite unstable. As they move around your body, they try to grab or donate electrons, scavenging it in turn and leading to damaged cells, proteins, and DNA (genetic material). Free radicals arise from sources both inside (endogenous) and outside (exogenous) our bodies and are almost impossible for us to avoid.

Antioxidants Working Process
Antioxidants work against free radicals, neutralizing them and blocking the process of oxidation in turn. This procedure leads to oxidation of antioxidants as well, which makes it necessary for us to replenish our antioxidant resources on a constant basis. The exact working of antioxidants can be classified into the following two ways:

Chain-breaking
By now, we know that free radicals roam around in our body, trying to release or steal an electron. As their task gets accomplished, a second radical is formed. This radical, in turn, tries to give or get electrons as well, causing another molecule to become a free radical. This process goes on and on, if not stopped, leading to excessive free radicals in the body. This is where the antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, come into picture. They terminate the process by breaking the chain and leading to the creation of a stabilized radical. In other words, antioxidants help stop the generation of more unstable products inside the body.

Preventive
Antioxidants not only help break the chain of free radicals, but can also help prevent the main culprit behind them - oxidation, as well. Enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase reduce the rate of chain initiation. They hunt for, and neutralize, the chain-initiating free radicals. With this, they prevent an oxidation chain from ever setting in motion. Antioxidant enzymes can also stabilize transition metal radicals, such as copper and iron, and thus prevent oxidation. As the oxidation process does not take place, the body is saved from its harmful effects, which manifest themselves in the form of various chronic diseases.

A great post elucidating the working and benefits of anti-oxidants! Thanks Neetu!

Of late i have been feeling the effect of fatigue too much and i knew about anti oxidants but this post which educates us very simply about antioxidants is marvellous.a great post which is worth taking a print out and i am alwaays going to keep it with me.
Thanks a million Neetu!

Herbs contain powerful antioxidants which are often more powerful than many vitamins!

That is one of reasons why herbal supplements have become so popular. The benefits of antioxidants in herbs have been studied extensively and have shown impressive results.

Herbs with the benefits of antioxidants

Turmeric - contains the potent antioxidant curcumin, which helps fight free radicals in the liver and aids in digestion.

Hawthorn - contains OPC's, powerful antioxidants that strengthen the heart muscle and blood vessels.

Ginkgo Biloba - contains extremely powerful flavonoids that increase circulation to the brain, attributing to increased mental awareness and memory. Also protects the ears and eyes and promotes blood circulation to the lower legs.

Green Tea - contains OPC's which protect the heart and circulatory system, contributing to overall well-being.

Red Clover - the extract contains four anti-tumor compounds and the strong antioxidant tocopherol, a form of Vitamin E.

Bilberry - its powerful antioxidant compounds, called anthocyanosides, help with eye problems such as cataracts and poor night vision.

Anti-Aging Antioxidants Health Benefits & Sources

Antioxidants are anti aging. This means staying younger longer with better health.

The benefits of antioxidants from food, or a good quality natural antioxidant supplement, give you the anti aging protection against degenerative diseases and help slow down the aging process of your skin, cells, tissues and organs.

Antioxidants Health Benefits

Antioxidants are the naturally occurring nutrients found in certain fruits and vegetables. They've been proven to protect human cells from oxidative damage and provide:

• Anti-aging of cells and overall body,
• Greatly reduced incidence of all cancers,
• Glaucoma and macular degeneration prevention,
• Reduced risk of cholesterol-oxidation and heart disease
• Stronger immunity and resistance to flues, viruses and infections.

The main anti aging oxidants found in food include vitamins A, C and E, the minerals selenium and zinc and all of the phytonutrient carotenoids.

How Anti Aging Antioxidants Work

Although breathing oxygen is essential to life, oxygen can also be your worst enemy. It starts a process in your body called oxidation, which is the formation of free radicals.

The oxidation of metal is a good example. Iron gets old and rusty, aluminum is bleached an ugly white and copper turns an "aged" green. Something similar happens when your body is exposed to air, light and poor nutrition.

Free radical oxidation damage is the primary cause of aging (rust and corrosion). It's as harmful and destructive to your body and brain as corrosion is to your car.

Just think of antioxidants as human “Rust-Oleum.”