Antioxidants, Protection For Your Body

Antioxidants are Substances or nutrients in our foods which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body's cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals that cause damage. Free radicals are the by products or waste from the bodies cells. Health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and macular degeneration are contributed by oxidative damage.

Oxidation is the process where oxygen combines with something. When our blood is oxidized it b rings oxygen to our tissues to keep them alive. It takes place through our bodies in the process of making energy for our bodies work correctly. But sometimes oxidation can be a bad thing. Much like fruit and vegetables that are in contact with oxygen spoil and turn brown after so long; our bodies have cholesterol that oxidizes and turns to bad cholesterol that clogs and sticks to the arteries. Free radicals are also created from oxidation.

In our immune systems, certain free radicals are used to help kill infections. However, the electric charge can damage DNA and proteins in our cells. DNA damage leads to cancer, and damage to structural proteins can cause aging changes. Taking an Antioxidant supplement would prevent all this from happening.

There are no short cuts to good health of course. It is well established that a diet rich in a variety of colored fruits and vegetables with whole grains is the most healthful in the long term. It is also important to realize that diet is only part of the picture as well. Not smoking, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a normal healthy weight are also very essential too.

Anyone who has already used vitamin and mineral supplements has already enjoyed antioxidants benefits with out knowing anything about it. A number of the common vitamins and minerals are antioxidants and this characteristic is demonstrated through good health.

Vitamins that have been noted for their antioxidant properties include vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, selenium, and calcium. Others are carotenoids, bioflavinoids, phenolic acids, and many others. The benefits of antioxidants have also been obtained through some hormones as well. Alternative Health Supplements offers a variety of antioxidant supplements to help you protect your body from the damages of free radicals.

One of those is Mega Antioxidant by natural health labs. It helps with cell to cell communication, and the ability for cells to perform the osmotic and diffusion processes. It is formulated to support the bodies fight against free radicals specially through the following ingredients green tea extract, grape seed extract, quercetin, turmeric, lipoic acid, and rosemary.

Antioxidants can also offer protection from diseases and conditions such as degenerative eye disease, macular degeneration, heart attacks and strokes. It promotes good eye health, stronger immune system, cardiovascular health, and protection of the nervous system.

Antioxidants are found abundant in foods like beans, grain products, fruits, and vegetables. Look for fruits with bright colors, the lutein in some of the yellow pigments found in corn, orange in cantelope and mango, the red in tomatoes, and purple in blueberries is a great antioxidant.

However, toxicity may occur if high amounts of the fat soluble vitamins, like vitamin A and E are taken. High intake may result in diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramping, excess urination, and skin rashes. In rare cases it can cause kidney stones, and can also cause scarvy if high doses of vitamin C then stopped.