We have heard all the buzz about antioxidants, so what exactly are antioxidants and how do they work? To understand antioxidants, oxidation and oxidants need to be understood.
We know how essential oxygen is to our life. Yet, this is also inherently dangerous to our existence. This is known as oxygen paradox. Recent research shows that oxidative stress, or cell damage by free radicals is the main cause of most of the chronic degenerative diseases. These free radicals are harmful by products of the process of oxygen consumption in our body. These free radicals are also created from environmental pollution, certain industrial chemicals, and smoking.
If still unclear of what is oxidation, then think of the process of oxidation outside the body; for which a sliced apple turns brown, the rusting of iron etc.
In fact, oxidative stress is now the leading theory behind the aging process. Stop the oxidative stress, counter the free radicals and be free from all diseases.
Now when you know the oxidants, antioxidants just counter them. They fight against the free radicals and save us from the dark side of oxygen. Considering the tremendous damage caused by the oxidative stress to the body, ample amount of antioxidants in form of food and supplements do a lot good for health and anti aging in long term.
Antioxidants advantages:
In the view of the damage by oxidative stress, the role of antioxidants in preserving health has come to the fore through recent research. The findings on antioxidants to prevent heart disease, the role of antioxidants to ward off cancer and the latest theory of anti aging through antioxidants; all point towards its huge role in maintaining health.
To list a few benefits of antioxidants
The research has shown and is now ongoing for future strategies on the role these antioxidants may play in heart disease prevention.
Antioxidants have a preventive role in several types of cancer. This is to be noticed that many factors induce the development of cancer including heredity, nutritional excesses and deficiencies, and the environment with all its pollutions.
Immunity is certain to get a boost if body is properly fed with adequate antioxidants.
Increased free radical activity during strenuous exercise and continuous stress can be countered with antioxidants. So vitamin E ( one antioxidant ) might play a role in reducing muscle inflammation and soreness after bouts of vigorous workouts.
Accelerated aging is halted and aging finally can be delayed by countering the ill effects of oxidative stress on the body.
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