Improve Your Health with Antioxidant Supplements

Antioxidants are among the most important substances that should be present in your body at all times. These substances are essential in helping your body fight harmful free radicals. Many different kinds of foods are rich in antioxidants but you can also get your daily supply from antioxidant supplements.

An adequate amount of antioxidants in the body will keep you well-protected against cell damage and infection, which is mostly caused by the free radicals released by your own body. Most people do have sufficient levels of antioxidants. However, those who suffer from certain vitamin deficiencies may not have enough antioxidants in their body to protect themselves from the damaging effects of free radicals. This is why antioxidant supplements can significantly help in keeping the body healthy overall.

Most antioxidant supplements come in the form of herbal or organic tablets. These supplements are great for the prevention of several different kinds of illnesses, restoring the body's energy levels, preventing the unnecessary clotting of blood and even improving sex drive. Eating a balanced diet and getting adequate amounts of rest can further enhance the effects of antioxidant supplements.

Natural antioxidant supplements are considered to be the better option than synthetic antioxidant supplements due to several reasons. For one, the body absorbs natural antioxidant supplements much more easily and efficiently. Synthetic antioxidants can be quite effective as well, but because of their chemical composition, the body can take a longer time to absorb these substances. Furthermore, these artificial antioxidant supplements may trigger some undesirable side effects, which do not occur with the consumption of natural antioxidant supplements.

Many people make the mistake of assuming that just because they are regularly taking antioxidant supplements, they are free to eat any kind of food they want. This is not true at all. Antioxidant supplements are only meant to enhance, not replace, the natural nutrients you can get from the regular foods in your daily diet.

In supplementation, as in diet, it is important to acquire antioxidants from a variety of sources. There are several reactive oxygen molecules produced in cells . These include hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, and free radicals such as hydroxyl radical and the superoxide anion. There are two divisions of antioxidants, those soluble in water (Vitamin C, Lipoic acid, etc.) and those soluble in lipids (Vitamin E, Carotenes, Coenzyme Q, etc.). Water soluble antioxidants interact with oxidants in the cell cytosol (intracellular fluid) and blood plasma. Lipid soluble antioxidants protect cell membranes from damage caused by lipid peroxidation. With the interdependent and synergistic effects various metabolites and enzyme systems have on one another, the effectiveness of one antioxidant may depend on the function of other antioxidants in the system. The effectiveness of any one antioxidant not only depends on its concentration but, also on its reactivity towards the particular type of reactive oxygen molecule being considered.

Besides taking antioxidant supplements, eating foods that are rich in antioxidants can help reduce your body's susceptibility to illnesses and infections. These foods include leafy green vegetables, most fruits and whole grain products. For example, Vitamin C and Caroteniods are found in fruits and vegetables. Vitamin E (tocopherols, tocotrienols) can be obtained from vegetable oils. And polyphenolic antioxidants can be found in tea, soy, grapes, berries, olive oil, cinnamon, oregano and red wine. If you eat adequate quantities of these foods on a daily basis, you can be sure your body will have the necessary antioxidants to fight the free radicals and other harmful chemicals that might find their way into your system. However, if you think your regular diet does not provide you with sufficient amounts of antioxidants, consider taking some antioxidant supplements to boost your body's defenses.
Copyright 2008 Ron Cotnam
All rights reserved

Ron Cotnam is the proprietor of August Moon Nutrition

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

The content on this page is provided for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice.