Vitamins and Your Health: Antioxidants
Learn more about today’s vitamins and your health; antioxidants.
Antioxidants are known for protecting the body from free radical damage. Many diseases are actually being linked to free radicals such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and aging (wrinkles). What are free radicals?
Free radicals are atoms that have unpaired electrons. Each atom wants to achieve a stable outer shell. In order to do this, the free radical atom must have paired electrons. Since free radicals are very unstable, they will react with any atom within its vicinity. Free radicals will attack lipids (fats), proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA (genetic material). However, free radicals gravitate towards DNA. Over time without the protection of antioxidants, DNA is bombarded by free radicals eventually causing damage to the cells. This is what leads to mutations and possibly cancer.
Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals by donating the needed electron to the free radical atom. This stops the free radical from damaging the body. Free radicals come from environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, radiation, and even stress.
Antioxidants are vitamins such as vitamin A, C, and E. Antioxidants help strengthen the immune system. Here are some foods that are rich in antioxidants: blueberries (wild or cultivated), cranberries, blackberries, prunes, raspberries, and cooked artichokes.
Kristy Haugen
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Try adding an antioxidant to your diet for better health.
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