In order to understand antioxidants we must understand the effect of oxygen in our body. What happens to a piece of iron if I throw it out in the yard? Correct, it rusts. The reason is oxidation. It is the chemical reaction with oxygen that creates rust and this same oxidative process causes our cells to rust or age. It is essential to life yet oxygen is a highly reactive element that causes serious damage to our cells.

Antioxidants. according to Webster’s are a substance that slows down the oxidation (the process by which electrons are removed from atoms or ions) of oils, fats, etc. and thus helps to check deterioration. A wellness style definition reads antioxidants are compounds that render free radicals (an atom or molecule having at least one unpaired electron – very reactive and unstable) harmless and stop the chain-reaction formation of new free radicals.

So an antioxidant is anything that prevents or slows this oxidation process. The antioxidant does this by donating electrons to neutralize free radicals. What is the big deal about these free radicals? Just one free radical can destroy an enzyme, protein molecule, strand of DNA, or an entire cell. They also create a chain reaction that creates millions of additional free radicals. Many scientists now believe that free radicals are the major player in both aging and disease. Among the diseases linked to free radicals are: cancer, coronary heart disease, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, age related macular degeneration. Many scientists now believe antioxidants play a significant role in the potential to reverse or drastically slow the effects of aging and decreasing our rate/risk of disease.

Where do we get these antioxidants? The endogenous antioxidants are produced naturally by the body. These antioxidants make up enzymes and coenzymes which are the catalyst for the chemical reactions in our cells. Then there are the exogenous or dietary antioxidants. These antioxidants play a broader protective function within our body. These dietary antioxidants are our first line of defense against free radicals. We get these antioxidants from the foods that we eat or the supplements we take. The number one source of these key antioxidants is from living foods – fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts and seeds. Hopefully you are eating your nine to thirteen fruits and vegetables per day.

What if I don’t eat enough of these fruits and vegetable? I have heard that our food supply is not what it used to be, will that affect my antioxidant levels? What other factors effect my antioxidant levels? Look for the answers to these and other health questions in future articles.

By Mike Inabinett (Coach I)

Your Health & Fitness Coach