Knowing the benefits of antioxidants
will help you choose
the best antioxidant supplement

On the downside, sometimes this information is too "technical" for a non-specialist (this would be most of us!). Chemical formulas are explained in highly technical biological terms, statistical data proves or disproves various advanced scientific hypotheses and claims - but instead of bringing a better understanding such websites are hard to understand and just make me fall asleep...

On this page, you will find basic facts about the benefits of antioxidants which you need to know in order to choose your best antioxidant supplement. These important antioxidants facts are presented in a simple, clear, no-nonsense and no-jargon language.

This is the result of my own research effort.
I hope and trust that this information will be useful for you.

Antioxidants are vitamins or nutrients that may help to prevent the damaging effects of oxidation on your body's organs and tissues.
They achieve this by protecting the cells of human body from the damage done by "free radicals".
Protection of body cells is the main feature and root cause for all benefits of antioxidants.

What are free radicals, and how do they damage cells?

From the name "ANTI-oxidant" you can see that the function of these nutrients is somehow in their opposition to oxidation. You might guess that the benefits of antioxidants are somehow related to "fighting" oxidation as if it were a bad thing...

Well, here is the situation.

The older we become, the larger the amount of free radicals which may be accumulated in our bodies - and the possibility of resultant cell damage becomes more severe.

Free radicals damage cells and cell membranes because they "steal" electrons from cell molecules. This change may result in a chain reaction, in which more and more molecules will lose their electrons. This makes the whole cell work in a "wrong" way - and this is what may cause a disease!

Of course, just one single cell would not make much of difference to anyone's health. Many cells would need to be damaged before any symptoms will appear.

There are many factors in our environment which contribute to an increase of free radicals in our bodies. Some of these factors are:

• Smoking
• Stress
• Sunlight
• X-rays
• Pesticides
• Pollution

• Inflammation of the joints (arthritis)

• Acceleration of the aging process
  

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• Certain cancers, triggered by damaged cell DNA

• Damage to nerve cells in the brain, which contributes to conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases

• Increased risk of coronary heart disease, since free radicals encourage low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to adhere to artery walls

• Deterioration of the eye lens, which contributes to blindness.
  

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Dr. Packer continues to say about the benefits of antioxidants:

One way to protect cells from free radicals is to provide our bodies with molecules which can be used as targets for oxidation - diverting their "attention" from the molecules that make cells and membranes! These special molecules are antioxidants: they are able easily to lose, or to accept electrons, with no harm done.

So, the major feature of antioxidants is that they neutralize free radicals, thus preventing potential damage. All the benefits of antioxidants are the result of this feature.

Some antioxidant supplements are well-known to nearly everyone: these are vitamins A, E, and C.
Some minerals serve as antioxidants as well, such as selenium, zinc, and copper.
The third group of antioxidants are elements found in plants, or animal products. To name just a few: alpha lipoic acid, lycopene, lutein, coenzyme Q10, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and flavonoids.

Some antioxidant supplements "work together" in pairs, enhancing the effect of both. Vitamins A and C are such pair.

While all antioxidants serve similar functions, each of them has a unique role within your body. As a result, the benefits of antioxidants of different kinds are also different, depending on specific functions that each antioxidant serves.

For example, Coenzyme Q10 supports cardiovascular functions.
Lutein has been proven to prevent the negative impact of oxidation in the eyes.
Zinc is a powerful immune system booster.
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a "universal" antioxidant, due to the fact that it can dissolve in both fat and water.

Because of this specialization, it is not enough to take a single antioxidant supplement, since the purpose is to "get covered" as much as possible.
That means it is not good enough to take only vitamin C, for example, as it will not cover all areas and organs in your body which require antioxidants. You could take up to the maximum allowed amount of vitamin C; however - this will not compensate your body in case you need more lycopene, for example.

When we talk about benefits of antioxidants, the amount taken is not so important. The number of different antioxidants absorbed by your body - that is the key! You need to consume a variety of different antioxidants. This is a crucial point which you must remember while looking at antioxidant supplements.

Because it's a good idea to take a variety of antioxidants that should be consumed, a general suggestion from health care specialists is to eat five to nine (or more) servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Colorful plant foods such as purple, dark green, yellow, orange, blue, and red ones are better for you than barely-green lettuce. Plants of different colors contain different antioxidants.

Many superfoods (foods which have health benefits beyond those of common foods) became popular thanks to the benefits of antioxidants which they contain. Some superfoods contain antioxidants in addition to other necessary nutrients.
Flaxseed, for example, in addition to omega-3 fatty acids, contains lignans - unique compounds with powerful antioxidant features. Read more about omega-3 and flaxseed on omega-3-for-your-health.com.

In 2004, the USDA conducted comprehensive research on the antioxidant content of commonly consumed foods. Among the highest ranked foods for presence of antioxidants were artichokes and beans. Russet potatoes are also an excellent, although lesser-known, source of antioxidants.

"The bottom line is the same: eat more fruits and veggies," says Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., a chemist and nutritionist with the USDA's Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in LittleRock, Ark., and lead author of the study.
Reference: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, June 17, 2004.
Click here to see the paper abstract.

Antioxidants in berries

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Of all foods, berries are recognized as superior for the amount and diversity of antioxidants they have. A single berry species may contain dozens of antioxidants. The richest in antioxidants are exotic berries: acerola, wolfberry (goji berry) and acai.

Of the more common berries, wild blueberry is a leader, followed by blackberries, plantation-raised blueberries, cranberries and strawberries.

NOTE:
Juices from many berries are part of gel antioxidant supplement EXO, along with juices from other plants and fruits rich in antioxidants. EXO is made from the juices of 17 different plants known for their great taste - and great health benefits.

More information regarding benefits of antioxidants can be found here:

1. National Cancer institute, a web page that discusses specific benefits of antioxidants related to cancer prevention
2. Council for Responsible Nutrition
3. United States Department of Agriculture, a page about dietary supplements
4. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements
5. US Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Information on Dietary Supplements

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