Antioxidants and Free Radicals

You hear these words a lot lately... but what are free radicals and antioxidants? 

Free radicals 

Free radicals are atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron in your body. This is a very unstable state for the atom or molecule, and the free radical will steal the electron from another atom or molecule to become stable. This causes a chain reaction, creating another free radical, and this free radical is going to steal another atom or molecule's electron. And the "stealing" continues, like a domino effect.

This process is referred to as oxidization.  

Not all free radicals are bad for you.  Free radicals happen naturally as part of the body's metabolic process but also can be caused by pollution, cigarette smoke, and radiation.

Free radicals become a problem when excess free radicals steal electrons from molecules that make up our genes, proteins, and cell membranes.

Free Radicals & Aging There is a free radical theory to aging - The theory states that free radical damage accumulates over time, causing aging.  In addition, it states that over time free radicals may cause cancer and other diseases.

Antioxidants 

Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins, minerals, and enzymes) found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and some fish, poultry, and meat.  Antioxidants inhibit the oxidation of other molecules in the body.  In other words, antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by the chain reaction of unstable molecules, also known as free radicals, by giving the free radical their own electrons.  (The antioxidant does not become a free radical.)

Examples of antioxidants: 

• Beta-carotene
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

Good sources of antioxidants can be found in foods such as: 

1. whole grains
2. spinach
3. broccoli
4. kale
5. tomatoes
6. carrots
7. nuts/seed
8. kiwi
9. blueberries

"Super" fruits are generally a good source of antioxidants.  We have a (short) series on different kinds of "super" fruits out there (we promise to add more!)... click the links to read the posts:

• Pomegranate
• Goji Berries
• Noni Berry

**Make sure you are getting these vitamins, minerals, and enzymes through REAL food and avoid taking supplements.**