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What Are Antioxidants And Why Do You Need Them?

By: Gen Wright Home | Health-and-Fitness


All health-conscious people have heard a lot about anti-oxidants, and the fact that they are very good for the system. After all, fruits are good and fruits are rich in anti-oxidants. There has to be something to this thing, right?

Right.

Except that oxygen is the life-giving nectar to our bodies.

The problem with oxygen is that it kills as much as it sustains. As an atom, oxygen has the nasty habit of sucking electrons out of the body. This generates positive "free radicals". These free radicals then give rise to mutated DNA and hence mutated cells, which may exhibit a variety of abnormal behavior. Sometimes the cells start multiplying uncontrollably, as in cancer. Sometimes they may die, sometimes they may stop fulfilling their function.

The human body has two enzymes meant to counter this destructive effect of oxygen. These are called "catalase" and "peroxidase", and they are the body's natural anti-oxidants.

As a consequence of diets rich in fats, proteins and caffeine, the body tends to get dehydrated. This means that more water molecules are broken down in the body to produce oxygen. This nascent oxygen, produced during the chemical reaction, is especially harmful. It requires the presence of chemicals that can absorb the nascent oxygen to prevent it from manifesting its toxic effects in the long run.

These chemicals are available in many of the vitamins and minerals we are advised to ingest today. Vitamin C and E are the most effective antioxidants, while zinc also helps with antioxidant answer. However, an excess of food supplements can be extremely toxic to the body, so it is wise to seek a doctor's advice before popping the supplements regularly.

The best way to protect your body against the toxic effects of oxygen is to eat a balanced diet. One of the major sacrifices you will have to make is to forgo smoked food. Forgoing red meat and eggs is also a good idea. However, staying on a vegetarian diet may lead to malnutrition later on. This is where vitamin supplements are necessary.

If taking vitamin supplements, the best thing to do is to research the existing problems in the body. Often, signs as innocuous as parched lips or white patches on nails can point to an existing problem that would not otherwise be identified or treated. Determine the specific deficiencies you have, and take supplements accordingly.

Alternatively, ask your pharmacist for a good multivitamin and blood cleanser. Since multivitamins are formulated to contain a harmless combination of nutrients, they are a much better choice than combining vitamin pills on your own.

Good vitamins and supplements keep your body in excellent shape. They work as antioxidants as well as giving your body some of the rest it needs - in all, a win-win combination that is totally worth the money.



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About the Author:
Need to get in those antioxidants but not able to eat fruit? Buy supplements, pop one in the morning, and stay worry-free through the day.

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