Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Some people take extreme steps to stay young while some others choose a natural therapy to stay young.The best way to slow down aging process naturally is by in taking more Antioxidants.But, before knowing about antioxidants,you need to know about free radicals and what is free radical damage.

What are free radicals?

Our human body continuously replenishes its cells through a process called cellular metabolism.The by-product of cellular metabolism are unstable molecules which are called free radicals.The free radicals are unstable since they miss on electron.Hence they try to acquire one electron from a healthy cell to become stable.This process of stealing electron from a healthy cell is called free radical damage.This free radical damage causes a lot of problems in the long run such as development of cancer,arthritis,diabetes etc.Free radical damage may also lead to neurological deficiencies.The free radical damage is also caused by external sources such as cigar smoke,exposure to UV rays etc.

What are Antioxidants?

The antioxidants are substances that slows down the process of aging in your body.Antioxidant substances combine with free radicals and form a stable molecule,thus preventing the free radical damage.Antioxidants have been proved to be great cure for the free radical damage problem.

List of antioxidants :

The list of antioxidants are almost indefinite.but some of the substances found on the top of the list of antioxidants are

• Beta-carotene
• Lutein
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C
• Lycopene

Source of antioxidants :

The sources of antioxidants are plenty.Fruits and vegetables contain the main sources of antioxidants.Antioxidants are also found in nuts,cold water fishes,legumes,red wine,sea foods and red meat.Minerals like selenium,zinc etc that are found in the body, boost the immune system to fight against free radical damage,though they are not antioxidants.

Antioxidant fruits :

Some of the powerful antioxidant fruits are blue berries, aronia berries,camu camus,acerola cherries,bilberries,nashi pears,wolfberries,and lychees.

There is no clear dosage limits to antioxidants and free radical damage prevention. Experts recommend daily dose of antioxidants to neutralize the free radical damage.But eating foods with antioxidants makes a big difference in how we live.