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Bio Wars: The Battle between Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Anyone keeping up with the latest nutritional news has heard the buzz about antioxidants, which play a dramatic role in neutralizing free radicals and protecting our bodies from disease.

You can increase your antioxidants by taking supplements, but sometimes taking too many supplements may not help or could be harmful to you. Studies suggest the most beneficial way to get antioxidants is to eat an antioxidant-rich diet.

Some antioxidants found in foods include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Lycopene, Co-enzyme Q10, selenium, and many more. Foods like tomatoes, sweet peppers, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seafood, and many fruits are loaded with antioxidants that are ready to fight free radicals.

Antioxidants vs. Free Radicals

Antioxidants protect you against free radicals, which can damage healthy cells by stealing electrons from your normal cells. Remember any of this from chemistry class in school? No? Don’t worry, here’s a refresher course.

Free radicals are nothing more than unstable molecules that circulate in our blood as a result of our bodies using oxygen. In nature, molecules have electrons circling around them. These electrons like to be paired up. When they are not paired up, they look for other electrons to do it. Free radicals have unpaired electrons, leading them to steal electrons away from other molecules, and a cycle is formed creating more free radicals. These free radicals eventually damage the DNA in normal cells. Sadly over time, the damage may become irreversible – leading to cancer, heart disease, and other diseases.

Enter the ANTIOXIDANTS. These are molecules that neutralize the free radicals and protect your cells. The great thing is there are literally hundreds of antioxidants that have been identified in our foods. By simply making healthier choices, eating more fruits and vegetables, and avoiding smoking – you are helping the fight against free radicals.

May you be victorious in the battle against free radicals and reap the healing benefits of getting antioxidants from the foods you eat.