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Twentieth-century life gave us a myriad of new and stunning technological advances that served to not only reduce our work load but to expose us to a whole host of new and potentialy harmful toxins. Virtually every day most of us are exposed to countless pollutants which cause the formation of damaging oxidants in our bodies. Auto exhaust, tobacco smoke, UV rays, pollution, preservatives, and food and water additives continually assault our bio-cellular systems and may cause physiological damage. As a result, our risk of developing a degenerative disease is significantly increased. Moreover, our constant exposure to oxidizing agents can even accelerate premature tissue breakdown causing us to age more rapidly.
Inevitably, regardless of where or how we live, we will find ourselves vulnerable to these dangerous substances. While this declaration sounds ominous at best, mother nature has provided us with some very impressive defense compounds called antioxidants, which have the capability to protect us from the perils of oxidants or free radicals as they are also called.
While supplementing our diets with vitamins and minerals is strongly recommended, certain remarkable, natural substances exist which have recently come to the forefront of scientific research. These compounds are referred to as antioxidants, and they aroused interest in the scientific community. Determining what substances provide the most optimal antioxidant capabilities and making those nutrients available to the public must be first and foremost in our quest for health and disease prevention. In addition, making sure that the nutrient compounds selected are bioavialable is vital. Frequently, supplements we believe are assimilated within the cellular structures of our bodies, do little more than just pass through them.
How To Use Antioxidants
Taking a broad spectrum antioxidant is the best way to go. Antioxidants work in the body at different sites or cellular metabolism; therefore, relying on one particular antioxidant is not as effective as a broad spectrum. A person needs a nice variety of free radical scavengers in both vitamin and herb form. Look for formulas that use some or all of the following: grape seed extract, bioflavonoids, vitamin E, selenium, glutathione, lipoic acid, vitamin C, beta carotene and herbs like Ginkgo biloba. Sometimes other vitamins and minerals that enhance each other may be added to the mix. |
