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There is a group of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes called antioxidants that help to protect the body from the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that can cause damage to cells, impairing the immune system and leading to infections and various degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Free radical damage is thought by scientists to be the basis for the aging process as well. See Free Radicals for more information.
There are a number of known free radicals that occur in the body, including superoxide, hydroxy radicals, hydrogen peroxide, various lipid peroxides, hypochlorite radicals, nitric oxide, and singlet oxygen. They may be formed by exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals such as those found in cigarette smoke, overexposure to the sun's rays, or various metabolic processes, such as the process of breaking down stored fat molecules for use as an energy source.
Free radicals are normally kept in check by the action of free radical scavengers that occur naturally in the body. These scavengers neutralize the free radicals. Certain enzymes serve this vital function. Four important enzymes that neutralize free radicals are superoxide dismutase (SOD), methionine reductase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. The body makes these as a matter of course. There are also a number of nutrients that act as antioxidants, including vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and the mineral selenium. Another antioxidant is the hormone melatonin, which is a powerful free radical neutralizer. Certain herbs have antioxidant properties as well.
Although many antioxidants can be obtained from food sources such as sprouted grains and fresh fruits and vegetables, it is difficult to get enough of them from these sources to hold back the free radicals constantly being generated in our polluted environment. We can minimize free radical damage by taking supplements of key nutrients. A high intake of antioxidant nutrients appear to be especially protective against cancer.
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Medline: Antioxidant Nutrients: Current Dietary Recommendations & Research Update
Antioxidants Protect Against Illness & Premature Ageing: Info & Products
Free Radical Introduction
Antioxidants & Benefits of Antioxidant Supplements
AHA Scientific Advisory: Antioxidant Consumption & Heart Disease Risk
The Exercise Paradox: Staying Fit Increases Need for Antioxidants
Health Choice: Free Radicals
Health Choice: Truth & Misconception About Nutritional Supplements
Street Drugs Information (Antioxidant Page no longer available, but good info about drugs)
HCRC FAZ Sheet: Antioxidants
Under Revision: Goes to WomansWellbeing.com
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Introduction: What is Oxidative Damage?
MoonDragon's Health Information: Nutrition Basics: Antioxidants Index
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