Natural Antioxidant Controls Free Radicals

Since the dawn of time Man has relied on nature for much of his food requirements, and for herbs and medicinal plants, to soothe his wounds and afflictions.

More recently we have come to rely on plants to provide natural antioxidants, to assist with controlling free radicals, that if allowed to increase out of control are such a danger to our health.  Therefore, it is in our best health interests to make sure there are plenty of natural antioxidants in our diets.  But what are these mysterious free radicals?

Free Radicals

Another name for an unstable oxygen atom is a free radical. As you will recall, from your high school days, an atom has a nucleus comprised of protons and neutrons, outside which electrons flow. All is well so long as the electrons are in pairs, but problems occur if an electron is not paired, as happens with unequal oxygen atoms. Then the free radicals take electrons from balanced, or stable body cells and start a chain reaction known as oxidation.

Natural antioxidants defend the body by neutralizing the free radicals.  It is as well they do, because left on their own free radicals do their utmost to cause cellular damage that may have serious health consequences, including heart disease.   So we must look to natural antioxidants to protect us, because prevention is always better than cure.

The most important source of the natural antioxidants is from plants.  Our bodies are unable to produce natural antioxidants on their own, so we must continuously top up.

You may wonder what these natural antioxidants are, and how they are able to protect you.  There are complex compounds that are natural antioxidants, present to a greater or lesser stint, in most plants.  So it is up to you to make the most use of them.  They include coumarins, carotenoids, catechins, and indoles. You probably know that green tea is a good antioxidant, but are you aware that, along with some other teas, it is obtained from Camellia Sinensis plants?  No matter, as long as you make sure that you include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

There are many claims made for natural antioxidants, but all you really need to remember, is to top up with adequate amounts on a daily basis, to minimize the consequences of free radical damage.

Antioxidant Definition
antioxidant is a chemical that prevents the oxidation of other chemicals. In normal biological systems, free radicals

Antioxidant Dietary Supplement
antioxidant dietary supplement along with your food. Vitamin C antioxidant dietary supplement is perhaps the most famous form of antioxidant available.

Antioxidant Effects of Green Tea
Antioxidant Effects of Green Tea have been largely attributed to the presence of polycatechins with powerful antioxidant effects.

Antioxidant Enzyme
Antioxidant enzymes are chemical substances found in plants that act on free radicals.