Lesson 3 of 8
In Progress

Antioxidants

Tara Carlson January 29, 2021

Antioxidants, why are they important? Because they are the antidote to oxidative stress!

  1. OXIDATIVE STRESS

Oxidative stress or damage is caused by free radicals latching onto healthy atoms and stealing their electrons in an attempt to stabilize, which causes oxidation. An example of oxidation is visible when a sliced apple exposed to the air turns brown.

Oxidation has been implicated in the origin of more than 100 human diseases and in the aging process.

2.

The molecules that lost their electrons to oxidation then try to stabilize themselves by taking what they need from other molecules, triggering a chain of free radical reactions.

This chain reaction has been implicated in the pathology of several human diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, malaria, and rheumatoid arthritis.

  1. ANTIOXIDANTS TO THE RESCUE!

Antioxidants bind to free radicals by sharing their available electrons and safely helping the body eliminate them. Antioxidants act at the levels of prevention, interception, and repair to oppose the free radical activity, neutralizing the damage caused by free radicals.

 

SUMMARY

*We encourage consumers to always check product labels for appropriate use in their market. See your local product guide for products available for purchase in your market