what are antioxidants?

Question

what does it do?

Answer 1

Antioxidants are natural body chemicals or drugs that reduce oxidative damage, such as that caused by free radicals.

What are antioxidants? How do they help us? Antioxidants consist of vitamins A, C and E, and beta carotene. Antioxidant vitamins can slow cell destruction by neutralizing free radicals that can cause cell damage. Examples of free radicals are air pollution and cigarette smoke. This results in a decrease in the negative effects of aging on the body. Antioxidants are also believed to reduce the risk of cancer.


So, we can exercise and get plenty of sleep, which are very important in maintaining good health and a more youthful you. And we can drink plenty of water and use anti-wrinkle creams, which are loaded with hydration replenishers, as well as aid in sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting growth of new skin cells. But we can also battle the signs of aging from the inside out. We can possess our own fountain of youth, in the form of tons of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits such as: peaches, grapes, apples, berries, bananas, prunes, melons, and citrus fruits (as well as juices of these fruits), and vegetables such as: celery, dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, string beans, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, onions, beets, and baked potatoes, all are very high in antioxidant content. Also nuts and mushrooms are high in antioxidants.

With all of the focus on beauty and youthfulness, you can be confident you are getting the best treatment for younger looking skin by helping yourself and eating the right foods.

Answer 2

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When the chain reaction occurs in a cell, it can cause damage or death to the cell. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions. They do this by being oxidized themselves, so antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols, ascorbic acid, or polyphenols. Substituted phenols and derivatives of phenylenediamine are common antioxidants used to inhibit gum formation in gasoline . Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; plants and animals maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Insufficient levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes, cause oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells. Oxidative stress is damage to cell structure and cell function by overly reactive oxygen-containing molecules and chronic excessive inflammation. Oxidative stress seems to play a significant role in many human diseases, including cancers. The use of antioxidants in pharmacology is intensively studied, particularly as treatments for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

Answer 3

Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage -- the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. The scientific community has begun to unveil some of the mysteries surrounding this topic, and the media has begun whetting our thirst for knowledge. Athletes have a keen interest because of health concerns and the prospect of enhanced performance and/or recovery from exercise.

Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient (vitamin) antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Additionally, selenium, a trace metal that is required for proper function of one of the body's antioxidant enzyme systems, is sometimes included in this category. The body cannot manufacture these micronutrients so they must be supplied in the diet.

Vitamin E : d-alpha tocopherol. A fat soluble vitamin present in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains (esp. wheat germ), fortified cereals, and apricots. Current recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 15 IU per day for men and 12 IU per day for women.

Vitamin C : Ascorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi, and strawberries. The RDA is 60 mg per day. Intake above 2000 mg may be associated with adverse side effects in some individuals.

Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A (retinol) and is present in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains. Because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A by the body there is no set requirement. Instead the RDA is expressed as retinol equivalents (RE), to clarify the relationship. (NOTE: Vitamin A has no antioxidant properties and can be quite toxic w

Answer 4

they remove free radicals from the body. free radicals can cause cancer.