Antioxidant supplements are responsible for the slowing down or prevention of damage to cells that occur due to unstable molecules or free radicals, produced by the body in reaction to pressure and other environmental factors.

There is a need to look into the myriad health benefits of consuming antioxidant supplements as experts agree that these supplements are the reasons why we are protected from cancer, heart problems, anxiety and depression, and of course premature aging. Here is more information on antioxidant supplements and their essential benefits:

What are Antioxidants?

You may have come across several antioxidant supplements and you just did not know what they are useful for, and why you should take them. Some important antioxidant elements that are found in edible plants include Vitamin C, Selenium, Beta-carotene, Vitamin E, and Phytochemicals.

However, the human body also produces antioxidants such as glutathione and coenzyme Q10. In addition, the rate of every produced intracellular antioxidant relies on the type of food we consume. Antioxidants are also soluble in fat and water, and they are present in watery and oily parts of the body cells.

Common examples are vitamin C, which resides in the water-soluble section of the body, and Vitamin E, which is found in the fat-soluble areas such as the cell membranes that are usually rich in lipids. These antioxidant supplements may work in different sections of the body, but still send information to one another and fully support the actions of the internal organs of the body, to protect against destructive free radicals.

Health Benefits of Antioxidant Supplements

After several years of research, many experts suggest that individuals who consume a lot of food or supplements rich in antioxidants can be highly safeguarded against diseases. This is true because the body has the antioxidant ability to defend itself from harmful free radicals and in turn release itself from stressful oxidants. Other essential benefits are as follows:

1.They Fight Free Radicals

Antioxidants help in protecting the body cell from impending damages done by free radicals. Free radicals are usually very unstable and highly reactive molecules that try all measures to be stable inside the body. They do this by snatching electrons in the body they lack, affecting the nearby molecules such as protein or lipids, during this action.

Once the molecules that have been robbed get introduced as new free radicals, they also attack nearby molecules to form an unending reaction. If this goes on in the body, it can cause damage to the DNA and cells of the body, leading to heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes.

Indeed, we cannot stay safe from free radicals as they are often found naturally existing when we breathe, convert food to energy, and exercise. External free radical sources include air pollution, cigarette smoke, and sunlight. Therefore, to stop these free radicals, the body requires a plethora of antioxidant supplements.

To fight free radicals, vitamin E donates a single electron to break the damaging chain of a free radical. However, Vitamin E cannot carry out this duty alone as it needs to be assisted by Vitamin C. The two vitamins work together to rescue the body back to its homeostasis.

Furthermore, taking diets that are rich in antioxidants can help us kill free radical destruction. Varieties of these include Vitamins E and C, green tea extracts, beta-carotene, selenium, lycopene, curcumin, and many more.

2. Antioxidant Supplements Relieve Oxidative Stress

When an individual loses balance, it can be due to oxidative stress. It usually affects the brain and body and can be the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, macular degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, mental stress, memory loss, autoimmune dysfunction, mood disorder, chronic disease, and high oxidative stress.

Fortunately, taking antioxidant supplements rich in Vitamin C can reduce reactive and elevated proteins that cause several cardiovascular pathologies. The diet must also be rich in plants to reduce or resist consistent attacks by free radicals.

3. It Improves Mental Health

The brain is likely to get affected by free radicals. Usually, it is the hippocampus that takes the big hit. This section of the brain is responsible for memory of what we learn. Stress from oxidants does not only damage hippocampus cells but also reduces neurogenesis, responsible for growing new brain cells. According to experts, consuming foods abundant in antioxidants can improve mental health.

4. It Enhances Brain health

Many individuals lose essential neurons due to oxidative stress which normally results in or connects to the creation of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Many research teams have evaluated the problematic effects of antioxidants and come up with helpful therapies that can manage these problems through neuroprotective effects.

Therefore, to prevent oxidative stress damage that destroys the brain cells, antioxidant supplements are to be consumed in an individual’s daily diet. Multiple studies have proven that there is a relationship between deficiency of antioxidant vitamins and neurodegenerative dysfunction such as Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and Amyotrophic sclerosis.

5. Antioxidant Supplements Support Healthy Aging

Aging, inflammation, and oxidative stress work hand in hand. Experts have even proposed a theory known as oxi-inflame-aging, to bring out the association of these three functions together. According to the theory, it is explained that extreme oxidative stress stops the functions of the body’s regulatory systems such as the immune system, nervous system, endocrine system, and regulatory systems as we age.

Therefore, when the immune system is activated, it leads to an inflammation in the depraved cycle. When an aging individual consumes healthy and antioxidant-rich food, age-related diseases can be delayed by the reduction of inflammation and stress, which in turn reduces damage to the DNA, and protects the wholeness of the telomere.

Conclusion

Any food rich in Vitamin C, vitamin E, Selenium, Beta carotene, and phytochemicals provides antioxidants to the body. You can further keep it simple by eating healthy green-colored plants, as they are highly rated supplements that help you fight free radicals in the body.