Antioxidant Definition

What are Antioxidants?

An antioxidant definition is really not all that technical. It is a molecule that is “anti”, or opposite of an oxidant. It is any compound that inhibits oxidation.

What is Oxidation?

breathing

eating

metabolism

exercise

causes oxidation and free radicals.

Many people consider oxidation is to the body as rust is to a piece of metal. The end result is a damaged structure and decay.

Other environmental factors like:

exposure to the sun,

pollution and

toxins in our water and food

also cause free radicals and damage to our cells.

This oxidation produces atoms with unpaired electrons which then try to steal from a healthy atom and in turn produces another free radical that causes damage to cell membranes and our DNA leading to many diseases and aging. To read more about free radicals click here: Antioxidant and Free Radicals

Antioxidant Definition from the National Cancer Institute

"A substance that protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during normal metabolism). Free radicals may play a part in

cancer,

heart disease,

stroke, and

other diseases of aging. "

And may I add macular degeneration to the list. According to Dr. Lylas Mock

"Almost every single one of the risk factors we have for macular degeneration can be linked to free radicals."

Dr. Lylas G. Mogk, M. D., Visual Rehabilitation and Research Center of Michigan.

Define Antioxidant

They are molecules that help combat the harmful effects of free radicals by binding together with oxidant compounds in the body, and neutralizing their destructive properties. Antioxidants also help to repair cell damage caused by oxidants.

The body naturally produces antioxidant substances itself. These are called antioxidant enzymes. They include:

Catalase,

Superoxide Dismutase, and

Glutathione.

These antioxidant compounds break down oxidants in the body into harmless substances like water or oxygen particles, which then leave the body without harming it.

You may be asking the question, if the body naturally produces antioxidants why do I need to eat antioxidant rich foods and/or supplement? Click here to find out: Antioxidant Health Supplement

For More Information:

Go from Antioxidant Definition to Macular Degeneration Antioxidants
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