Luckily, the body has a defense against these free radicals in the form of antioxidants.
Found in a number of fruits and vegetables, and even produced in the body, they defuse free
radicals. Some of the more familiar of these include vitamins E and C; the carotenoids (such
as beta-carotene); selenium; flavonoids (anthocyanidins, polyphenols, quercetin); and
supplements like green tea extract and ginkgo biloba. Among the lesser known among them
are those produced by the body: glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10.
While nothing can truly replace the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle, ongoing
research has shown that supplementing your diet with antioxidants really can help prevent
a number of diseases and increase overall vitality and resilience. Studies at the
University of California at Berkeley, for example, have shown that increasing the
antioxidants in the diet, whether through food or supplementation, significantly
reduced the risk of various types of cancer. An even more general benefit is their
purported ability to slow down the aging process. Antioxidants can mop up the free
radicals that result in wrinkling of the skin, loss of muscle elasticity, reduced
immunity, and impaired memory.
If you are in the market for an antioxidant supplement, be sure to opt for those supplements that
include a variety of antioxidants, since antioxidants tend to work synergistically. Some antioxidant
supplement might also contain zinc and copper, ingredients that help strengthen the body’s
own antioxidant protection system.
