Solgar Antioxidants

The body is being ravaged by what are known as free radicals, products of oxidization that break down cells and tissue. Free radicals are unavoidable, created by such negatives as pollution but also through healthy activity such as exercise. Aging is an inevitability, and free radicals seek to speed along the process.

Certain vitamins, minerals, and enzymes work as antioxidants. Antioxidants help combat damage created by the free radicals by slowing down the oxidization process. Despite what some theatrical claims might say, antioxidants are not designed to stop the age process.

The most common rules of thumb involving diet and lifestyle changes involve consulting a medical professional or a naturopath before taking things. When you do start taking antioxidant supplements, rather than simply ingesting them through such foods as blueberries and pomegranate, start out small. It is always easier to up the amount of units of a supplement rather than lower them. Like the word implies, antioxidant supplements are meant to help your health rather than cure any illness.

There are still a lot of studies concerning antioxidants and their side effects. The most prevalent side effect is pro-oxidization, or impeding too much of the cell’s process to negative effects. One of the most common supplements to create pro-oxidization is too much Vitamin C. Take care when taking antioxidant supplements, make sure that you are not already taking phenomenal doses in another source, such as a multivitamin.

Vitamin A helps promote healthy gums and hair, as well helps combat such things as night blindness. The best form of Vitamin A is beta-carotene, because they body can absorb more of that form. It also lacks the toxicity potential that pure Vitamin A has in large doses. Lycopene and Lutein have similar antioxidant effects of Vitamin A without being converted to A by the vitamin like beta-carotene.

Vitamin C not only heals bruises and holds tissues together, but it also helps protect other antioxidants as they travel through the body. These processes make Vitamin C one of the most commonly taken supplements in the world. The bioflavonoids Reservatol, Catechins, Proanthacyandins normally accompany Vitamin C and work as powerful antioxidants in their own right.

Vitamin E boosts the immune system and has been known to reduce the risk of such diseases as cataracts. It is as an antioxidant that Vitamin E truly shines, not only does it combat free radicals but it also helps protects cells membranes and lipid producing tissues. Minerals such as Selenium and Zinc work well with these Vitamin E to help increase antioxidant potency, while containing antioxidant effects themselves.

Coenzyme-Q or Ubiquinone is a necessary antioxidant that the human body normally creates. The older that a person gets, however, the less Coenzyme-Q the body creates. Many people supplement their diet with this antioxidant as they get older for better protection of aging cells.

Melatonin has become increasingly popular because of its reputation as a sleeping aid, and the way that it acts an antioxidant to prevent cell damage. It can have many side effects including nightmares and irregular sleep schedules. A health care professional should be consulted before beginning melatonin treatment.

There are many other herbs and processes that have antioxidant effects, such as Lipoic Acid, Glutathione, and Ginkgo Biloba. Like any lifestyle change, all of the possible effects should be researched. Each dose is different for each person. Many naturopaths and nutritionists specialize in antioxidant therapy and can give specific answers to your specific needs.