Antioxidants

What are antioxidants?  How antioxidants work?  How much is enough?  Questions like these are just so common for those who are experts in this field of study.   The answer to those questions greatly varies for there is greatly vast information about antioxidants.  To know some of those, read on.

Antioxidants are particularly nutrients that are located in the human body and in plants, like the fruits and vegetables.  These nutrients are vital in the proper functioning of our body and so they help in maintaining health by slowing the destructive aging of cellular molecules.  The antioxidants then act as cell protectors. 

As the cells function normally in the body, they absolutely produce damaged molecules which are called free radicals.  These free radicals are largely wobbly and steal components from the other cellular molecules like fat, protein, or DNA, which caused the spreading of the damage. 

Since these damages will largely cause some other damages on the system, the antioxidants help prevent the widespread of the cellular destruction by means of willingly giving components to stabilize free radicals. Essentially, the antioxidants return to the surface level of the cell to steady rather than to cause some damages on the other cellular components.  However, if those free radicals are left unchecked, they can cause heart damage, cancer, cataracts, and a weak immune system. 

In addition, the antioxidants are important in improving the immune responses and vaccine recognition in dogs and cats.  Many experts have considered that such may be especially serious for young animals that are being vaccinated while their immune system is still improving.  And aside from that, antioxidants are significant that they can reverse the reduction in immune-cell function for the senior dogs and cats.  It is then noted that a mix of many antioxidants in average amounts may be more likely to be effective than high levels of one antioxidant.

The antioxidants, as nutrients that are found in the body and in plants, come in different types.  These include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and particular compounds that are known as carotenoids like the lutein and beta-carotene.

These nutrients are much beneficial in preventing heart disease for it prevents the spreading of the free radicals.  In particular, vitamin E which is a common kind of antioxidants may protect against cardiovascular diseases by means of defending against the LDL oxidation and the artery-clogging plague development.  Numerous studies also considered antioxidants to be helpful in lowering the risk of cancer.  It is noted that the vitamin C intake will lower the rates of cancer, specifically the cancer of the mouth, larynx and esophagus.

The good sources for antioxidants are composed largely of fruits and vegetables.  The highest concentration is said to be found in the most deeply and brightly pigmented vegetables and fruits like the spinach, carrots, red bells, and tomatoes. 

However, even though antioxidants are considered a vital component for good health, still no one knows if the nutrients should be taken and how much is enough.  Also, there is a very little information about the long term consequences of megadoses antioxidants.  Taking the chemicals without the aid of the experts or without the absolute comprehension of their effects may just damage such balance.