Antioxidants: Why We Need Them

Fight Free Radicals

Antioxidants are chemicals that aid in defending cells from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are, in the simplest and most general chemistry terms, unstable atoms with outer ‘shells’ that are missing one or more of their electrons. Atoms have a set number of electrons their shells require to be considered stable. An unstable atom – a free radical — can exist independently. But, in order to complete its shell, it attempts to acquire its necessary electrons by bonding to electrons of other atoms. When doing this, they react quickly with various substances.

Additionally, oxygen molecules in the body that split into individual atoms have unpaired electrons, therefore making them unstable free radicals and resulting in attempts to acquire electrons in processes that cause disruptive reactions. Too many free radicals can cause cellular imbalance. Too many free radicals can lead to oxidative stress. And oxidative stress is scientifically known to:

•       Damage DNA.
•       Damage molecules important to the body.
•       Cause cellular damage.
•       Lead to disease and to death.
•       Cause symptoms of aging.

 Where do free radicals come from?

PubMed lists the following to be among the many causes of free radicals:

•       Air pollution
•       Cigarette smoke
•       Alcohol consumption
•       Toxins and chemicals
•       High blood sugar levels 
•       High levels of polyunsaturated fat
•       Excessive sunbathing
•       Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections
•       Extensively long exercise

What then does the body do to defend itself from the free radicals that can lead to oxidative stress? It relies on antioxidants to help battle the molecular invaders that are trying to fill their shells with electrons.

There are thought to be thousands of antioxidants the body relies on for help. Antioxidants defend cells by giving up the electrons free radicals seek in order to become stable. In other words, antioxidants sacrifice themselves for the health of our cells.

The majority of antioxidants are acquired through our food, or nutrition.These are referred to as exogenous (from outside). Some of the recognizable ones are:

•       Vitamin A
•       Vitamin E
•       Vitamin C
•       Carotenoids
•       Lipoic Acid
•       Selenium

And there are two antioxidant chemicals that the body can produce, or synthesize, on its own. They are referred to as endogenous (inside, or produced by our own cells).  

They are:

•       Glutathione
•       Uric Acid

Together, all these different antioxidants work together and are deployed based on their varying chemical structures. This legion of antioxidants is often referred to as the antioxidant network. Among them all, Glutathione is considered the Master Antioxidant. It is the defender of cells. And it is capable of recycling other antioxidants, of recycling itself, of repairing damaged cells affected by free radicals, of protecting DNA, and more.

A diet that delivers an array of antioxidants is optimum for helping defend against free radicals. The following are considered the top twenty foods rich in antioxidants:

Small Red Beans
Wild Blueberries
Red Kidney Beans
Pinto Beans
Cultivated Blueberries
Cranberries
Artichokes
Blackberries
Prunes
Raspberries
Strawberries
Red Delicious Apples
Granny Smith Apples
Pecans
Sweet Cherries
Black Plums
Russet Potatoes
Black Beans
Plums
Gala Apples¹

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¹http://suite101.com/article/top-20-foods-high-in-antioxidants-a60889

And enhancing Glutathione – elevating the body’s self-made supply to effective and sustainable levels – is effective in promoting optimum health and wellness and combating the signs of aging. RiboCeine technology that is available only from Max is scientifically proven to deliver to cells what they need to produce an effective amount of Glutathione.

When free radicals outnumber antioxidants oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress causes illness and even death. Take the time to know these antioxidant basics, balance your life with proper nutrition your body relies on, elevate your Glutathione effectively (through Max’s RiboCeine technology), and Live your Life to the Max.

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