You likely hear it all the time, especially if you follow health and wellness pages. All of the things that are good for you have antioxidants in them. Broccoli, blueberries, spinach. Make sure you eat them so you get those antioxidants!
But what are they? And why are they so against oxidants?
Simply put, antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals in the body.
Okay, there’s another term often thrown around. Free radicals. What does that mean? Let’s take a look at free radicals first to help better understand the important role of antioxidants.
Free radicals
These molecules are created as a by-product of metabolism. They’re atoms with unpaired electrons. Since electrons want to be paired, these atoms hunt for another to couple with, disrupting and damaging DNA, proteins, and lipids in the process.
They can also be created through lifestyle factors, such as the consumption of junk food, cigarette smoke, alcohol, and air pollution. And when there’s too many of them, the body suffers.
Though, sometimes they help…
Free radicals always exist in your body and can have a positive function. In fact, a good balance between free radicals and antioxidants is thought to be necessary for human health. That’s because they attack foreign invaders, supporting the immune system.
Free radicals have also been found to assist in healing wounds.
But things can spiral out of control…
Free radicals left unchecked can cause a chain reaction. See, when the free radicals go searching for electron pairs, they disrupt the electrons in other molecules. This not only causes more free radicals but damages the DNA and cells of the body. As you can imagine, this increase in free radicals causes even further damage.
This damage is known as oxidative stress. It’s also where antioxidants enter the picture.
So, what exactly do the antioxidants do?
It might be cool to think that the antioxidants come in and kick some free radical butt. However, the real process is much more wholesome. Antioxidants are capable of giving free radicals the electron they’re looking for, without becoming free radicals themselves.
In other words, they go around helping the free radicals by giving them what they need.
But still… what are they?
Antioxidants are molecules that your body requires to function. Some are created on their own, while others need to be sourced externally. The two most common – and important – examples of the latter are vitamin C and vitamin E.
Antioxidants are crucial for maintaining health and keeping free radicals in check. When free radicals are left to their own devices, bad things happen. Due to the damage, they cause on a molecular level, free radicals have been linked to speeding up the aging process, as well as an array of chronic diseases.
As free radicals react so easily with other molecules, they can cause unfavorable changes in the body. But with antioxidants in the mix, the free radicals don’t need to go stirring up trouble.
Keep things in balance
Now that you know the power of antioxidants, why don’t you take care of the free radicals inside of you? Your DNA, proteins, and lipids will be grateful – and so will your body as a whole!
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that your body needs, but doesn’t create on its own. PuraTHRIVE’s Micelle Liposomal Radiant C is designed to be absorbed. Thanks to its enhanced bioavailability, each serving is a powerful dose that your body can actually use. On top of that, our formula also includes vitamin E – another important antioxidant – for that extra kick.