Antioxidants, Nature's Defence System

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are not some miracle drugs created by mankind. It is truly a miracle created by Nature for our healthy existence. The only thing unnatural about them, is its name given to it by mankind. Other than that, they are all natural!!!

Just because we can't see bacteria or virus, doesn't mean they do not exist. We only knew of these little inhabitants of our planet (and our bodies) through the advancement of science and technology.

Similarly, with antioxidants, they have been here on Planet Earth from the beginning of time!!! -- It is only through the advancement of science and technology, we reached a stage where they can be "uncovered" - and this is only as recent as 50 odd years ago.

Even in the era where they were "unknown" to us, they were already "be of service" man and animals, to provide optimal health for man and beasts alike. Only through the advancement of science and technology that we are now more able to understand the workings of antioxidants to be able to use them better, to help us in our health journey.

Hence, Antioxidants are a Miracle but a Miracle of Nature's Own.

So, what is this Miracle of Nature made of ?

It is but a compound/substance that:

  • can be produced by the body (such as Lipoic Acid, Glutathione)

or

  • occurs naturally in foods/supplements or derived from foods (such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Carotenoids, Flavanoids)


They can be, either :

  • water soluble (such as Gluthathione)- penetrate the cell membranes (lipid) to work in the cells

or

  • fat (lipids) soluble  (such as Co-enzyme Q10, Vitamin E) - work around the cells to protect the cell

or

  • both, though rare (such as Lipoic Acid, Crocetin)


However they are obtained, or whether they are fat or water soluble, they provide the defense for our cells against Free Radicals. (Check out our article on Free Radicals). Free Radicals are known to cause damage to our cells, causing diseases as a result.


Anitioxidants, on the other hand, defend our cells against Free Radicals by :

  • "building" the protection around the damaged cells to prevent it from multiplying

or

  • going into the cells to arrest the damage caused by the Free Radicals and in turn arrest the damaged cells


As a result, Antioxidants helps the body to :

  • fight the diseases caused by Free Radicals
  • build the body's immune system

How Antioxidants Work?

So, how do these worker-bees work, for our health?

For ease of explanation:

I) The Direct Method - where they work directly on the Free Radicals

And as science has it, we can further break-down this method into:

A) "chain-breaking" effect - where one antioxidant neutralizes a free radical, and it becomes a free radical in the process but of a lesser potency, and another antioxidant comes along to neutralize the antioxidants which have become (the lesser potent) free radicals in their quest to neutralize the (real) Free Radicals. And so, the "chain" reaction begins ... until the "last" antioxidant while having become a free radical in the free radical in the process, but is such a weak free radical that it cannot do any damage to the cells.

B) the direct neutralizing effect - where the antioxidant on encountering the Free Radical, "bond" with the free radical to neutralize the Free Radical

II) The Indirect Method - where they help to induce or produce other antioxidants.

So, as you can see, science have come a long way in finding out more and more of our friendly cell and health protector!

ANTIOXIDANTS! Yay!!!!

Band of Antioxidants Working Closely Together...

According to the book, "The Antioxidants Miracle", antioxidants generally work together -- the chain-breaking types -- to provide the defense the cells and the body, need from Free Radicals.

As such, it is always recommended to take multi-antioxidants, at the same time. Not because they can't work alone, but because they work best together! Their potency, when they work together, is more than if they work alone!

In particular, a group of antioxidants works very well together, called the "Antioxidant Network" made up of :

  • Lipoic Acid
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Co-enzyme Q10 (Co10)
  • Gluthatione

And then there are also the "Supporters"...

However, the other antioxidants, though not included in this "network", support or enhance the work of this network, such as :

  • Flavanoids
  • Carotenoids

Having said that, the Flavanoids and Carotenoids work well on their own, too, just that they do support the workings of the Antioxidants Network group, and other antioxidants, for that matter.

Antioxidants to the Defend...

Antioxidant has been hailed as the best defense agent against Free Radicals, the culprits of many diseases.

According to the Packer Plan (from the book "The Antioxidant Miracle"), "it is virtually impossible to get the optimal amount of antioxidants through food alone", and hence, we need to supplement our intake.

Super Lutein ... A Multi-Antioxidant Formula

Super Lutein is a supplement rich in antioxidants, and can help you to achieve optimal health, if that is indeed your target!

Hydrogen is an Antioxidant

That's right! We are talking of the gas itself! The Hydrogen in its natural form, as a type of gas!

Hydrogen is the best "direct neutralizing effect" (see writings above, for how it works) antioxidant around! It is one that can work alone ...

Hydrogen as a supplement has been in the Japanese market for decades! Yes, the fountain on youth has been kept a long secret in Japan!

Izumio ... a Single Antioxidant Formula

Izumio is a supplement rich in antioxidants, and can help you to achieve optimal health and optimal beauty, if that is indeed your target!

Recommended Reading : The Antioxidant Miracle

Major source of the above information is obtained from a wonderful book called, "The Antioxidant Miracle" by Dr Lester Packer PhD and Carol Colman. Dr Lester is known as the "Father of Antioxidants" and, dubbed "Dr Antioxidants" by his colleagues. This book is very well written and full of useful information on Antioxidants and I totally recommend it. He (and Ms Colman) writes with so much passion and excitement that makes this book very easy to read even though it's full of factual accounts. If you want to know more about Anitoxidants, what better source than from the Professor who spent all his research life on this natural wonder that can bring us youthful health at any age. Yes, it's all natural !

I quote from other sources, too. The above and the other writings in this website constitute my own research and readings, summarized for your information only.

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