Transform Your Well-being with Antioxidant Supplements
,
by SANUSq Research team
Transform Your Well-being with Antioxidant Supplements
Antioxidants are natural substances that have the ability to protect cells and tissues from everyday damage, and wear and tear. This damage is inflicted by free radicals, toxic by-products that are naturally produced by the body during bio-chemical reactions. Can antioxidant supplements help fight free radicals and reduce your risk of inflammation and associated chronic diseases?
Environmental exposure to smoking, pollutants and chemicals in our food and medicines also trigger the body to produce excessive amounts of free radicals. Experts believe that the damage caused by free radicals can build-up as oxidative stress in the cells, a process that triggers inflammation and manifests as inflammation, premature ageing and chronic diseases.
Why You Should Take Antioxidant Supplements
Our body processes oxygen to produce energy and carry out complex bio-chemical reactions that maintain and sustain life. Ironically, these life-sustaining reactions generate harmful by-products such as free radicals that cause oxidative damage to the cells and their fragile components such as membranes, lipids, DNA, mitochondria and proteins. In fact, "free radical theory" is one of the many theories of ageing that explains how the gradual accumulation of oxidative damage in the body works as a key driver of ageing.
Our body has in place various strategies to control as well as repair the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. For example, it relies on the supply of endogenous (produced naturally by the body) and exogenous (obtained from the food and supplements) anti-oxidant molecules to counter the effects of the free radicals.
However, excessive production of these highly reactive molecules places a burden on your body's inherent ability to clear or manage them, resulting in an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body.
Environmental factors such as smoking, sun-exposure, consumption of processed food, medication, chronic stress, radiation and exposure to pesticides, heavy metals and pollution cause your body to produce more free radicals than it can naturally manage. Uncontrolled production of free radicals is known to trigger oxidative stress and inflammation in the tissues, accelerate ageing and give rise to a number of health conditions. For example, oxidative damage is one of main perpetrators of inflammation in the arteries that increases the risk of atherosclerosis (build-up of plaque that causes hardening or thickening of arteries), heart attack and stroke. Similarly, oxidative damage and the resulting inflammation has been linked to the onset and progression of many other health conditions including diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, high blood pressure and obesity.
This is where a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and use of antioxidant supplements play an important role in keeping your cells well- equipped to neutralize the destruction caused by free radicals, thus minimizing the risk of inflammation and chronic ailments.
Key Benefits of Antioxidant Supplements
Studies show that antioxidants such as magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin C, curcumin (compound found in the spice turmeric), CoQ10, resveratrol, ashwagandha, glutathione, and vitamin E help manage or reduce the risk of many serious health conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stress, anxiety, depression high blood pressure, neuro-degenerative disorders, arthritis, metabolic disorders and obesity. [1-6]
Antioxidant Supplements Health Benefits: A Closer Look
In order to understand how antioxidants work in the body and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, let’s first explore how free radicals damage cells and cellular structures, and contribute to inflammation and chronic diseases. Free radicals are molecules that lack electrons, a quality that makes them highly unstable and reactive. In their attempt to get stabilised, they are always on a look-out for extra electrons. That’s why free radicals tend to attack nearby biological molecules that lack stability due to missing electrons. Free radicals attack healthy cells and their components (cell membranes, DNA, proteins etc.) and snatch their electrons, creating more and more unstable molecules in the process.
This gives rise to chain reactions that are difficult to control and manage. Free radicals compromise the structure and function of fragile cellular components, leading to tissue damage, cellular dysfunction and premature ageing.
Antioxidants, obtained from diet and dietary supplements, are amazing substances that are stable and have extra electrons. Antioxidants donate some of their electrons to free radicals that are on a rampage, and neutralize them. In fact, antioxidants work at different levels as they not only prevent and minimize the oxidative damage but also help repair, degrade and remove the oxidized molecules.
Exploring Natural Sources of Antioxidants
A variety of plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs and seeds, are a rich source of antioxidants. They contain vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds that work as antioxidants and scavenge free radicals.
Examples;
Berries (blueberries, strawberries, goji berries)
Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale)
Nuts and seeds
Dark chocolate
Green tea
Why Consider Taking Antioxidant Supplements?
Consuming plant-based foods has many benefits as these foods are not only a rich source of naturally occurring compounds with powerful anti-oxidant properties, these foods are also loaded with fibre and important micro-nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
Unfortunately, modern food habits and a negative shift in our lifestyles have taken a tremendous toll on our overall health. Increased consumption of processed foods, reduced intake of whole and fresh foods and a sedentary lifestyle have opened the door to nutritional deficiencies and other health conditions that can otherwise be prevented. Taking antioxidant supplements can strengthen your body’s natural ability to ward off infection, fight inflammation and reduce the risk of developing certain diseases. These supplements also help prevent and manage nutritional deficiencies which, if not balanced, can cause a myriad of infectious, metabolic and inflammatory disorders.
Choosing the Right Antioxidant Supplements
Regular antioxidant supplements are often mixed with unknown additives and present absorption and bio-availability issues as the nutrients tend to break-down in the digestive tract, and the body finds it difficult to absorb and use the nutrient effectively. Pure herbal products are a better option but the best option is liposomal technology, which enhances the effectiveness of supplements by making them more bio-available. [7]
Liposomes are small sized bubbles made up of phospholipids, the same fatty material that our cell membranes are made up of. The liposomes have a unique structure that protects the enclosed nutrients and antioxidant substances from damage and destruction in the gastrointestinal tract. This property makes them a very efficient carrier of vitamins, minerals and antioxidant substances that are delivered directly to the cells. Taking liposomal supplements is a better way to improve your body's ability to fight free radicals, oxidative damage and nutritional deficiencies.
Conclusion
Although free radicals are naturally produced during metabolic reactions and are even considered to be helpful in low or moderate concentrations (for example, our immune system uses free radicals to fight off pathogens,), it is the overwhelming production that causes chaos and disorder. This is where antioxidant supplements can help as they can neutralize these dangerous molecules, reduce the oxidative damage and even repair the cellular damage.
FAQs
What are the benefits of taking antioxidant supplements?
Antioxidant supplements protects cells from the oxidative damage that is known to cause inflammation and diseases. These supplements may reduce your risk of developing many health diseases that are rooted in inflammation, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, arthritis and neuro-degenerative disorders.
Are there any potential side effects of taking antioxidant supplements?
Most antioxidant supplements are generally safe in recommend doses. You may occasionally experience mild side effects such as upset stomach that can be temporary. Not all supplements are recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with existing medical conditions and children. Always refer to your healthcare professional for advice.
How long does it take to notice the benefits of antioxidant supplements?
It may take a few days, weeks or even months to notice the benefits of antioxidant supplements. A lot depends on the dosage, duration, the kind of supplement (liposomal supplements offer faster results), and your medical condition.
Information on our websites, in our blogs and our emails are provided for informational purposes only, and have not been evaluated by the EMA, EFSA or FDA. It is not meant to substitute medical advice provided by your healthcare professional and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Our products are intended for adults, 18 years of age and older. While the vitamins and supplements mentioned here have been shown to have various health benefits, it is important to remember that supplements and dietary changes should be considered as part of an overall health plan and not as a substitute for professional medical treatment. Only a qualified healthcare practitioner can provide personalized advice and treatment plans based on your individual health needs and medical history, and you should seek advice from your healthcare professional before taking product(s) if you are pregnant or nursing.
Blog posts
,
by SANUSq Research team
Vitamin D Deficiency: A Hidden Culprit Behind Dental Cavities in Older Adults
As you navigate the complexities of ageing, it's crucial to remain vigilant about your overall health, including your oral well-being. While dental cavities are often...
,
by SANUSq Research team
Transform Your Well-being with Antioxidant Supplements
Transform Your Well-being with Antioxidant Supplements Antioxidants are natural substances that have the ability to protect cells and tissues from everyday damage, and wear and...
,
by SANUSq Research team
Can Antibiotics Cause Depression? - Exploring the Link
Antibiotics are a class of medications that have revolutionised modern medicine, saving countless lives by combating bacterial infections. These potent drugs work by either killing...
