What are antioxidants anyway? How do they work? Why do we need them? These are questions people are asking all the time. Antioxidants have become a hot topic and for good reason. Antiaging research has shown that antioxidants are one of the most important elements in increasing longevity and preventing disease. Just think of it–according to the CDC the top five health killers in America are all affected by lifestyle. By improving our lifestyle we can improve our life.

In order to understand the definition of antioxidants we must first learn about free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are lacking an electron. Oxygen is a major free radical which is why antioxidants got the name. These free radicals are voracious feeders that try to grab an electron from anywhere they can get it to bring themselves back into balance. Unfortunately, the molecule they grab it from becomes “wounded” and thus unable to carry out its function. If this happens in your body it results in cell damage or defective chemical processes.

Enter antioxidants. These are molecules that freely provide an electron to a free radical thus neutralizing the free radical before it can cause damage. Free radicals come from many sources. They are a by product of cellular metabolism, the process whereby the cells produce energy from “food.” If it weren’t for antioxidants our cells would be torn apart and we would quickly die. When God put us together he thought of everything. Inside our cells are four enzymes that quench free radicals thus protecting the integrity of the cell and its processes. Glutathione is the A #1 antioxidant of the four. It is able to recycle itself to provide a continuous supply of electrons to free radicals. When all is said and done the most powerful antioxidant in the world in not in a fruit or berry… it is in your body!

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