Antioxidants are a class of molecules that are capable of inhibiting the oxidation of another molecule. Your body naturally circulates various nutrients in your body due to their antioxidant properties. It also manufactures antioxidant enzymes in order to control free radical chain reactions.Some antioxidants are produced by your body, but some are not. In addition, your body’s natural antioxidant production can decline as you age.   Antioxidants play a significant role in your health, as they can control how fast you age by fighting free radicals. Antioxidants are nature’s way of providing your cells with adequate defense against attack by reactive oxygen species (ROS). As long as you have these important micro nutrients, your body will be able to resist aging caused by your everyday exposure to pollutants. If you don’t have an adequate supply of antioxidants to help squelch free radicals, then you can be at risk of oxidative stress, which leads to accelerated tissue and organ damage. Antioxidants also help slow down the aging process, which can have immense effects on your skin health. Other important benefits of antioxidants include:

1. Repairing damaged molecules – Some unique types of antioxidants can repair damaged molecules by donating a hydrogen atom. This is very important when the molecule is a critical one, like your DNA.
2. Blocking metal radical production – Some antioxidants have a chelating effect – they can grab toxic metals like mercury and arsenic, which can cause free radical formation, and “hug” them so strongly to prevent any chemical reaction from taking place. Water-soluble chelating agents can also escort toxic metals out of your body through your urine.
3. Stimulating gene expression and endogenous antioxidant production – Some antioxidants can stimulate your body’s genes and increase your natural defenses.
4. Providing a “shield effect” – Antioxidants, such as flavonoids, can act as a virtual shield by attaching to your DNA to protect it from free radicals attacks.
5. Promoting cancer cells to “commit suicide” – Some antioxidants can provide anti-cancer chemicals that halt cancer growth and force some cancer cells to self-destruct (apoptosis).

 
An antioxidant dietary supplement is very beneficial to your health in conjunction with good nutrition and regular exercise. There are many reasons why an antioxidant dietary supplement might be a helpful addition to your daily vitamin and mineral consumption.   There is also a belief that antioxidants and antioxidant supplements provide an anti-aging mechanism within your body. While it would be fantastic if this was true, it is not. Antioxidants can certainly slow the progression of aging, but nothing has been invented, yet, to put the business of staying young to rest.    
 
Some people who may need to supplement their diet with antioxidants are:

1. 55+ years old
2. Athletes
3. Cancer patients
4. Vegetarians
5. Vitamins and herbs in antioxidant dietary supplements

 
A common vitamin formula found in antioxidant dietary supplements is referred to as ACES:

1. Beta Carotene (Pro-Vitamin A)
2. Vitamin C
3. Vitamin E
4. Selenium

 
Each of these vitamins is rich in antioxidants, and together they create a great boost. The benefits associated with these vitamins and antioxidants found in foods are:

1. Immunity
2. Degenerative disease prevention
3. Cardiovascular health
4. Eye health

 
Antioxidant-rich herbs that are often found in antioxidant dietary supplements are:

1. Rosemary
2. Green tea
3. Grape seeds
4. Jiaogulan

 
Antioxidant supplements fight the free radicals. The reason why antioxidants are so good for you is because they protect your cells from the damage caused by free radicals, and they help repair the cells that have been damaged by free radicals. Free radicals are produced by your cells when they are exposed to oxygen, which results in oxidation. Antioxidants aid your cells in fighting off oxidation, as well as reversing the damaging effect of an oxidized cell.  
 
Antioxidant supplements enhance the immunity. Antioxidants allow your cells to remain healthy and strong. When your body’s cells are thriving, your immune system is performing at its peak, and you have less of a chance of getting sick or an infection. Also, when you reduce the amount of cell damage in your body, you have a much better chance of preventing degenerative diseases associated with aging such as:

1. Cancer
2. Molecular degeneration
3. Alzheimer’s disease
4. Incorporating antioxidant supplements into your diet

 
Antioxidant dietary supplements are a crucial tool in your quest to stay eternally young, but they are not a magic bullet. Taking care of your body’s health from head to toe by maintaining a balanced nutrition plan and regular exercise routine is truly the key to great health and longevity. Antioxidant foods or supplements should be a strong component of your balanced nutrition plan. If you are regularly abusing your body with poor nutrition and lack of motion, increasing the antioxidants will not cancel out the abuse. If you change your lifestyle to become healthier, antioxidants will work in concert with your efforts, and you will benefit much more readily from them.
 
  Antioxidants are important to our bodies to help us maintain our optimal health.  
 
Your body is subject to the cell-damaging effects of free radicals – natural by – products of the body’s daily metabolism. Antioxidants fight free radicals. Free radicals are unstable compounds that can occur naturally in our bodies. They can lead to oxidative stress, which may contribute to pre-mature aging of cells. Antioxidant supplements are a quick and convenient way to get the free-radical fighting antioxidant support that you need. Some of the most effective antioxidants are Vitamin E and Vitamin C.