Supplements with antioxidants bring important benefits for both health and aesthetics. Their most important and best known function is to combat the excess of free radicals, that is, molecules of high reactivity and instability (due to one or more unpaired electrons that move free) produced during cellular biochemical reactions.
These radicals if they do not exceed are useful for the homeostasis of your body but if they exceed a certain limit they can create problems ranging from simple fatigue to real DNA damage. And this is where the body’s antioxidant defenses come into play.
Antioxidants, in addition to counteracting the problems given by the free electrons of the radicals, are able to:
- Fight oxidative stress which is the main cause of aging.
- Counteract cell degeneration (due for example to drug abuse and air pollution);
- Support the immune system;
- Give elasticity to the skin.
Supplements with antioxidants: what they are
The main ingredients contained in supplements with antioxidant action are:
- Ascorbic acid or vitamin C. It strengthens the immune system, helps in the treatment of infections and respiratory failures, supports the heart, speeds up the healing of broken bones and keeps tissues young;
- Vitamin E. It is one of the three antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E). It relieves the symptoms of menopause, is effective against wrinkles and is very important for the energy metabolism of cells because it protects the membranes of each cell;
- Coenzyme q10. , strengthens the heart muscle and prevents muscle pain;
- Carotenoids: beta-carotene, which is often converted by your body into vitamin A, deals with protection from ultraviolet radiation; lutein, important in the prevention of eye problems, and lycopene;
- Selenium. It is an anti-inflammatory;
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid. It is present in many anti-wrinkle creams;
- Gli Omega-3. They keep bad cholesterol under control;
- Astaxanthin. It is the most powerful antioxidant known so far: it is extracted from an algae and when taken it spreads to the central nervous system, lungs, etc.;
- Glutathione. It is found in the liver and protects your body from alcohol and smoking;
- Melatonin. It brings benefits to the stomach, relieves heartburn and tinnitus.
Studies have found a considerable importance of these antioxidant substances in preventing oxidation. As regards, however, the usefulness in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases or other serious diseases there are no studies.
Foods rich in antioxidants
In our diet there are many natural antioxidants, let’s see together some with their antioxidant properties:
- Green tea. It contains polyphenols, flavonoids, excellent for preventing cardiovascular problems (not serious), and tannins that help strengthen the hair;
- Beet. Rich in betaine, a dye rich in exogenous antioxidants;
- Carrot. Rich in carotene, an antioxidant pigment that improves skin damaged by the sun’s rays;
- Ginkgo Biloba extract. Rich in flavonoids, excellent for treating allergies, it promotes the functionality of the microcirculation;
- Pomegranate. It contains many active ingredients including ellagic acid which places it among the most important natural antioxidants;
- Turmeric. Curcumin acts at the level of the colon and pancreas but its antioxidant action also includes the joints.
Antioxidant supplements: when to take them
To have a correct dose of antioxidants those who lead a healthy life (do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, do not take too much sun, do not take too many medicines, do constant physical activity, etc.) should eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables of about 250 grams a day.
A person who instead has a less healthy lifestyle needs a greater need not to suffer from a lack of antioxidants, but this would cause digestion problems. And it is for this reason that it is sometimes advisable to resort to food supplements with anti-oxidants such as Supradyn.
The supplements with antioxidants that are on sale are mainly in capsules or tablets such as the Supradyn Refill 50+. Supradyn Refill 50+ in coated tablets or effervescent tablets is a supplement for over 50 rich in mineral salts and plant extracts of olive leaves that exert an antioxidant function. It is recommended to read the warnings and not to exceed the recommended doses.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.