Antioxidants can be viewed in a number of different ways: as insurance against some visible effects of aging; as a tool against the aging process; and as very importantly as defense against the risk of developing certain illnesses and diseases.

What are antioxidants? Essentially, they are substances that reduce, neutralize, and prevent the damage done to the body by free radicals. Free radicals are simply electrons that are no longer attached to atoms. Instead of circling the nucleus of an atom (much like the earth circles the sun), free radicals are both free and radical enough to go careening through our cells, inflicting damage as they go.

What causes free radicals to be formed? A process called oxidation creates free radicals and this process happens in normal metabolic processes and our everyday exposure to our environment. In other words, eating, breathing, and going out in the sun all contribute to the the process of oxidation, free radical formation, and the resulting damage that is caused to the cells of our bodies.

What kind of damage are we talking about? Pretty much every kind you can think of: the deterioration of bone, joints and connective tissue; the wearing out of organs; the decline of the immune system; the advance of visible effects of aging; and to some extent, the aging process itself.

Because free radicals are implicated in all these processes, minimizing and neutralizing their activity with antioxidants may allow us to live longer and healthier lives, look and feel better, and reduce or eliminate the risk of certain kinds of diseases and illnesses. Antioxidants include Vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene, the amino acid Methionine, the hormone Melatonin, minerals Zinc and Selenium, as well as other nutrients such as Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Resveratrol. A diet high in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables is a good, natural source of antioxidants. However, most people do not get an adequate variety or amounts of these foods so we recommend a daily high potency supplement that contains a variety of the various antioxidants. There are also a number of very good powdered beverage products available that contain a wide variety of fruit and vegetable concentrates as well as specific antioxidant supplements.