You see the buzzword everywhere, especially when it comes to certain essential nutrients and healthy foods like blueberries, apples, and green tea, but what exactly are antioxidants and what role do they play in the body? Good question!
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants can be essential nutrients like Vitamin C and also natural compounds found in foods that help protect the body’s cells against free radicals.
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are unstable atoms that, at high amounts, can damage the body’s DNA, cell membranes, and other parts of the cells.
Free radicals are pretty much everywhere — the body creates them in small amounts. But higher amounts tend to come from things like smoke, ultraviolet rays from the sun, and air pollution. Free radicals don’t have enough of what’s called full electron complement, so they steal electrons from other molecules and end up damaging them in the process. However, the body also has a natural way of fighting them off, which is pretty cool.
What do antioxidants do?
Enter antioxidants. Antioxidants see this electron-stealing and say, “Hey, that’s not cool, borrow some of our electrons instead.” They act as a natural light switch, turning the free radicals off. Pretty neat, huh? Your body does need quite a few of them, due to the free radicals being as plentiful as they are, but the good news is you can add to your intake of antioxidants in a few ways.
How can I make sure I’m getting enough antioxidants?
Keeping a diet rich in antioxidant sources shouldn’t be too much of a problem — yummy foods like kale, tomatoes, berries and oranges are great sources of antioxidants. Salads and smoothies are easy and delicious ways to up your antioxidant game.
Do supplements contain antioxidants?
They can. You’ll find vitamins, C, E and beta-carotene (compounds packed full of antioxidant properties) in a vast assortment of our vitamins and supplements. You’ll find our favorites below, but first here’s a refresher on where these vitamins are helping out:
Vitamin A Beta-carotene is important for vision and the immune system.*
You’ll likely have heard of the benefits of vitamin C; known for a variety of vital functions, including supporting immune health, it also helps support collagen for healthy skin.*
Vitamin E assists with essential vision, blood, brain, and skin health.*
Our antioxidant products:
Alive! Hair, Skin, and Nail Gummies — These juicy strawberry flavored gummies feature 300 mg of collagen and 2,500 mcg of biotin per 2-gummy serving, plus silica and antioxidant vitamins C and E to support your hair, skin, and nails.*
Quercetin Gummies — A dual action blend with a burst of quercetin and 100% Daily Value of zinc to support the body’s immune defenses and provide power antioxidant support.* Quercetin provides antioxidant support and helps move zinc into cells where it’s needed, while zinc promotes healthy immune function.*
Immune Power Gummies — These delicious strawberry-orange flavored gummies are made with over 100% Daily Value of vitamins C and D‡, and an excellent source of zinc. Vitamin C provides powerful antioxidant action.*
Source help:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-antioxidants
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-Consumer/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-c/art-20363932
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-e/art-20364144