Antioxidant vitamin

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. But what are antioxidants? And why are they so important? To get to the bottom of all the buzz, we spoke with registered dietitianNicole Hopsecger, RD, LD. What are antioxidants? “Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemicals in foods that can serve as a defense against The primary benefit of antioxidants is their ability to safely react with free radicals before damage can be done on a cellular level. Basically, “Antioxidants fight free radicals,” says Hopsecger. “Free radicals can damage the body’s cells by changing a cell’s DNA, or it can alter a cell’s membrane,” explains Hopsecger. “This interaction between free radicals and the body is called oxidative stress, which is often thought to be what contributes to the increased risk of developing chronic disease.” Hopsecger says that while fighting free radicals is the primary benefit of antioxidants, there is a secondary benefit. “Indirectly, antioxidants help reduce the risk of chronic disease development because they negate those free radicals from causing havoc to our cells,” Hopsecger says. Antioxidants and your diet While Antioxidant-rich foods Some examples of antioxidants and the foods (and vitamin sources) in which you can find them, according to Hopsecger, include: • Vitamin C:Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes an...

Some vitamins and minerals — including vitamins C and E and the minerals copper, zinc, and selenium — serve as antioxidants, in addition to other vital roles. "Antioxidant" is a general term for any compound that can counteract unstable molecules called free radicals that damage DNA, cell membranes, and other parts of cells. Because free radicals lack a full complement of electrons, they steal electrons from other molecules and damage those molecules in the process. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by giving up some of their own electrons. In making this sacrifice, they act as a natural "off" switch for the free radicals. This helps break a chain reaction that can affect other molecules in the cell and other cells in the body. But it is important to recognize that the term "antioxidant" reflects a chemical property rather than a specific nutritional property. While free radicals are damaging by their very nature, they are an inescapable part of life. The body generates free radicals in response to environmental insults, such as tobacco smoke, ultraviolet rays, and air pollution, but they are also a natural byproduct of normal processes in cells. When the immune system musters to fight intruders, for example, the oxygen it uses spins off an army of free radicals that destroy viruses, bacteria, and damaged body cells in an oxidative burst. Some normal production of free radicals also occurs during exercise. This appears to be necessary in order to induce some of the ben...

Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body. They’re linked to multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and Your body has its own antioxidant defenses to keep free radicals in check. However, antioxidants are also found in food, especially in Antioxidant preservatives also play a crucial role in food production by increasing shelf life. SUMMARY Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that can harm your cells. Free radicals are constantly being formed in your body. Without antioxidants, free radicals would cause serious harm very quickly, eventually resulting in death. However, free radicals also serve important functions that are essential for health ( For example, your immune cells use free radicals to fight infections ( As a result, your body needs to maintain a certain balance of free radicals and antioxidants. When free radicals outnumber antioxidants, it can lead to a state called oxidative stress. Prolonged oxidative stress can damage your DNA and other important molecules in your body. Sometimes it even leads to cell death. Damage to your DNA increases your risk of cancer, and some scientists have theorized that it plays a pivotal role in the aging process ( Several lifestyle, stress, and environmental factors are known to promote excessive free radical formation and oxidative stress, including: • air p...

\( \newcommand\), is an important cofactor for several antioxidant enzymes, but it will be covered in more depth in the macronutrient metabolism micronutrients chapter ( Free Radicals & Oxidative Stress Before you can understand what an antioxidant is, it is important to have an understanding of oxidants. As you have learned already, oxidation is the loss of an electron as shown below. Figure \(\PageIndex\): The purple compound is oxidized; the orange compound is reduced Some important terms to understand are described in the following sections. Free Radical Free Radical a molecule with an unpaired electron in its outer orbital. The following example shows normal oxygen losing an electron from its outer orbital and thus, becoming an oxygen free radical. Figure \(\PageIndex\): Normal oxygen is converted to an oxygen free radical by losing one electron in its outer orbital, leaving one unpaired electron Free radicals are highly reactive because they actively seek an electron to stabilize the molecule. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is an unstable oxygen-containing molecule that seeks out other compounds to react with. Some ROS have radicals meaning they are oxygen-containing free radicals. Some of the most common ROS are (● symbolizes radical): • Superoxide (\(\ce\)) Video \(\PageIndex\): Free radicals can attack LDL, proteins, and DNA Oxidized LDL is more atherogenic, meaning it is more likely to contribute to atherosclerosis (hardening of the a...

Eating a balanced meal is hard can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Maybe you’re pretty satisfied with your diet and you’re just looking to incorporate some extra punches of nutrition to your day-to-day snacks. Maybe you’re unhappy with your current diet, and you’re looking to make smaller, more measured changes that will be easier to stick to overtime. Either way you’re coming at it, it's always a great idea to incorporate more antioxidants in your diet. “An antioxidant is a naturally occurring compound found in vitamins and minerals that combat free radicals in the body,” says Meryl Pritchard, a nutritionist and wellness chef. “Free radicals are a natural byproduct when we convert food into energy, and also come from outside sources like environmental toxins found in our air, water, food, and cleaning/beauty supplies. Free radicals can be harmful because they may have the ability to damage our DNA structure, and in large amounts can cause oxidative stress which can lead to disease. "Antioxidant basically means anti-oxidation. You can think of oxidation as rusting, or aging in the body, caused by free radicals," she continues. "Antioxidants combat these free radicals—safely removing them from our body, help the processing of repairing our DNA, and keep cells healthy. It’s easiest for us to consume antioxidants in their natural form through our food.” Luckily, you don't have to take sketchy supplements to increase your antioxidant intake. “Antioxidants are naturall...

Many nutrient-dense foods are rich in antioxidants, including certain types of berries, nuts, and vegetables. These foods have also been linked to other health benefits and may protect against chronic disease. Antioxidants are compounds produced in your body and found in foods. They help defend your cells from damage caused by potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals ( When free radicals accumulate, they can cause oxidative stress. This may damage your DNA and other important structures in your cells. Chronic oxidative stress can increase your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer ( Fortunately, eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help increase your blood antioxidant levels to decrease oxidative stress and reduce the risk of these diseases. Scientists use several tests to measure the antioxidant content of foods. One of the best tests is the FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) analysis. It measures the antioxidant content of foods by determining how well they can neutralize a specific free radical ( The higher the FRAP value, the more antioxidants the food contains. Here are the top 12 healthy foods that are high in antioxidants. Lucky for chocolate lovers, Based on a 2010 FRAP analysis, dark chocolate has up to 15 millimoles (mmol) of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces (oz), or 100 grams (g). This is even more than blueberries and raspberries, which contain up to 9.2 and 4 mmol of antioxidants in the same serving size, re...

\( \newcommand\) • • • • • • • • • • • • • What Are Antioxidants, and Why Do We Need Them? Recall from Unit 1 that atoms are composed of a nucleus, which contains neutrons and protons, and electrons, which orbit the nucleus. Atoms are most stable when they have an even number of electrons, so that they can orbit the nucleus in pairs. An atom or group of atoms with an unpaired electron is called a free radical. Free radicals are inherently unstable and highly reactive. They steal electrons from other molecules in order to stabilize themselves, but in doing so, they create additional free radicals. This electron-grabbing is called oxidation and can set up a chain reaction, creating new free radicals and damaging important molecules along the way, similar to how one falling domino can bring down countless more. Figure 8.12. A free radical is a molecule with an unpaired electron. It can steal electrons from a stable molecule, creating a new free radical and initiating a chain reaction. Antioxidants are molecules that can donate an electron to stabilize and neutralize free radicals. Like a domino that refuses to fall, an antioxidant can stop the free radical chain reaction in its tracks. In donating an electron, the antioxidant itself becomes a free radical. However, antioxidants are special in that they are not very reactive themselves and have processes for quick stabilization. Figure 8.13. Antioxidants stabilize free radicals by donating electrons, preventing the chain react...

Antioxidants can prevent or slow cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. They can increase the risk of inflammation and various health issues. They are sometimes called “free-radical scavengers.” The sources of antioxidants can be natural or artificial. Certain plant-based foods are thought to be rich in antioxidants. Plant-based antioxidants are a kind of phytonutrient, or plant-based nutrient. The body Free radicals are waste substances Factors that increase the production of free radicals in the body can be internal, such as Oxidative stress Antioxidants are said to help neutralize free radicals in our bodies, and this is thought to boost overall health. Share on Pinterest Colorful fruits and vegetables can offer a range of antioxidants. Antioxidants can protect against the cell damage that free radicals cause, known as oxidative stress. Activities and processes that can lead to oxidative stress • mitochondrial activity • excessive exercise • tissue trauma, due to inflammation and injury • ischemia and reperfusion damage • consumption of certain foods, especially refined and processed foods, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and certain dyes and additives • smoking • environmental pollution • radiation • exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides and drugs, including • industrial solvents • ozone Such activities and exposures can result in cell damage. This, in t...