Oxidation is a routine body process that causes destruction of human cells. Many studies proved that this accumulative destruction is what triggers aging and death. It takes place because of normal metabolism, but fastens due to too much exposure to sun, pollution, smoking and alcohol.

Antioxidants are chemical substances that protect body cells from injury caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. A free radical is a kind of charged atom or a part of a molecule.

Damage by these free radicals could lead to tumor. alleviate by interacting with free radicals. Effective antioxidants include lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin E, A and C.

To re-establish their stability, free radicals take an electron from their surroundings. Normally they take electrons from one of human's healthy cells. At this point, antioxidants come into play a vital role by offering its own electrons to the free radicals. Thus, they prevent the body from cellular damage.

Each time, when the free radicals take electrons, antioxidants give away an electron and eventually stop reacting as antioxidants. Thus, it is advisable to supply necessary antioxidant vitamins and other to act as antioxidants.

Antioxidant Supplements and Vitamins:

Antioxidants are rich in fruits as well as vegetables. It also found in abundance in foodstuffs such as nuts, poultry, fish, grains and meats.

&bullBeta-carotene is very useful as antioxidant supplement and found mostly in sweet potatoes, squash, cantaloupe, apricots, carrots, mangoes and pumpkin. A few green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, collard greens are also abundant in beta-carotene.

&bullVitamin A plays an essential role in the antioxidant production. It is one of the effective antioxidant vitamins found abundant in sweet potatoes, mozzarella cheese, carrots, egg yolks and milk.

&bullVitamin E is also one of the main found commonly in almonds and in oils such as wheat germ, soybean and corn oil. It is abundant in mangoes, broccoli, nuts and other foodstuffs.