Many people are familiar with the term “antioxidant.” They understand that they’re beneficial to one’s health, but not clear on how. They may understand that antioxidants are nutrients, and even where they come from (vitamins E and C, as well as many other foods). Understanding exactly WHY you need antioxidants may help you be more committed to making sure you get them.
The basic fact is that antioxidants prevent slow oxidative damage, also called “oxidative stress.” When cells use oxygen, they generate free radicals which can cause cellular damage. Cells are made up of many molecules, and those molecules are joined by chemical bonds. Free radicals are unstable molecules that attack stable molecules to steal their electron. The attacked molecule, when it loses its electron, becomes unstable and a free radical itself. This creates a chain reaction and eventually can disrupt a living cell.
Antioxidants “hunt” free radicals and prevent them from doing damage. So, picture a war going on in your body where free radicals are attacking healthy, stable molecules. Antioxidants neutralize the warring free radicals by hunting them down and donating their own electrons to stabilize the free radicals. They step in and stop the chain reaction that was creating more free radicals.
So, by simply wearing a Nutri-Patch Antioxidant vitamin patch, you are helping defeat free radicals and protect the healthy cells in your body.
Signs of Oxidative Stress
Free radicals are necessary to a degree. It is when they get out of control that oxidative stress occurs. It also occurs when your immune system is fighting off bacteria or when your body is trying to detoxify pollutants (think cigarette smoke, pesticides etc.). Oxidative stress happens when we are emotionally stressed or physically exhausted. Symptoms you can look for include: fatigue, recurring headaches, memory loss, and a weakened immune system.
Other illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Anxiety, and cancer have also been associated with oxidative stress. Modern society and its pressures makes it nearly impossible to lead a stress free life, but there are also measures you can take to defend against oxidative stress.
Defending Yourself Against Oxidative Stress
Thankfully, modern science has not only given us insight into how free radicals work and the signs of oxidative stress, it has also given us the knowledge to fight back. Decreasing our exposure to stress and toxins is a first step in protecting our health. Here are steps you can take to reduce oxidative stress:
- Decrease your intake of sugar and other chemicals.
- Avoid processed foods.
- Buy organic foods to reduce your intake of pesticides.
- Reduce stress with yoga, meditation,or other methods that calm you.
- Eat smaller meals more often rather than large meals 3 times per day.
- Increase your intake of antioxidants.
One way to increase your intake of antioxidants is to change your diet. Your body produces glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, when you eat foods that trigger its production. They include Asparagus, Spinach, Tomatoes, Peaches, Walnuts, Garlic, Onion, Broccoli, Kale, and Avocados.
A second, powerful way to increase your antioxidant intake is supplements. By wearing our Antioxidant Vitamin Patch you can send Vitamin C, CoQ10, and NAC into your system.
