Antioxidant is a general term that applies to any organic substance that reduces oxidative stress. What does this mean? Basically, oxidative stress, or free radicals, cause aging and breakdown of cells. Everything in our environment, from things we need (oxygen and sunlight) to harmful toxins (pollution, smoke, heavy metals) cause oxidative damage to our cells. Normal damage causes the signs of aging. Enough damage and you get diseases such as cancer and premature aging.

Antioxidants have come into the health arena as cell protectors.  They work by scavenging free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress and damage to all our cells.  Some examples of antioxidants are vitamins C and E, vitamin A, selenium, and ubiquinone, otherwise known as coenzyme Q10.

Antioxidants are believed to be helpful in treating and preventing cancer, heart disease, stroke, and a whole host of conditions associated with normal aging, including wrinkles!  Many experts believe that the best way to provide the body with the best antioxidant protection is to consume a wide variety of antioxidants, as different antioxidants differ in their protection level and specificity.

Antioxidants are supplied by what we eat.  Our food supply is beautifully designed to provide every antioxidant we will ever need.  Sadly though, processed foods, pesticides, and other factors reduce the effectiveness of antioxidants in our food.  Many diseases could be prevented if we, as people, would eat a diet higher in whole foods.  Because of the high percentage of processed or otherwise adversely affected foods in our diets, many practitioners advocate antioxidant supplementation.

Many people would benefit greatly from supplementing their diet with antioxidants.  Vitamin E, vitamin C, lutein, lycopene, vitamin B2, coenyzme Q10, and cysteine can all be supplied through an oral supplement.  In addition, certain herbs, including grape seed, bilberry, turmeric, ginkgo, milk thistle and green tea also have antioxidant compounds. 

Anti-oxidants come in powder, pill, and capsule form.  Antioxidants are also available in tea forms, such as green tea.  However you get your supplement, it is important to make sure your supplement is pharmaceutical grade and fresh, as well as protected from light and oxygen.