Why Are Antioxidant Supplements the Latest Craze?

You probably know by now that antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in plants and animals. Your body makes them in order to control the oxidation processes that happen in each cell. Oxidation is the process through which our bodies burn organic matter. This allows us to function, move and keep our temperatures constant. Sometimes, the burning process leaves fragments of molecules behind. These are called free radicals and they “attack” every other molecule they encounter, damaging the cells that contain them.

The antioxidants help keep the levels of free radicals in the body low enough that the damage they cause is minimal. Free radicals are unstable fragments of molecules that result from incomplete burning of organic matter in cells. After they are released in the blood flow, they attach to any molecule they find in their way through their extra electrons and damage the cells that contain these modified molecules. You will never be able to eliminate all of the free radicals in your body and it isn’t advisable to either.

Antioxidants come in many forms, either as vitamins like A, C and E, enzymes, or other kinds of proteins. They can be extracted from antioxidant-rich plants, such as the acai berries, the African mango, green coffee beans, green tea and raspberries.

Eat a balanced diet and stay fit 

The supplements are not meant to substitute a balanced diet, nor do they replace the need to exercise regularly. They are meant to give your body the extra little help it needs to keep the balance. They are not intended to be used in excess either and it’s important that you read and follow the dosing instructions on the product labels. As you well know, anything in excess can harm you.

So why the big antioxidant supplement craze lately? We’ve known for a long time of the benefits of vitamins in daily life. They invigorate us and help us fight off diseases. We know that when sailors who didn’t have access to fresh fruit for months at a time would end up without teeth and almost blind. But for many years now they’ve been produced from synthetic compounds, not made of natural products. Now you can easily find antioxidant supplement based on plant extracts from controlled environments. And since it’s the dawn of environmentalism and green living, it’s very important to know where your food comes from, including the dietary supplements.

Everyone wants to live a healthy life with as little effort as possible. So the emphasis on antioxidants and dietary supplements has risen in the media. This is partly due to the modern products based on plant extracts and their appeal, and partly due to controversial recent studies. Scientists published their studies on the effects of antioxidant supplements on the incidence of different kinds of diseases. They also studied the effects antioxidants have on frequent health conditions, such as heart disease and cancer.

What they don’t take into account is that there are many factors at play in ill people’s lives, not just the intake of vitamins and food enzymes. Antioxidant supplements are intended to complete a healthy lifestyle; different kinds of supplements might be needed for different people with their different diets and workout regimen, work-related kinds of stress (intellectual, physical or social) and leisure time activities. They are not intended to fight off symptoms of diseases.

Recently, the market has boomed with online and offline stores that sell antioxidant supplements, some as a part of a larger offering, some as stand-alone distributors of antioxidant supplements. The best way to choose the one suitable to you is to first decide which supplements your body and lifestyle need. For that you should first do the routine medical check, then consult a nutritionist or your general practitioner who will recommend the proper supplement you need.

Dandelions - an excellent source of vitamin A

You might be having a vitamin A deficiency, but don’t have access to fresh fruits and green vegetables. You also probably don’t like eating liver or dandelions, so the nutritionist might recommend vitamin A supplements. Of course you should try your best at incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, but sometimes they’re not enough.

The next step is finding a reliable provider and there you shouldn’t have a problem. Follow other people’s reviews, see what they recommend, either online or offline and don’t give up quality for a cheap item that might as well be sugar capsules.

Be careful and choose your supplements and provider wisely and don’t forget to live a balanced life!