Antioxidant Vitamins
Antioxidant vitamins
The most commonly known antioxidant vitamins include vitamins E, C and A (also known as beta-carotene), but there is a whole range of minerals that contribute to their great effect and act as antidotes for old age. The benefits of antioxidant vitamins are manifold, but in order to understand them we need to realize what their impact is at the cellular level. Since oxygen is a vital element for cell functions, its processing releases all sorts of products that damage the tissues. Such a substance is the hydrogen peroxide, a so-called free radical. Antioxidant vitamins eliminate these harmful chemicals before they can affect the healthy tissues.
The present-day focus is on the identification of those food items that represent a rich source of antioxidant vitamins, although we need to mention that there are all sorts of antioxidant formulas sold in the supplement form which also prove great for the occasion. The great benefits of antioxidant vitamins is usually noticeable in the fight against cancer, degenerative eye disease, nervous system decay and cardiovascular health problems. Furthermore, people who have a diet rich in antioxidants are better protected against infections since antioxidant vitamins and minerals are known to enhance the function of the immune system.
Antioxidant vitamins should not be taken in excess, moderation and following the doctor's orders are usually required for the best of outcomes, since any over-dose is harmful for the system. There are recognized health problems associated with too much vitamin C, E or A intakes, particularly when very concentrated supplements are used. Hence, antioxidant vitamins need to be administered according to the doctor's orders and only when the regular diet is not able to supply the substances necessary for the proper elimination of the free radicals in the cells. Used wisely, antioxidants have also proved efficient in the post-cancer fight and recovery.
In the treatment of coronary disease, antioxidant vitamins are known to play an important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Many strokes and heart attacks are triggered by this affection that generally results from the tightening of the arterial walls because of the accumulation of fat deposits on the walls. Vitamin C for instance is an incredible remedy for the reduction of such fatty accumulations, not to mention that cholesterol levels are drastically lowered too. Furthermore, we should also mention the cosmetic use of antioxidant vitamins too, as lots of lotions and anti-wrinkle creams rely on their action.