If left unchecked, free radicals can wreak havoc on your physique and cause a multitude of ailments including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, dementia and cancer. Those who are physically active are especially prone to free radical damage. Due to increased oxygen consumption, free radical production skyrockets during exercise and the body's own defense system is unable to cope. This results in an inflammation of muscle tissue, impairing muscular function and slowing recovery. The capacity for muscular repair is thereby reduced, heightening the likelihood of overtraining.
Antioxidants help to quench free radicals and mitigate any potential cellular damage.
In proper dosages, they are completely non-toxic and provide a host of positive benefits. For convenience, various antioxidant formulas are available that combine these little wonders into a single pill. This is called the law of thermodynamics and it is an immutable concept in nutrition. Well, if more water is poured into the bucket than leaks out, water will continue to accumulate and the bucket will eventually overflow. Conversely, if the rate of leakage is greater than the amount of water added, water levels will diminish and the bucket will ultimately empty out.