This is the first article in a three-part series on the subject of antioxidants. Part II will discuss the effects of oxidation in the body, and Part III will present a survey of the popular antioxidants and their properties.
Antioxidants are one of the hottest topics in the health field today.
Numerous research studies have demonstrated the link between human health conditions and free radical damage. Countless recently published books and articles emphasize the importance of antioxidants as a key component to continuing good health. In order to understand the role of antioxidants in maintaining health, we need to look first at the chemical actions of free radicals and antioxidants. Let's begin with a brief chemistry lesson. In addition to true free radicals that are characterized by their unpaired electrons, there are certain other highly reactive chemical species that can cause damage in biological systems.