It also utilizes oxygen to help the immune system destroy foreign substances and combat disease. The byproducts of this metabolic process can lead to the development of molecular agents that react with body tissues in a process called oxidation.
Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable.
As they react with other molecules in the body, they can cause damage that leads to cell mutation and destruction. 1 Free radical production is enhanced by certain environmental and food derived toxins, and in part is thought to lead to many of the disease states we encounter. Fortunately, the body has its own arsenal of defenders, including enzyme systems, which help prevent severe damage from occurring. Antioxidants are a class of nutrients which help the body to repair free radical damage. Antioxidants are able to neutralize free radicals in the body.