This destructive process has been linked to numerous health deficiencies and could actually accelerate the aging process. They're produced in the body during normal metabolic processes such as energy production, detoxification, and immune mechanisms, but lifestyle and environment may also contribute to the body's free radical burden. For example, cigarette smoke greatly increases the level of free radicals in your body which, in turn, depletes the level of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Other external sources of free radicals include ionizing radiation, chemotherapeutic drugs, anesthetics, air pollutants, pesticides, fried foods, alcohol, solvents, and formaldehyde. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E protect your cells by binding to free radicals and neutralizing them.
Many antioxidants target specific areas of the body.
For example, grape seed specifically supports the lining of the blood vessels. Try to find an antioxidant complex that combines the advantages of as many different antioxidants as possible for the most comprehensive protection. Targeting body functions Nutrition can also play a key role in supporting specific body functions. Let's take blood sugar metabolism for example. Research indicates that people who are diabetics have much to gain from herbs such as Gymnema sylvestre and bitter melon.