The repair process from free radical damage is only 99.9 percent perfect, and in time, the damage is cumulative. This includes damage to DNA which ultimately can result in cancer. It is also well established that reduced serum levels of anti-oxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium may correlate with an increased incidence of cancer, vascular disease and other conditions of aging. In general, it is thought that anti-oxidant supplementation can slow the aging process by 15 to 20 percent. SOD is not absorbed orally, but levels in the body can be increased by supplementing with the nutrients required for its production, copper, manganese and zinc.
Flavonoids are plant pigments which are responsible for the colors of many fruits and flowers.
Quercetin is actually the molecular backbone for the citrus bioflavonoids rutin, quercitrin and hesperidin. Studies, in fact, demonstrate that supplementation with beta-carotene or vitamin E alone may lead to an increase in several types of cancer. This is not unexpected considering the well established data that anti-oxidants work together, such as vitamin C and vitamin E noted above. The conclusion then is that anti-oxidants are best taken together as supplementation, rather then individually. Types of Antioxidants 1.