Every new health drink or product seems to boast about its high amount of antioxidants. The term ‘antioxidant’ itself leads to some confusion among most Americans.
An antioxidant, by definition, is not a specific nutritional qualifier but instead describes any compound that inhibits oxidation in the body. Antioxidants are an important part of any healthy diet, and understanding how they work can help you make more informed choices about the food you eat. Read this blog to learn about them and how they help safeguard your body.
Antioxidants Explained
Within the human body, there are molecules called free radicals. Free radicals lack a full set of electrons, meaning they siphon off electrons from nearby molecules, causing potentially damaging chain reactions of continual electron exchange. Antioxidants are compounds that can give up some of their electrons, thereby ending that local chain of free radicals from continuing their process. Free radicals are created through certain natural processes, such as exercise and immune responses, as well as by the body in response to certain stimuli, like pollution, UV rays, tobacco, and other harmful materials.
Free radicals are extremely common in the body, which is why your body always creates antioxidants. Supplementing your body with antioxidants helps the body combat any increases in free radicals stemming from environmental factors or harmful activities such as smoking.
Antioxidant Supplementation
Antioxidant supplementation has not actually been shown to improve health benefits on its own. The most common naturally occurring antioxidants – Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and many plant phytochemicals – are all found in fruits and vegetables. It has been shown that diets high in these antioxidant-rich foods lead to improved health outcomes and antioxidant benefits. However, studies have also shown that supplementing subjects with concentrated antioxidants did not significantly affect health outcomes when all other diet changes were considered. Does this mean that antioxidants are not important for a healthy body?
Instead of being thought of as a magical solution to all possible health ailments, antioxidants should be thought of as a litmus test for the quality of your diet and the number of vitamins you intake on a daily basis. According to the latest science, any person who eats a wide variety of fruits and vegetables should passively consume enough antioxidants to combat any free radical concerns. If you consider your diet lacking in antioxidants, the recommended solution is to change your diet instead of relying solely on antioxidant supplements. The overall health benefits you will see from a change to a healthy diet will vastly outweigh the benefits that addressing your lack of antioxidants can bring, but the diet change will do both simultaneously!
A varied diet also provides certain antioxidant benefits that supplement alone cannot. For example, certain plant phytochemicals work in tandem with vitamins E and C to replenish the lost electrons of the vitamins, allowing them to continue working to limit the free radicals within the body.
Depending on your dietary or lifestyle limitations, supplementation of antioxidants may be warranted in specific scenarios. Always consult a health professional, as too many antioxidants can harm organs such as the lungs. Antioxidants are plentiful in various healthy food options, so crafting a diet to naturally increase your body’s antioxidant level should be possible for most people.
Senior citizens living at an assisted living facility can speak with their doctor and take their recommendations to the administration should their diet need to be revised.
Healthy Lifestyles for Seniors
A Banyan Residence is an assisted living and memory care center located in The Villages. We provide a safe, secure, and engaging lifestyle for our residents, and make sure they stay as healthy and happy as possible. If you are looking for a senior residence in The Villages, call us today for a tour.
