Antioxidants
provide a layer of protection for the cells and tissues of the body.
Specifically, antioxidants protect against free radical damage. People
must breathe in oxygen to live. Oxygen is necessary for all essential
bodily functions. However, a small amount of oxygen gets loose and
produces unstable by-products called free radicals. Body processes,
such as metabolism, as well as environmental factors, including pollution
and cigarette smoke, can produce free radicals. An overload of free
radicals in the body causes damage to the cells.
Strenuous
exercise increases the body’s production of free radicals, which,
in turn, can cause muscle damage, which manifests as swollen or painful
muscles. While exercise increases the body’s natural defense
against free radicals, athletes who are doing intense training may
benefit from the addition of antioxidant supplements to their diets.
Antioxidants work in a variety of ways to reduce the effects of free
radicals. They can greatly decrease the damage caused by free radicals,
stop them from forming to begin with, or "oxidize" them
by combining with them and neutralizing their harmful effects through
stabilization.
Vitamin
C, a water-soluble vitamin, is also known as ascorbic acid. Most of
the vitamin C in the diet comes from fruits and vegetables. However,
since vitamin C is water soluble, cooking can destroy the vitamin
C in a food. Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds, and
for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. Beyond
that, vitamin C acts against the toxic effects of environmental pollutants
by stimulating liver detoxifying enzymes and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Zinc
is an essential nutrient required by humans and animals alike. Zinc
is a mineral that is vital to healthy living. Zinc is probably most
widely known for its ability to prevent colds and shorten the duration
of colds. This is because of zinc’s powerful ability to strengthen
the immune system and improve white blood cell count. It plays a variety
of biological roles in the body including catalytic, structural, and
regulatory roles. Because vitamin E is found in oils, people who follow
a low-fat diet may not get enough. Vitamin E is effective in preventing
the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, Vitamin
E is helpful in the prevention of oxidation in the lungs, where strong
oxidizing agents nitrogen dioxide and ozone, components of air pollution,
are particularly harmful to people exercising. Vitamin E protects
white and red blood cells, helping the body's immune system.
Beta-carotene
is a member of the carotenoid family. Found mainly in plants, carotenoids
provide the vibrant red, yellow, green, and orange colors of fruits
and vegetables, with carrots being a major contributor of beta-carotene.
Typically, beta-carotene is a conditionally essential nutrient, but
when one's intake of vitamin A is low, beta-carotene becomes an essential
nutrient, meaning that it must be obtained from food and cannot be
manufactured by the body.
Cysteine
is a sulfur-containing non-essential amino acid. It’s required
for healthy skin, detoxification of the body and the production of
collagen (used for skin elasticity and texture). It is used by the
body to manufacturer taurine and glutathione.
Glutathione
is your body’s most abundant natural antioxidant. Glutathione
helps eliminate toxins from the body, and keeps the eyes, central
nervous system, and immune system healthy and strong. Glutathione
also helps turn carbohydrates into energy, and prevents the buildup
of oxidized fats that may contribute to atherosclerosis.
Selenium
is an essential trace mineral. The amount of selenium found in food
is directly related to the amount of selenium in the soil in which
the food was grown. It is necessary for healthy immune function and
is tied to antibody production.
Antioxidants
protect our cells from damage caused by radicals. Because of their
function in cell protection, the benefits of antioxidants are far-reaching
and not contained to a single aspect of our health.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
1. What
are oxidants?
Oxidants are active oxygen components that are the cause of oxidative
damage to biological molecules and can initiate various severe diseases.
2. What
are some sources of oxidants?
Cigarette smoke, exercise, air pollutants, radiation and tissue inflammation
are all possible sources of oxidants.
3. What
are antioxidants?
Antioxidants act as a defense against oxidative damage by helping
to inhibit oxidation reactions
Supplement Facts
Serving
size: 1 tablet
50 Servings per container
Amount per serving % Daily value*
Vitamin A (as beta carotene) 10,000IU 200%
Vitamin C 600mg 1000%
Vitamin E (as D-alpha tocopherol) 250IU 833%
Zinc (as zinc gluconate) 20mg 133%
Selenium (as selenomethionine) 75mcg 107%
L-Cysteine (as L-cysteine HCL monohydrate) 200mg †
L-Glutathione 25mg †
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one tablet daily at mealtime.
Other ingredients: Dicalcium phosphate, cellulose, croscarmellose sodium,
silicon
dioxide, stearic acid, magnesium stearate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose..
