Free Radicals

Free radicals damage your body's cells by stealing an electron, thus causing the cell to have an uneven amount of electrons.  Electrons must be in pairs to work correctly.  This stolen electron causes cellular damage to your body which can heighten the effects of aging and cause cancer growth.  Once a free radical has formed it can cause a chain reaction and can do major damage if they attack important cellular components such as the cell membranes or your DNA.  It can cause cell to not work correctly or even die.  Antioxidants are the key to stopping free radicals.

Antioxidants protect the body against the destructive effects of free radicals by giving one of its own electrons to the cell, thus making the cell's electrons paired up again. The antioxidant nutrients don’t become free radicals when it gives up an electron, because antioxidants are stable with even or odd electrons.  They help prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to disease.

Vitamin E is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body and is the primary antioxidant to battle free radicals.  Vitamin E works on LDL oxidation and plaque in the arteries and thus can help protect against cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin C is the most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in the human body and works mostly in the cells' fluid.  Vitamin C is the main proponent of free-radical damage caused by toxins and cigarette smoke.  Studies have found that patients who have high levels of vitamin C have lower rates of cancer.