You hear the word  antioxidants being thrown around a lot when it comes to your health. The term gets slapped onto vitamins for marketing purposes, it's used to sell diet programs, and people talk about these mysterious nutrients all the time when telling you which fruits and vegetables you need to eat. While most people agree that antioxidants are good, they don't really know why, or what these chemicals do in your body that makes them such a necessity.

What are Antioxidants?

We all know the human body uses oxygen, but what we may have missed is that when that happens your body also releases free radicals. Free radicals can damage your body , and they can be exacerbated by habits like smoking, exposure to pollution, and other unhealthy situations. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and others, act as free radical neutralizers. In short antioxidants protect your cells from damage, and help keep you healthy by reining in free radicals.

Where Can You Get Antioxidants?

Ideally you should be getting your antioxidants from a rich and varied diet. Citrus fruits like oranges and limes, as well as tomatoes, carrots, fish and shellfish, garlic, especially berries, and other foods can all give you different types of antioxidants. If you don't get all of the antioxidants you need from your diet, though, you can get a boost from taking supplements , vitamins, and from drinking necessary mixes and juices. Look for supplements with a broad variety of food sourced ingredients to give your body whole body antioxidant protection. Each part of your body has a unique antioxidant need.

Are Antioxidants Good for You?

Eating more of the foods that antioxidants are found in naturally is almost always going to be a good thing. But before you decide to just start downing antioxidants in the hopes it will make you healthier, it's important to talk to your doctor. Everyone's health is different, and adding a new supplement to your wellness regimen should be discussed with your doctor to ensure that you are as healthy as you can possibly be and are getting the right antioxidants for you.

For more information on antioxidants, and how you can incorporate more of them into your diet, simply  contact us  today!