For decades scientists have researched antioxidants and their potential uses in the human body for everything from helping prevent some cancers and heart disease to their role in boosting the immune system and slowing the ageing process. They are increasingly mentioned in the media and we’ve always highlighted the antioxidant vitamin content of our skincare, but, do we all know what they actually are, why our body needs them and what role they play in keeping our body and skin healthy? We’ve reviewed the expert research to help us explain……
What is oxidation? To properly understand antioxidants we must first understand oxidation. As our skin is our shield from the environment, it is constantly subjected to chemical and environmental ‘attack’ affecting its health and appearance. We all know that too much sun exposure will give us wrinkles, but even people who have never sunbathed will inevitably end up with lines, meaning there must be another factor which causes this effect on skin. The culprit is oxidative damage/stress induced oxidation, which causes free radicals to be formed. Just like an apple that is left out in the sun will soon shrivel up through oxidation, so will our skin unless we slow this oxidative process.
What are free radicals? Our bodies, like everything around us, are full of millions of atoms which have paired positive and negative charges (electrons) which keeps them nicely balanced. In contrast, a free radical has one of these electrons missing, so attempts to steal a charge from normal atoms around it. Free radicals are therefore unbalanced and highly reactive, starting a chain reaction of ‘electron stealing’ which causes chaos as they move around the body. Normally the body can cope well with free radicals, but if there aren’t enough counteracting antioxidants, free radical damage can become excessive and this is when damage can occur. Free radical damage accumulates with age, so it is imperative to be more aware of this and take counteractive steps now.
How do antioxidants help? Essentially, antioxidants are substances that reduce, neutralize, and help prevent the damage done to the body by free radicals. There are many sources of antioxidants - vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, co-enzyme Q10, selenium and zinc to name a few. They essentially help neutralize free radicals by ‘donating’ one of their own electrons, ending the ‘electron stealing’ reaction. The antioxidants themselves don’t then become free radicals as they are stable in either form. Ultimately they can help prevent further cell and tissue damage that could lead to disease..
Top tips to avoid oxidation:
There are so many factors which cause oxidation, not all of which are unavoidable. However there are a few steps you can take to really reduce the risks.
- Avoid or limit your exposure to external oxidative factors (some of which are noted above)
- Stop smoking
- Eat plenty of antioxidant rich foods
- Take an antioxidant dietary supplement
- Use topical skin products with antioxidants to help protect from the outside.
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