Antioxidant

Also known as “free radical scavengers,” antioxidants are molecules that provide us protection against free radicals that can cause cell damage. Our body generates its antioxidants to fight against free radicals, which are called endogenous. There are antioxidants that we get from outside the body, which are known as exogenous.

 

What are free radicals?

An imbalance caused by the disproportion between the production and accumulation of Oxygen Reactive Species in cells and tissues is called oxidative stress. Because of the constant attack of oxidative stress, oxygen in the body breaks into single atoms with unpaired electrons. As we already know, electrons are always in pairs hence, these unpaired electrons are called free radicals which keep on scavenging the body to get paired.

·       How do free radicals harm us?

§  It may cause cell membrane breakage leading to the alteration of what enters and exits the cell.

§   It can also cause a change in the structure of lipids, increasing the possibility of getting trapped in an artery.

§  The damaged particles may mutate and cause tumours.

§   Huge damage may cause a change in the DNA code.

 

 

Now we are aware of the fact that antioxidants are generated inside the body and outside the body. One of the major sources of exogenous antioxidants is plants which is called phytonutrient. Various types of antioxidants are found in plants and other sources with their benefits.       

 

Types, sources and their benefits:

           Types

              Sources

             Benefits

Anthocyanin

Purple fruits and vegetables

Improves blood vessel health.

Resveratrol

Dark chocolate, peanuts, wine and grapes

Boosts heart and lung health.

Isoflavones

Soybeans

Promotes bone health, reduces joint inflammation, relieves menopause symptoms helps in the prevention of breast cancer.

Lycopene

Red and pink fruits and vegetables

Improves prostate and heart health.

Lutein

Green and leafy vegetables

Promotes eye and heart health.

Beta-carotene

Orange-coloured fruits and vegetables

Boosts eye, immune and bone health.

 

 

 

 

Vitamin & minerals, sources and benefits:

 Vitamins & Minerals

              Sources

              Benefits  

Manganese

Seafood, lean meat, nuts and milk

Energy booster helps in wound healing and reduces blood sugar.

Selenium

Seafood, whole grains, offal meat

Prevents certain types of cancer, and improves bone and mental health.

copper

Seafood, lean meat, nuts and milk

Helps in the maintenance of bones, blood vessels immune health.

Zinc

Seafood, lean meat, nuts and milk

Improves the functioning of the immune system and enhances metabolism.

Iron

Dry fruits, beans, leafy vegetables and red meat

Prevents damage to the cell membrane, betterment of athletic performance and treats anaemia.

Vitamin C

Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell pepper, broccoli, kiwi

Reduces the risk of chronic disease, prevents iron deficiency, and protects memory

Vitamin E

Wheat germ oil, avocados, nuts, vegetable oil, whole grains

Improves vision, brain development, skin and hair health.

Vitamin A

Liver, sweet potatoes, milk, egg yolk, carrot

Anti-ageing properties improve immune, eye and skin health.

 

Why you should take antioxidant supplements?

Living in the era of technology and social media while competing for unachievable life goals and stressing ourselves to the extent of despair we kept ignoring our health whether it be mental or physical all along. And in all that mess there came COVID which shook our lives and transformed not only us but our whole lifestyles. And now it’s necessary to address the elephant in the room and take good care of ourselves. But, we can’t ignore our earlier lifestyles and work what we need to do is make a proper balance between the two. To do the same, we need the necessary nutrients and antioxidants in our body.  

Nutrients and Antioxidants are crucial in the making of our health system. And we can rely on external sources of antioxidants if our body has a deficiency of these nutrients and antioxidants.  There are different kinds of supplements available in the market but Kee7 by one of the best antioxidant supplements with the highest lycopene content which is 15000mcg.  It is a synergistic combination of 7 powerful ingredients that provide many health benefits including skin and hair health.

It is also helpful in IUGR and OSMF. Studies have also proved that the intake of lycopene can help with male infertility, a problem that is left unnoticed and undiscussed.