Are antioxidants overhyped?

Antioxidants have received much attention in recent years as a way to improve health and prevent disease. While antioxidants are important for overall health, there is some debate about whether they are overhyped and if they live up to the claims made about them.

On one hand, research has shown that antioxidants can positively impact health. They can help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants can also help to improve the overall health of the skin and may have anti-ageing effects.

However, some studies have found that taking antioxidant supplements does not necessarily provide the same benefits as consuming them through a healthy diet. For example, taking high doses of antioxidant supplements may not be as effective, and in some cases may even be harmful. Also, it's important to note that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables which are high in natural antioxidants is considered more beneficial.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are produced naturally in the body as a result of normal metabolism but can also be caused by external factors such as pollution, UV radiation, and cigarette smoke. These molecules can cause damage to cells, including the DNA, proteins and lipids, which can lead to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and ageing.

Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals before they can cause damage to cells. They do this by donating an electron to the free radical, which neutralizes it and prevents it from causing damage. The antioxidant molecule itself is not destroyed in this process, it becomes a different type of antioxidant (oxidized) and can continue to neutralize other free radicals.

Examples of Antioxidants

There are several types of antioxidants, including:

• Vitamin C: found in fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens
• Vitamin E: found in nuts and seeds, avocado, and vegetable oils
• Beta-carotene: found in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin
• Selenium: found in seafood, nuts, and whole grains
• Lycopene: found in tomatoes and watermelon
• Polyphenols: found in fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, and chocolate

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is the best way to get enough antioxidants to support your body's natural antioxidant defence system

Antioxidants are also produced within our body!

Yes, some antioxidants are produced in the body. The body has its own natural antioxidant defence system that helps to neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage. Some examples of antioxidants that are produced in the body include:

• Glutathione: an antioxidant that is produced in the liver and is important for detoxifying the body.
• Superoxide dismutase (SOD): an enzyme that neutralizes the superoxide radical, a type of free radical.
• Catalase: another enzyme that neutralizes hydrogen peroxide, another type of free radical.

The body's natural antioxidant defence system works in combination with antioxidants that are obtained from the diet. When the body is under stress, it produces more free radicals, which can overwhelm the body's natural antioxidant defence system

Are free radicals entirely bad?

NO! Free radicals can play a role in the immune system, but the relationship between free radicals and immunity is complex. On one hand, free radicals can damage cells and impair the immune system's ability to fight off infections and diseases. On the other hand, the immune system uses free radicals to fight off invading microorganisms and destroy damaged cells.

In general, the immune system uses white blood cells called phagocytes to engulf and destroy invading microorganisms. The phagocytes produce free radicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, in order to kill the invading microorganisms. This process is known as the respiratory burst. Also, natural killer cells (NK cells) use reactive oxygen species (ROS) to destroy cancerous and infected cells.

However, excessive production of free radicals or an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants can lead to oxidative stress, which can damage the immune cells and impair their function. This can lead to chronic inflammation and an increased risk of infections, autoimmunity and cancer.

Conclusion

Maintaining a balance between free radicals and antioxidants is important for the immune system to function properly. Both free radicals and anti-oxidants are internally produced within our body and have their own important role to play in overall health and well-being. While it is true that we may be subjected to more amount of free radicals due to the toxic environment we live in (especially cities), overdoing antioxidant supplements and overwhelming our body with them will often do more harm than good.

Remember - Anything in excess is bad! Even Amrit (Elixir)!

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