There are many different places to find benefits of antioxidants! What are antioxidants? They are chemical compound or substance that inhibits oxidation. Antioxidants are the body’s friend. They help to seek out and destroy, damaging, free radicals that can wreck havoc on the body, inside and out!

Free radicals are produced by the body to aid in the metabolic processes, such as digestion and converting food into energy. They can be quite helpful in natural bodily functions but when too many are produced they become the body’s dangerous enemy. Dangerous free radicals are unstable molecules that steal electrons from stable molecules, in order to satisfy their need for repair. They cause oxidation in the blood, which can result in the onset of many diseases. Once the stable molecule is destabilized, it becomes a free radical itself. A vicious molecular chain reaction then ensues. Even just a single free radical can cause damage to millions of other molecules, preventing proper bodily functions.

Antioxidants block the oxidation process by neutralizing dangerous free radicals. They feed electrons to them and then become oxidized themselves. Our bodies produce an enzyme to neutralize free radicals but they need the help of antioxidants!

By supplementing our diets, the body can maintain a better and healthier dose of combative antioxidants!

Where do free radicals come from? They attack and assault the body’s cells from different sources: alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs, pollutants, sun bathing, ultraviolet rays, X-rays, gamma rays, radioactive material, exhaust fumes, industrial fumes, obesity, stress, harmful chemicals and food additives and even from pure oxygen. Our bodies are attacked from free radicals on a daily basis. They can seriously compromise the immune system, threatening our very vitality.

Scientific studies suggests that OPC, (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), is one of the most powerful, multifunctional, antioxidant known to man. Research describes it as vitamin P. It supports and protects vitamin C functions in the body, by allowing more vitamin C to reach the cells for nourishment. It’s known throughout Europe as the "youth nutrient" because of its ability to combat collagen damage. Grape seed and pine bark have high OPC content. It’s a non-toxic substance with many benefits including: strengthens capillaries and arteries, improves skin’s texture, helps maintain proper circulation, improve visual acuity, improve memory, reduce stress and improve joint flexibility.

BENEFITS OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND SKIN CARE:

Free radicals speed up the aging process with the breakdown of collagen and reduced oxygen levels found in cells. They are usually neutralized by vitamin c and e. However, when they overcome the antioxidants available, they may lead to wrinkling of skin, pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions. Vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene and selenium are common antioxidants. They assist skin repair, strengthen blood vessels, reverse discoloration, reduce wrinkles, protect from sun damage and more! Many of these nutrients can be found in commercial or homemade skin care products: lotions, creams, soaps and more.

Natural goats milk soap contains the benefits of vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K! They are nourishing for skin! They’re handcrafted with an abundant of natural soap making oils that are healthful for skin. Olive leaf oil, green tea, shea butter and avocado oil are excellent sources of antioxidants for making homemade soap, lotions, creams, scrubs and more!

Olive leaf oil is loaded with antioxidants: oleurpein, hydroxytyrosol, flavonoids and polyphemols. They protect the body from free radicals, boost the immune system, protect the cardiovascular system and lower the risk of cancer.

Another good source is green tea extract. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechine, which scavenge for free radicals that can damage DNA. It can reduce inflammation, protect from sun damage and help to slow the signs of skin aging, firm and balance skin tone.

Shea butter contains antioxidants benefits. It moisturizes, soothes and protects the skin. It helps to reduce scars, soothe minor burns, evens skin tone, relieve sunburns, fade stretch marks, restore elasticity to skin, reduce blemishes, provide acne relief, moisture dry itchy skin and more!

Avocado oil increases the skin’s collagen levels, reduces age spots, helps to heal scars, repairs sun damage, relieves eczema and psoriasis, and softens and regenerates skin.

There are homemade skin care products that contain the benefits of antioxidants! Homemade lotion, handcrafted with olive leaf oil, contains the benefits of vitamin E and is loaded with, powerful, antioxidants! It's soothing and moisturizing for dry itchy skin. Natural goat milk soaps contain antioxidants and are available in bar and liquid forms.

ANTIOXIDANT FOODS:

These foods contain the benefits of vitamin c, e, beta-carotene, zinc or selenium, which help to boost the immunity system.

Berries, broccoli, tomatoes, red grapes, garlic, spinach, tea, carrots, soy, whole grains, beans, eggplant, raisins, apples, plums, onions, mangoes, nuts, sweet potato, green and yellow peppers, squash, strawberries, pumpkin, prunes, seafood, tuna, beef, poultry and dairy products.

Eating a daily supplement of foods with antioxidants will help keep your immune system healthy and strong. You can feel better, inside and out, with the benefits of antioxidants!