Antioxidant vitamins prevent our body from disease, aging and most important, battle against free radicals present on out body. The radicals present in our body are harmful and damages our healthy in tern leads to early aging, wrinkles and other diseases. We must have read about antioxidants in our biology classes at school hardly concentrating on its facts and effects. Let us first look at some basic information about radicals and antioxidants.

During the process of oxidation, where oxygen molecules react with other molecule substances, an electron is left loose in the process of exchange causing them to become a free radical. This release of damaged molecules during oxidation is the reason for rusting of cars and for apples turning brown. These damaged molecules are produced in human bodies as well through breaking down of food.

The damaged and unbalanced free radicals seek stabilizing themselves by ‘stealing’ electron from other healthy molecules. Oxidation generates more damaged molecules with every breath our lungs in take, damaging considerable amount of healthy cells. When our immune system sends of white blood cells to fight the trespassers which damages the molecules more, it multiples in large numbers. These unhealthy cells, when exposed to toxic environment of smoke, fuel exhaust, harmful chemical, etc, lends a helping hand to the overwhelming amount of damaged molecules in out bodies.

Fortunately, our bodies also produce antioxidant vitamins which are best to protect us from the destructiveness of free radicals. These antioxidants in our body are supplied with vitamins A, C, E, and Beta-Carotene, the mineral selenium, and plant pigments such as lutein. These substances and others have the effect of stopping the chain reaction. Antioxidants station themselves between free radicals and the body’s healthy cells, stabilizing the whole process.

One antioxidant molecule can pursue only one free radical. As long as the body has adequate supply of antioxidants, it will immediately fight back the free radicals. However, if the supply is low, the body can be easily overloaded with these damaged molecules making it impossible for the antioxidant vitamins to find them off. This completely depends on how healthy is our diet and if the natural vitamin supplies are enough for the battle.

There are cases where particular vitamins, which are essential to control the production of damaged molecules, may not suit the body type. Allergies and other reactions are normal for some and this makes it necessary to in take the antioxidants vitamins in forms of capsules and tablets. These antioxidant supplements are another form of vitamin supplements which can be tremendous benefit to our body. Buy antioxidant vitamins only after consulting with doctors and experts as you need to know how your body reacts to the free radicals and other molecule substances.