Why Antioxidants Are Good For Your Health

Oxidative stress is a term that might sound complex, but its effects are pervasive in our bodies, affecting our health in significant ways. Essentially, oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Free radicals, like renegade molecules, lack an electron, causing them to roam the body seeking to stabilize themselves by stealing electrons from other molecules. This process damages cells, proteins, and DNA, leading to a cascade of negative effects.

What Causes Oxidative Stress?

What triggers oxidative stress? Well, it's a combination of factors. Poor diet, environmental pollutants, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, and intense exercise to the point of overexertion can all contribute. Essentially, any activity that increases the production of free radicals or reduces the effectiveness of antioxidants can tilt the balance towards oxidative stress.

But here's where antioxidants come into play. Antioxidants are molecules that can donate an electron to stabilize free radicals without becoming destabilized themselves. They act as scavengers, neutralizing free radicals and preventing them from causing further damage.

What Foods Are High In Antioxidants?

So, where do we find these antioxidant heroes? Well, they're abundant in certain foods, especially fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc are just a few examples of antioxidants found in various foods. By consuming a diverse array of antioxidant-rich foods, we can provide our bodies with the tools they need to combat oxidative stress.

Antioxidant Supplementation

While a myriad of different  fruits and vegetables are incredible sources of high antioxidant foods that should be a staple of everyone's diet, supplementation is another avenue to ensure adequate antioxidant intake. This is especially true for those who lead an active lifestyle and are exposed to high levels of oxidative stress. That's why PhytoActivMax active greens powder is loaded with antioxidant rich ingredients! From Green Balance® delivering the equivalent of a serving of vegetables, to PhytoServ® supplying the phytonutrient equivalent of a serving of fruits, to the powerful marine superfood Spirulina, a blue-green algae shown to have exceptionally high amounts of antioxidants. PhytoActivMax ensures you are well equipped to tackle free radicals and the deleterious oxidative stress the present to the body.

The bottom line is, incorporating antioxidants into our diet is crucial for maintaining optimal health and protecting against the damaging effects of oxidative stress. By understanding the role antioxidants play in our bodies and making informed choices about our diet and lifestyle, we can better equip ourselves to combat the silent but significant threat of oxidative stress.