Anti-Oxidants
NEWS FROM THE VALLEY CORNFIELD PHARMACENTRE
Anti-oxidants are substances that may reduce the risk of developing cancer and heart disease. The anti-oxidants most commonly used include beta carotene, vitamins C and E and selenium. Anti-oxidants help control and prevent free radicals (a radical is a compound or element with an unpaired electron. They are highly reactive, unstable by-products which have the potential to cause damage to cell structures). The human body has defences to remove radicals generated by biochemical processes in the body, but when radicals are formed in excess of the ability of anti-oxidants to remove them, a condition of "oxidative stress" develops and cell damage follows. Beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium are important because they neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals and other reactive chemical entities produced by the body.
In addition to a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle (exercise, no smoking, moderate alcohol intake, avoiding saturated fats) will minimize the risk of developing heart disease and cancer.
Quick Tip
In healthy adults, vitamin C is eliminated from the body within a 12 hour period. If you take large doses of vitamin C (>500 mg), it is best to take half the dose in the morning and half in the evening or choose a slow-release formulation.
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