Recently, I was speaking to a friend. He is one of those fellows who doesn’t really “believe” in natural health. We got on the subject of antioxidants and he said something like, “what do antioxidants really do anyway, why do I need to know that!”

That seemed like such a simple question but as I attempted to form a nice, concise, argument-winning answer, I realized… I didn’t have a simple answer!

So, after a terribly lame explanation of antioxidants flopped out of my mouth, I retreated, tail between my legs, for a bit of thoughtful contemplation.

Now, I am ready to answer the question…

Antioxidants: The Four Levels of Defense

Defense One: Anti-oxidants prevent oxidants (otherwise known as free radicals) from forming inside your body. To understand this, consider what happens to a lead pipe when exposed to oxygen-it rusts, right? Well, similarly, the body, when exposed to oxidation, essentially “rusts” from the inside out. Ouch!

Defense Two: Antioxidants intercept and neutralize oxidants that have already formed inside the body, putting the brakes on the chain reaction that just one free radical can cause. A good analogy here is the game nobody plays anymore–dominos. (Isn’t it is ironic that when you say dominos most people think of pizza?!) Like a string of carefully lined-up dominos, once the first one falls, the rest are inevitably next. Likewise, antioxidants neutralize the line-up of free radicals and breaks the chain reaction so inflammation is halted.

Defense Three: Antioxidant are actually able to identify and address the remnants of an inflammatory response so those remnants don’t prolong the damage. Like a hurricane relief crew, antioxidants mop up behind the whirlwind of an immune system we all have, leaving only healthy, balanced cells and tissue.

Defense Four: Can you say Inspector General! As they travel throughout your system, antioxidants continue to check and recheck that toxins have been removed and oxidants have been neutralized. By keeping a sufficient amount of antioxidants you are providing a 2nd and even a 3rd line of defense to your cells.

So, there you have it! That is what antioxidants do!

Now, I could impress you with lots of scientific data, medical journals, pictures of molecules and the like but I think I’ll save that for annoying my friend, the proud oxidant lover. Perhaps he will see the error of his ways and trade the super-sized big mac for some sushi.