What are antioxidant supplements?
Antioxidant supplements come in a whole number of different variations as there is just so much for an individual to choose from. Antioxidants themselves are special naturally occurring compounds that have been found to help to prevent unstable and harmful molecules known as free radicals, from harming and damaging our cells via oxidisation. This damage caused by free radicals is referred to as oxidative stress, and as antioxidants help to limit the damage caused, they have been proven to be extremely beneficial for a person’s health and well-being. There are a number of different antioxidants, and therefore there are a number of different types of antioxidant supplement. A few of the more common examples include:
- Selenium
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Lycopene
- Lutein
- And beta-carotene
What are the benefits of antioxidant supplements?
As mentioned, antioxidant supplements have been found to be extremely healthy for our body, benefitting us in a number of different ways. Here’s a look at a few of the more prominent benefits:
Helping to build lean muscle mass
Antioxidant supplements have been found to have an extremely positive effect on a person’s muscle mass, helping to promote the growth and repair of lean muscle tissue. Muscle tissue becomes damaged and broken down during a workout, and via oxidative stress in general. The antioxidants counteract and prevent the oxidative stress, encouraging protein synthesis and the production of new muscle tissue, as well as the growth and repair of existing lean muscle tissue. Vitamin C has been found to be especially beneficial.
Helps improve athletic performance
Oxidative stress can harm the cells within our muscles, as well as our bodies in general. We need our muscles to be at 100% when we engage in physical activities, and when they aren’t our muscles simply aren’t as efficient, and so our performance isn’t as efficient either. Antioxidant supplements help make the muscles more efficient and also help to promote healthy oxygen transportation and blood circulation within the body. All of this carries over into a more efficient athletic performance.
They promote weight loss
Another benefit of antioxidant supplements is the fact that they have been found to promote weight loss. They improve muscular health and athletic performance which means more calories burned, but on top of that, they also boost a person’s metabolic rate. Once their metabolisms have increased, more calories will be burned and more energy will be provided, which could make exercise and workouts even more efficient, helping to burn even further calories.
They promote general health and well-being
Arguably the main benefit of antioxidant supplements, is the fact that they promote general health and well-being, helping to protect against illness and disease. They strengthen the body’s immune system, and as they protect against free radicals, they can help to protect against and prevent numerous types of cancer. They strengthen the cardiovascular system, they improve digestive health, they boost immunity, they promote healthy brain function and vision, and much more on top of that.
A few of the best antioxidant supplements
Here’s a look at a few of the best antioxidant supplements currently available, and what it is that makes them so healthy and beneficial.
Vitamin C
This antioxidant supplement is incredibly beneficial for general health and well-being because it is extremely well documented that vitamin C helps to strengthen and improve the immune system. The stronger a person’s immune system, the healthier they will be.
Beta - Carotene
Beta – carotene is another potent antioxidant with a number of different health benefits. The most prominent benefit is the fact that it promotes healthy vision, making it ideal for people looking to keep their eyes healthy.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another beneficial antioxidant supplement as it strengthens the immune system, is fat soluble, helps to remove free radicals, helps to promote brain health, and it keeps the skin young and healthy looking and feeling.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps promote central nervous system health, it boosts immunity, it helps the body perform physiological functions, it slows the signs and symptoms associated with aging, and it too promotes healthy eyesight.
Who should take antioxidant supplements?
Simply put, pretty much everybody would be advised to take antioxidant supplements in one way or another, as they have so many different health benefits. Athletes and people looking to lose weight will benefit as they improve athletic performance and promote weight loss, people with poor immunity would benefit as they boost the immune system, and basically anybody looking to stay as healthy and hopefully as disease and illness free as possible, would also benefit from them.
How and when to take them?
Although there are many different kinds of antioxidant supplement out there, the general consensus appears to be that at least one pill or tablet should be consumed daily, with water, and a source of food. If possible, the food should include a healthy fat source to help with fat soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E.
Potential dangers and side effects
Although they are incredibly healthy and beneficial for our bodies, they should still be consumed as instructed. Never exceed the stated dosage, and be wary if you are using other supplements and/or medications. Exceeding the recommended dosage can harm certain organs, including the kidneys and the liver.
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