- Antioxidants are "free radical scavengers" believed to counter the chain reaction of free radicals by donating electrons, thereby neutralizing, even reversing, the effects of these free radicals by converting them to harmless waste products.
1. In Your Diet.
- Beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E have been found to have antioxidant properties. To fight ongoing free radical damage, you should eat plenty of food rich in these vitamins.
- Beta-carotene: This antioxidant is a precursor to vitamin A.
Rich Sources: Liver, egg yolk, carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, yams, mango and papaya, - Vitamin C: Its primary action is in cellular fluid, and also helps convert vitamin E back to its active form.
Rich Sources: Fruits and vegetables like orange, guava, strawberries, papaya, red and green peppers, broccoli and cabbage. - Vitamin E: Also known as tocopherol, it primarily defends against lipid peroxidation.
Rich Sources: Concentrated in vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, peanut oil, corn oil, olive oil, sesame seed oil, soybean oil and also in almonds, wheat germ, nuts and seeds.
