Antioxidants are various chemical substances with the potential to heal or prevent cellular damage caused by molecules called free radicals. Some types of antioxidants occur naturally in your body, while others come from food or supplement sources. While current evidence at least partially supports the effectiveness of antioxidant compounds derived from food, the effectiveness of supplement sources has not been established, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM.
Basics
The NCCAM lists examples of antioxidant substances that include coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, beta-carotene, vitamins E and C, flavonoids, anthocyanins, lycopene and lutein. Common food sources of these substances include oats; nuts, such as walnuts and pecans; legumes; fruits, such as apples and cherries; berries, such as blackberries and raspberries; vegetables, such as artichokes and sweet potatoes; green tea; and dark chocolate. You may also purchase antioxidant supplements made from synthetic sources or extracted from food sources.
Oxidation and Free Radicals
Antioxidants may counter the harmful effects of a natural process called oxidation, according to the NCCAM. This process occurs as a natural part of cellular metabolism, in addition to occurring when your body uses or stores food nutrients and when you receive exposure to environmental irritants such as radiation and tobacco smoke. Oxidation triggers the formation of unstable free radicals, which scientists believe contribute to the development of a wide array of serious ailments, including heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. By reducing free radical activity, antioxidants may help heal or prevent these ailments, states the NCCAM.
Cancer
Eating a diet rich in antioxidant-containing fruits and vegetables may help prevent cancer formation or lower your cancer risks, according to the American Cancer Society. If you have survived a bout with cancer, the ACS recommends such a diet to help prevent the possibility of cancer recurrence. However, if you are undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy, your doctor may recommend that you avoid antioxidants from supplement sources, since higher doses of these substances may reinvigorate dying cancer cells.
Varying Benefits
Antioxidants derived from food may provide superior health benefits when compared to supplement sources, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is due in part to the sheer numbers of different antioxidant substances contained in various foods. Doctors simply do not know which specific antioxidants may help protect your body in any given circumstance, and eating the wide array of substances in food sources may give you a better chance of reducing harmful oxidation. In addition, foods with high amounts of antioxidants tend to be high in protein and fiber and low in potentially harmful substances such as cholesterol and saturated fat.
Considerations
Use of antioxidants from food or supplement sources may not provide you with any actual treatment benefits, the NCCAM reports. Although individuals who get antioxidants from food sources tend to have lower risks for chronic disease, researchers cannot specifically state that these benefits come from antioxidant use. Additionally, despite laboratory evidence, use of antioxidant supplements produces no clear benefits in human test subjects. When used at higher doses, supplements such as beta-carotene may actively harm your health, so consult with your physician before taking.
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