ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body against the effects of chemicals called free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable chemicals that damage cell DNA in the body, destroy cells andcorrode cell membranes. This is the major cause of ageing and degenarative diseases.There are numerous ways in which free radicals can enter the body. By breathing in polluted air and cigarette smoke, by producing its own through stress and through every metabolic reaction involving oxygen.

To help protect your body against the damage caused by free radicals ensure that you maintain consistently high enough levels of antioxidants in order to neutralise the free radicals. The best food sources of antioxidants are strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, plums, broccoli, nuts, grains and some meats, poultry and fish.

In order to keep your antioxidant level consistently high enough, you should eat about 5 to 9
portions of fruit and veg a day. It's important that you keep this up every day and that you get
enough variety rather than eating the same foods every day. For many people this is very
difficult to do as it is unpractical. Therefore, taking an atioxidant supplement is very appealing and a quick, easy and affordable way to protect yourself.