Antioxidants may have benefits for heart health, the immune system, and more. At a cellular level, antioxidants may:

• Promote healthy cell regrowth cycles.
• Maintain cellular health.
• Promote apoptosis, or scheduled cell death, of unhealthy cells.

Antioxidants may be found in foods associated with a healthy diet: fruits and vegetables, green tea, and even red wine (in moderation, of course!). Several Isotonix® products contain certain ingredients that have antioxidant properties, such as vitamin C. But what does that mean? Even more importantly, what do antioxidants do?

 

Then there are free radicals. The term may sound vague, but free radicals are found almost everywhere, and can cause oxidative stress in your body. Oxidative stress is what happens when your body produces more free radicals than it can counteract. Counteracting free radicals promotes cellular health, and may potentially offset some of the negative effects of free radicals on your body. In this guide, we’ll explore what free radicals are, how antioxidants interact with them, and how to find the best antioxidant supplements.

We could get technical and talk about unpaired electrons and chemical reactions, but the most important thing to know about free radicals is this: a free radical, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, is an unstable atom or group of atoms that tries to stabilize itself by latching onto a healthy atom. This creates a domino effect, as the healthy atom becomes unstable, and in turn, latches on to the next healthy atom.

The result is a chain reaction of atoms turning one another into free radicals. Our cells are made of atoms, so when we’re exposed to free radicals, it affects us on a cellular level.

Normally, our bodies can counteract this chain reaction, helping more atoms to stay in a stable state and thus promoting cell integrity. However, if too many free radicals are being produced, or we have a deficiency of antioxidants, the body may not be able to provide the necessary protection.

As we mentioned, free radicals form when the atoms of our cells become unstable. This occurs when an atom loses an electron in its outermost shell and begins scavenging the body to steal electrons from other stable atoms.

We’re exposed to free radicals in different ways, including:

• Normal metabolic processes, such as converting sugar into energy or digesting food,
• Exercise, or
• Pollutants and harmful substances.

Stress, exercise, exposure to harmful substances like alcohol or cigarettes--these all contribute to free radical formation. Excessive free radical activity in the body can impact cellular health, which may contribute to some issues like premature aging and other challenges.

 

We can’t avoid exposure to free radicals, but antioxidants may help combat them. Watch the video to the right to learn more about free radicals, and  to see how Isotonix OPC-3® provides antioxidant protection. Continue reading to explore the benefits of antioxidants.

Fruits are highly rich in numerous antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and flavonoids. Flavonoids are complex organic compounds found in almost all plants, and have long been thought to have powerful antioxidant properties. 

Bioflavonoids are a key ingredient to many Isotonix® products. Bioflavonoids, in particular, are chemicals that act as a light filter, protecting chains of DNA by absorbing ultraviolet radiation. As antioxidants, they have been shown to support cardiovascular health and cell vitality. 

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids that form the basis of our bestselling OPC-3® supplement, which has extraordinary nutritional benefits and provides powerful antioxidant protection. 

Flavonoids can be extracted from a wide array of fruits and fruit products, including citrus, berries, and even red wine. Grape seed extract, and that of the skin, stalk, and vine, which comprise red wine extract, are high in OPCs. Citrus extracts also play vital roles in our OPC-3 formula. 

Various types of berries are known to contain high levels of polyphenols and anthocyanins. Our Maximum ORAC Formula contains 3,000 ORAC units per serving (one cap full). ORAC refers to Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity:  the method for measuring antioxidant capacities in different foods--or how many oxygen radicals a substance can absorb. 

The Maximum ORAC Formula is composed of a blend of fruits such as blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, plums, grapes, pomegranates, and more. We’ve blended the extracts of these fruits to create a solid antioxidant network, creating a supplement that delivers a range of antioxidants. 

Tree bark is another powerful source of antioxidants. The maritime pine tree, which only grows on the coast of Southwest France, contains high levels of the antioxidant Pycnogenol®**. Pycnogenol® is effective in combating free radicals, attaching to them to reduce the amount of oxidative stress on the body. Pycnogenol® promotes cardiovascular health, normal blood vessel dilation, and other incredible benefits. * 

Pycnogenol® is an important component of OPC-3® and our Peak Performance Blend. Extract from white willow bark, which contains flavonoids, can be found in Bromelain Plus. Our Bromelain Plus supplement is great for supporting cell health, your immune system, and your body’s normal inflammatory response. *