Q What is a free radical?
A Free radicals are highly unstable, reactive molecules, which cause damage to the body’s cells and contribute to the ageing process and chronic disease. Free radicals can be formed from environmental pollution, exhaust fumes, fried or barbecued food, radiation, toxins in foods and drinks from chemical processing and refining, smoke, pesticides, and from our own metabolism if we are ill or under stress.
Q What is an antioxidant and how do they protect against free radicals?
A Antioxidants are protector nutrients found in many plants and herbs and help to protect against free radical damage (oxidation). They combine with unstable reactive free radical molecules thus protecting cells against their damaging effects. This free radical – antioxidant complex is then metabolised by the liver and excreted.
Because every cell in the body is exposed thousands of times a day to the damaging effects of free radicals caused by cigarette smoke, air pollution and other toxins, it is essential to have a rich and constant supply of antioxidant nutrients to prevent disease and maintain good health, wellbeing, and longevity. A diet rich in antioxidants can slow cell destruction by neutralizing free radicals, protect against premature aging, benefit degenerative diseases, boost the health of the immune system, and increase resistance to infection.
Q What health problems occur with free radical attack?
A Long term free radical damage to cells causes a wide variety of health problems from deterioration of the immune system, to heart and artery deterioration, arthritis, cell abnormalities, poor vision, wrinkled and damaged skin, and chronic musculo-skeletal conditions.
Q How can I improve my diet and lifestyle to reduce free radicals?
A Antioxidant nutrients are mostly found in fruits and vegetables. From five to ten servings daily of these foods is recommended to keep major health problems such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis and heart disease at bay.
Q Can I take this supplement long term?
A This supplement can be taken long term, or for short periods when recovering from illness or to support the immune system over the winter period.
Caution: However, if also taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement, long term use of both of these supplements could result in overdosage of some nutrients. Short term use of agewise® Daily Antioxidant for a few months is recommended if a multivitamin and mineral supplement is being taken daily.
Q Why can’t I get all these nutrients from my diet?
A Antioxidants are available in high levels only in fresh foods. When foods, especially fruits and vegetables are kept for some time, losses of these vital nutrients occur. Busy lives, stress, long hours of work, processed foods, pollution, and medications all take their toll on the immune system which increases requirements for antioxidant nutrients.
Although a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables provides a varied source of important antioxidants, in certain situations a daily antioxidant supplement may still be needed to support the immune system. This is particularly important if you work with chemicals and pollutants, or have a family history of disease, or suffer from a degenerative health condition. agewise® Daily Antioxidant is a broad-spectrum formula formulated to provide a wide range and source of antioxidants to help maintain optimum health and wellbeing.