Antioxidants: The Tiny Warriors

It’s a War Zone Out There

The body is a battle field with wars being waged all the time. It’s no wonder that the human body barely makes it to a century when there is so much fighting going on inside. Humans have been searching for the elixir of life for thousands of years, and while there is no cure for old age, one answer to slowing the aging process resides within a cup of tea.

The Enemy

In this case, the enemy we are looking at is the free radical. There is so much hype over this pest which runs through our blood stream and infests our being, but do most of us really know what it is? A free radical is a molecule which isn’t quite stable. Oh, it’s not radioactive or anything, but still can cause a tremendous amount of damage. This unstable molecule is floating around your body, looking for pieces with which to complete itself. When it attaches to something, it ruins whatever structure it stole this building block from, making it weaker. Over time, this damage builds up, which results in multiple problems, as well as old age setting in early.

Here Comes the Cavalry

Like tiny warriors rushing in to save the day, antioxidants can counter free radicals effectively. What an antioxidant actually is is a vitamin which provides for the needs of the free radicals. Perhaps a better way to think of them is as helpless maidens being offered to the vile dragon. But they work, instead of the free radicals taking out their lust for completeness on your body, they will simply attach to an antioxidant instead. With this little army working vigorously inside your cells, you can slow the tide of oncoming years.

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are

You don’t even have to look hard to find these life savers. You can find them in abundance in raw fruits and vegetables, as well as teas. Basically, plant matter provides us with this free radical staunch. They include beta-carotene, licopene, and vitamins A, C, and E. Increasing the amounts of antioxidants in our bodies will help to reduce the damage done by free radicals, and thus allow us to live a more healthy, happy life.

With a little effort, antioxidants can save your life, and make it happier! Have fun living.