| We need oxygen to breathe as without it we would | | | | these left circulating in our bodies is bad for our |
| die. Are body cells also depend on oxygen as does all | | | | health. |
| animal and plant life that lives on the planet earth. | | | | The good news is that we have a weapon that can |
| Oxygen is key to the reproduction and health of our | | | | combat these free radicals. This weapon is |
| cells. It also plays a very important role in turning the | | | | antioxidants which are made up of a group of |
| food we eat into the energy that is needed for our | | | | essential vitamins that include vitamin A vitamin C and |
| body and organs to function. | | | | vitamin E. Also, included in this group is the vitamin |
| Ironically as oxygen is essential to giving us life it has | | | | bet-carotene. These make up the main core of |
| a dangerous side affect. It is highly chemically | | | | vitamins that are categorised as antioxidants. |
| reactive and this oxidisation can cause damage to our | | | | However, antioxidants also contain a host of other |
| bodies. This oxidisation affect can damage or cells at | | | | free radical neutralizers that include bioflavonoids and |
| a cellular level. This can cause a number of dangerous | | | | cyanidins that are contained naturally in the food we |
| processes and reactions. It can trigger the onset of | | | | eat. |
| serious diseases such as cancer, internal organ | | | | Antioxidants are essential to strengthening our |
| damage, and cell damage that results in humans | | | | immune system. Our immune system protects us |
| becoming older. | | | | from infections, diseases and viruses. We are all |
| This oxidisation process causes a by product called | | | | exposed to free radicals and the amount of |
| free oxidising radicals. These are more commonly | | | | antioxidants in your body to combat their destructive |
| known as free radicals. Free radicals are actually a by | | | | nature can determine whether you eventually get a |
| product that is caused by all combustion processes. | | | | life threatening disease. Therefore, it is important that |
| For example, when a car engine burns fuel to power | | | | you top up on your levels of antioxidants. You can |
| the car a by product of the combustion process is | | | | achieve this with minor changes to your diet. Start by |
| petrol fumes. When our body turns the food we eat | | | | eating more fresh organic fruit and vegetables as |
| into the energy we need to function the by product | | | | they contain the essential antioxidants to combat the |
| or left over waste are these free radicals. As pointed | | | | free radicals. |
| out before these free radicals are toxic and having | | | | |