Antioxidant Vitamin: Keeping It Simple and Healthy

Most people work hard to keep their body, mind and spirit healthy. Some do it with yoga, some with meditation, and some take vitamins to keep their bodies feeling and functioning well. If you are looking for a way to stave off colds, to have more stamina, or just to feel healthier, consider the antioxidant vitamin. It’s a simple way to get yourself on your feet and staying on your feet. Here is some background for the antioxidant vitamin, and why it may work for you:


The Basics

Antioxidants are chemicals that fight off the damaging effects of oxidation within the body. Free radical molecules that contain oxygen (which obviously enters the body from breathing, eating and simply moving) can form harmful strands of lipids, which attach themselves to the body cells and can cause cell mutation.


Types of Antioxidants

Antioxidants can be found in nutrient rich foods such as berries, leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and even tea and coffee. The antioxidant vitamin contained in these foods is mainly Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Beta-Carotene along with Lycopene. There are also other vitamins that are contained in these foods and for more information you can consult the Food and Drug Administration.


Effects of the Antioxidant Vitamin

The antioxidant vitamin is very important when it come to maintaining health. Vitamin C, which is found in foods such as oranges, helps boost the immune system. Vitamin E helps with memory and is found in green vegetables. Beta-Carotene aids vision, and can be found in carrots or turnips. Lycopene also can help with the immune system and is found in tomatoes.


Ways of Consumption

You can choose to have you antioxidant vitamin through consumption of antioxidant food, such as those mentioned above. Or, you can opt to take an actual antioxidant vitamin, which comes in the form of a capsule. These can be found in the nutrition aisle of your local grocery store, or at any supplement outlet. Most capsules only have to be taken once a day, and can be chewed or swallowed.

The antioxidant vitamin has very powerful effects on your body. It not only helps keep you from physically getting ill, but it gives you a peace of mind knowing that you are taking good care of your body. With a combination of exercise, eating foods rich in antioxidants, or simply taking an antioxidant vitamin with water every day, you are set to lead a very long, vigorous life.