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Antioxidants

September 25, 2008

Everyone is talking about antioxidants- there are even companies making chocolate and promoting it for its antioxidant effect. What does this really mean? And what are the free radicals they are supposedly fighting off?

When the body metabolizes food into energy, the body consumes oxygen and produces free radicals. Free radicals are cells that have a missing electron in their outer shell and try to take back or bind up an electron from other cells to stay chemically stable. The problem is that they steal these electrons back from important other components of the body, namely DNA, fats and proteins. The damage caused by free radicals can potentially lead to longterm health problems.

Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals, essentially neutralizing their electron charge imbalance and thus preventing damage to other cells. They also may help reduce the impact of chemicals and pollution on the body caused by chemicals and pollutants.

However, some antioxidants, known as Phytates or phytic acid can decrease mineral absorption by binding with iron, zinc, manganese and weakly to calcium. These phytates are found in nuts, seed and whole grains. This is a concern for many vegetarians, especially if they eat a lot of wheat bran.

However, for most children’s diets, the benefits of phytates outweigh the risks because they are shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and, like other antioxidants, help normalize cell development against free radicals.

The best way for your child to get antioxidants is to eat a varied diet. This should consist of fruits, a variety of vegetables, and some whole grains. Encouraging you child to have a varied diet insures he or she will consume all the necessary vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for healthy growth and development.

Posted by NatalieGeary | Filed Under Dr Geary 

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