How Antioxidants Support Healthy Aging*

Antioxidants are substances found in foods like fruits and vegetables that can delay or prevent some cellular damage.¹ Certain nutrients – like vitamins A, C and E – are known antioxidants, and phytochemicals like selenium and zinc, and some carotenoids, flavonoids and phenols also exert antioxidant-like properties. Foods have their own combination and quantity of antioxidants, which is one reason why “eating the rainbow” is sound nutritional advice.²

Read on to learn what antioxidants do — and how they might impact healthy aging.*

How Do Antioxidants Support Healthy Aging?*

Free radicals are highly reactive atoms that cause oxidative stress in the body.³ Antioxidants help counteract or offset that stress. (Think of free radicals like a natural “rusting” process in the body.) Free radicals form during normal metabolic processes and from environmental factors, and they can alter the structure of cells (including DNA and cell proteins). Antioxidants help those cells maintain balance.

Their benefits include:

1. Neutralizing free radicals.*

Think of free radicals as cells that act like you might after too much coffee or sugar – they just aren’t themselves and can cause damage. Antioxidants help neutralize those free radicals to maintain homeostasis.

2. Supporting normal cell growth.*

Apoptosis is the natural end of a cell's life cycle. Free radicals may expedite the cycle, but antioxidants can slow or stop it.⁴  

3. Promoting healthy cellular aging.*

Just about every process slows down in the body as you age, including cell regeneration. Some antioxidant-like compounds, including polyphenols, offer cells support amid age-related changes.^{5, 6}

Beyond a healthy diet, certain supplements can deliver antioxidants to support mind and body as you age.*

(PEA)+ provides support for physiological stress and discomfort associated with occasional stiffness and compromised tissue function from overexertion.*

STEM XCELL™ PRO promotes the health, proliferation and maintenance of stem cells.* This polyphenol-rich formula contains a patented blend that promotes general health, cognitive function and supports the body’s natural repair processes.*

TELOMERE PRO™ is a scientifically studied, botanically based formula (with astragalus root, broccoli seed extract, rhodiola extract and vitamin D3) that supports telomerase activation and healthy aging.

Sources:

1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Antioxidants: In depth. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth#science

2 Carlsen, Monica H et al. “The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide.” Nutrition journal vol. 9 3. 22 Jan. 2010, doi:10.1186/1475-2891-9-3

3 Lobo V, Patil A, Phatak A, Chandra N. Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(8):118-126. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.70902

4 Steven H. Zeisel, Antioxidants Suppress Apoptosis, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 134, Issue 11, November 2004, Pages 3179S–3180S, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/134.11.3179S

5 Obrenovich ME, Li Y, Parvathaneni K, et al. Antioxidants in health, disease and aging. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2011;10(2):192-207. doi:10.2174/187152711794480375

6 Pandey KB, Rizvi SI. Plant polyphenols as dietary antioxidants in human health and disease. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2009;2(5):270-278. doi:10.4161/oxim.2.5.9498