Finding out which vitamins have antioxidant properties

If when you hear the term "free radicals" you assume the reference is to a political party, you are obviously not yet counted amongst the growing numbers of people taking an interest in the struggle going on in our bodies between the free radicals and antioxidant elements.

The decay and aging of bodily tissue is hastened by a chemical process known as oxidation. The free radicals are destructive molecules that are present in the body and the environment around us and they cause us harm when they overwhelm our antioxidant defenses. It follows that by boosting our antioxidant vitamins intake bodily decay can be delayed.

Vitamins are recognized as a leading source of antioxidants but like all good things they need to be used discriminately since overdoses cause harm. They are found in common foods and also available in tablets sold over the counter at many pharmacies and specialist health food shops. Many people also now buy these vitamins and antioxidants online. Antioxidant vitamins in tablet or liquid form may be used to make up vitamin deficiency but appropriate medical guidance is strongly recommended.

Which Vitamins Have Antioxidant Properties?

Some of the antioxidant vitamins are familiar to us and their importance to our health is well understood. Perhaps vitamin C is the best known of all the antioxidant vitamins. Virtually everyone knows that it is found in citrus fruits and spinach as well as a number of other foods. Over the last seventy years its importance in strengthening our immune systems and fighting devastating diseases has become widely recognized.

Although not quite to the same extent as vitamin C, vitamin E is also now seen as occupying a high position when we draw up the list of which vitamins have antioxidant properties. Vitamin E helps protect cells against the attacks of the free radicals and it is also known for assisting the body control dangerous LDLs (more commonly known as bad cholesterol).

This vitamin is found in many foodstuffs with olives, avocado, almonds and green vegetables best known to the general public. Vitamin E is now widely recognized for its importance in maintaining a healthy immune system. Although cases of major vitamin E deficiency are uncommon with the exception of premature babies, the same cannot be said about marginal vitamin E deficiencies.

Vitamin K is another of the antioxidant vitamins and much less well known than those previously mentioned. It is significant for the blood clotting process and to bone health and it is therefore importance to athletes or others who regularly engage in strenuous activities that might result in injury.