How Do Antioxidants Work?

With department stores, doctors offices, and pharmacies FULL of all kinds of creams, lotions and potions for your skin, it's hard to know what to select. I always tell patients that if you enjoy a product, use it. BUT, if you want to do something to protect your skin for the long term from skin cancer and wrinkles, you must be on an antioxidant formulation. Ultraviolet radiation (UV light) from the SUN is known to cause skin damage and wrinkles as well as several forms of skin cancer. UV... more

The medical chemical explanation to the in vivo action of antioxidants is one of stopping free radical damage. In the chemical equations of converting proteins, carbohydrates, fats to tissues in their metabolism the UV light effects, environmental effects, genetic effects can cause disruption of these chemical processes. The antioxidants are stabilizers to these equations allowing their safe completion for cellular survival. Hope that helps. 

An antioxidant is nothing more than a reducing agent. Brushing up on your high school chemistry: a reducing agent is a rather generous fellow ( or using today's penchant for slang: guy!); he or she ( when we get to the molecular stage there is no difference) is willing to donate an electron. That is: there is an extra electron in its outer shell and the antioxidant is pleased  to give this electron up in the name of stability.    On the flip side of the... more