All living things are biologic machines utilizing food and oxygen to carry out the processes of life. Complex chemical reactions convert food to energy and food provides all the essentials needed to sustain life. This process is called metabolism. Metabolism results in a byproduct called free radicals (oxidants).

Our diet and the environment exposes us to another source of free radicals. The harmful health effects of smoking are related to the high levels of free radicals in smoke. Even second hand smoke is dangerous. We are also exposed to free radicals from; pesticides, radiation, air pollution, fried, charred meats, alcohol, cleaning fluids, paints, and furniture polish to name a few.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that have an active role in producing energy and killing bacterial invaders. In excess, however, they combine with cell membranes and cell contents causing irreversible damage.

A geneticist at University of California at Berkley estimates that about a trillion oxygen molecules go through each and every cell in the body every day. In the process of normal metabolism about 100,000 free radicals are formed over and above those needed to participate in chemical reactions.

Chemical compounds called antioxidants are produced by the body and they neutralize over 99% these excess free radicals. The few remaining react with normal components of the cell. It may be that by age fifty almost thirty percent of cellular protein and fat has been damaged by free radical action.

Age spots which begin to occur in mid-life under the skin are accumulations of lipofuscin which is the end product of free radical damage.

Vitamins and minerals and other plant chemicals which we consume in our food have been shown to have antioxidant action also. They can help to neutralize free radicals. It is important to maximize the dietary intake of antioxidants because in addition to aging, free radical damage has been linked to vascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, cataracts, osteoarthritis and immune deficiency.

- What Are Vitamins & Minerals