| Those of us who fail to remember everything from | | | | ailments, and immune deficiencies. They can also help |
| high school biology may forget the exact definition of | | | | people fight off and heal from viruses and infections. |
| an antioxidant; it turns out the definition is buried | | | | Recent research, however, has given the antioxidant |
| somewhere in our sophomore locker. But, even if we | | | | something else to brag about. A new study has |
| don't remember exactly what an antioxidant is, we | | | | indicated that slowing down oxidation also slows |
| do remember one thing: antioxidants are good for | | | | down the aging process. |
| our well being. | | | | As a person ages, they are not able to recover as |
| Wine, vegetables, tea, fruit, coffee, even certain | | | | quickly from the oxidation process that may take |
| types of water are all rich in antioxidants. We eat | | | | place. This results not only in "looking older," but it |
| them, we drink them, if we could, we might even | | | | also causes a loss of brain function, and sometimes |
| date them, all in an attempt to live a life filled with | | | | an onset of dementia. Antioxidants, swooping in, may |
| health. While this "maintaining health" is perhaps the | | | | take growing old down a few notches. |
| number one feature on an antioxidant's resume, | | | | A study, published in the Archives of Internal |
| recent research has now discovered that they have | | | | Medicine, focused on 5,956 men over the age of 65 |
| the ability to do one more special task: antioxidants | | | | who had been consuming 50 milligrams supplements |
| may help us stay young. | | | | of beta-carotene (high in antioxidants) every other |
| Antioxidants, if we are all to get out our pocket | | | | day for an average of 18 years. The research |
| protectors for just a brief moment, are molecules | | | | showed that the consumption of beta-carotene |
| that possess the ability to prevent, or at least slow | | | | markedly slowed down age-related changes and |
| down, the oxidation of other molecules. | | | | decreased the loss of cognitive function. The men |
| Though a certain amount of oxidation is needed for | | | | who took the supplements, instead of a placebo, had |
| survival, excessive oxidation can damage cells. This | | | | sharper memory skills and noticeably better |
| excessive oxidation takes place when a molecule has | | | | reasoning, judgment and perception. |
| an uneven amount of electrons. An uneven amount | | | | This research helped solidify the "antioxidants age |
| leads to instability and causes the molecule to seek | | | | slowing" hypothesis upon which scientists had |
| stability by stealing an electron from a neighboring | | | | speculated for quite some time. |
| molecule. Through this process, free radicals develop | | | | We can often stop sickness and stop disease, but |
| and a cascading, electron stealing effect begins until | | | | age has been one thing that we have been unable to |
| living cells are damaged. Antioxidants stop the cell | | | | stunt: time, it turns out, just doesn't want to stay |
| damaging process by intervening and providing the | | | | still. But, with this recent news, antioxidants may be |
| unstable molecule with the electron they need. | | | | the proverbial fountain of youth many of us seek. |
| Because of this intervention, antioxidants are credited | | | | They are our best chance at doing what so many of |
| with preventing cancer, neurological diseases, heart | | | | us hope: staying forever young. |