Antioxidant: one of the most popular buzz words of the natural health industry today. With 80 million baby-boomers now facing middle age, and the sale of these particular supplements exceeding 1.5 billion dollars, it's apparent that we are becoming more aware of the potential benefits of antioxidants. But does anyone really understand how an antioxidant possibly works against aging and degnerative diseases? What does the word antioxidant really mean?

The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine defines antioxidant as a compound that prevents free-radical, or oxidative, damage. Huh?

To begin to understand, let's review some basic chemistry. Recall that atoms and molecules are the basic building blocks of life. They consist of negatively charged electrons that zip around, or orbit, the central atomic nucleus (or nuclei). Electrons are like a stable couple -- they like to be paired together; you know, exist near each other in the same "household" so to speak.

If an atom or molecule happens to contain a single, unpaired electron, it is said to be unstable, or known as a "free radical" in the scientific world. Free radicals, like everyone else, want to become stable! To do so, they essentially seek out another electron to pair with its lonely, single electron.

One scenario that can happen is that a free radical may find another free radical. If their single electrons pair up, they may form a satisfying bond. However, a free radical might steal a vulnerable electron that is already paired. Why? Because as long as it finds another electron, it won't be a free radical anymore. It will become stable.

So, what happens if a free radical steals an electron from one of the atoms or molecules composing your cells? Here comes the phrase, "attack of free radicals." Often this causes a chain reaction of atoms stealing electrons from each other. This may result in deformed cellular components, such as cell membranes.

Chemically speaking, the loss of an electron is known as oxidation. Is the term antioxidant becoming clearer now? Simply put, antioxidants help to prevent oxidation! They help prevent the loss of electrons from the atoms or molecules that make up your cells, thus, saving your cells from becoming deformed. Antioxidants do this either by providing electrons that can be given up easily to the free radicals, or they might actually bond with the free radical and neutralize it. The end result is more protection for your body by these antioxidant bodyguards. When your body is better shielded against free radicals, you are less likely to develop degenerative diseases.

So, where do free radicals come from originally? Some are actually produced within the body as a result of metabolism. Others enter your body from the environment. Some free radicals, such as by-products of the sun's radiation, never enter your body but attack your skin.

As for including antioxidants in your diet, Vitamin C and E are quite popular. Naturally, Vitamin E is present in wheat germ, vegetable oils, and nuts. Carotenoids and flavonoids, the nutrients that give bright color and taste to fruits and vegetables are also a good source of antioxidants. Research has recently explored much higher-potency antioxidants, such as green tea, pine bark, tumeric and grape seed extracts. You can drink green tea, but pine bark might not be so tasty. That's when a supplement-form comes in handy, besides the fact that most of us fail to follow the "5 a day" rule. If you find yourself searching for any of the powerhouse antioxidants, experts in the natural health industry suggest you take supplements that are packaged in combination rather than singly.

Susan Foster is an EYI Ind. Bus. Assoc. and has a Master's Degree in Biology. For more information, please call her at 333-8541.