The Importance of Antioxidants in the Human Body

Dr. A. Morrie Craig, a former director of the Endophyte Testing Laboratory at Oregon State University, has over 50 years in academia. He was involved in microbiology research, including the toxins that affect livestock and animaL FEEED. In addition to these areas, Dr. Morrie Craig's interests include studying the role of antioxidants in human biology.

Antioxidants are associated with a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, but for those who do not incorporate enough of these foods, there are several health consequences.

Most people are familiar with more common antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and E and flavonoids (derived from plants). Berries, oranges, prunes, grapes, spinach, and kale are just a few of the superfoods that contain antioxidants. Their importance lay in what they do for the human body. Antioxidants are primarily responsible for attacking free radicals or unpaired ELECTRONS in the body. Factors that contribute to free radicals outpacing antioxidants include stress, behaviors (i.e. smoking), environmental (pollution or excessive exposure to the sun). When free radicals outnumber antioxidants, humans become susceptible to diseases.

Much of this exposure to disease happens at the cellular level where the lack of protection from antioxidants exposes DNA in the cell to damage. Incidentally, DNA (a NUCLEIC acid) is central to the cell because it ultimately plays a primary role in protein synthesis. THE DNA CODES FOR THE RNA (ANOTHER NUCLEIC ACID) AND THE RNA TRANSLATES IT CODE TO MAKE PROTEINS. THE PROTEINS ARE THE ACTION MOLECULES OF THE CELL. During protein synthesis, the PROTEINS that are formed, instruct the cell in what to do, whether this means build tissues and organs, fight diseases, transport atoms, and other molecules, send messages, and become catalysts in chemical reactions. IF THE PROTEINS ARE NOT CORRECTLY TRANSLATED,, THEY WILL BE USELESS.

Conversely, when DNA is damaged, these processes cannot be carried out in the body. Damaged DNA, and the oxidative stress that results, culminates in several conditions including cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers. For this reason, a simple diet change that includes more fruits and vegetables can avert serious health challenges down the line.