Antioxidants-CMP

=Antioxidants= It is a molecule that is capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Antioxidants are reducing agents.
 * What is an Antioxidant?**
 * **Oxidation** is a chemical reaction which transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. During this reaction, "free radicals" can be produced, which start chain reactions that damage cells.
 * **Anti**oxidants are used to terminate these reactions by removing the free radical, and allow themselves to be oxidized as well.

One of the most important things in maintaining the life of the human body is the need for oxygen. On one hand, it keeps us alive, but on the other, it is a highly reactive molecule that damages living organisms (by producing reactive oxygen species). In order to keep from being destroyed, our bodies contain a complex system of antioxidant metabolites and enzymes that work together to prevent oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids. Antioxidants either prevent the reactive species from being formed by reactive oxygen, or they remove them before any damage can be done to the vital components of the cell.
 * What are Antioxidants for?**
 * What do Antioxidants do?**

The Antioxidant compound... //Vitamin C// (ascorbic acid) can be found in //fruits and vegetables//. //Vitamin E// (tocopherols) can be found in //vegetable oils//. //Polyphoenolic Antioxidants// (flavonoids) can be found in //tea, coffee, chocolate, and red wine//. //Carotenoids// (carotenes) can be found in //fruits and vegetables//.