How do Antioxidants Work?

Antioxidants donate an electron to a free radical, neutralizing the unstable structure or converting the free radical to a harmless compound that may be safely removed from the body.  Antioxidants deactivate excess free radicals and stop the cellular and tissue damage they cause in the body.  They are naturally produced in our bodies, but their production slowly decreases with age.  The natural antioxidant systems can be overwhelmed by age, stress or injury, making supplemental antioxidants beneficial.