In Antioxidants Part I: What Are They? We established that free radicals are created inside our bodies and all around us by pollution, UV radiation, x-rays, stress, strenuous exercise, and smoking. Those free radicals can damage lipids, proteins, and DNA, which is one of the root causes of aging.

Every day, the DNA in a single cell is bombarded by thousands of free radical assaults. Fortunately, our cells have repair enzymes that fix most of this damage. As we get older, the delicate balance between damage and repair becomes disrupted. When cells with damaged DNA replicate, they create cells with imperfect structures and a compromised ability to function properly.

In addition to the damage free radicals cause to DNA, they can also hurt other basic cellular structures and components. When scientists talk about the effect of free radicals on cellular components, they say the structure has been “oxidized.” Hence, the term for free radical-preventing nutrients became “antioxidants.”

Antioxidants are a category of nutrients that have the ability to protect us by fighting cell-damaging free radicals. By defending our cells against free radicals, antioxidants can help slow the internal and external aging processes. There are hundreds of known antioxidants, many of which are derived from plants.

Just as health and nutrition experts recommend a high intake of antioxidants from a variety of fruits, vegetables, and nutritional supplements, skin care experts also recognize the benefits of topically applied antioxidants. Skin care products can offer antioxidant benefits directly to the skin by including antioxidant-rich vitamins and extracts in their formulations. Supplementing internally and topically with antioxidants results in higher overall antioxidant levels than by either delivery method alone.

Nu Skin recommends using these products to help boost antioxidant levels*.