| Antioxidant supplements play a protective | | | | Polyphenol antioxidants |
| role for our general health including the | | | | |
| health of our hair. Antioxidants supplements | | | | This type of antioxidant is characterized by |
| are supposed to slow down the oxidation | | | | the presence of several phenol functions. It |
| reactions which are brought about by the free | | | | is found in a wide array of |
| radicals. The Free radicals are highly | | | | phytonutrient-bearing foods. Examples include |
| reactive unstable atoms generated in our body | | | | - most of the legumes; fruits like apples, |
| that can damage cells leading to a number of | | | | blackberries, cantaloupe, cherries, |
| diseases and ageing.According to the | | | | cranberries, grapes, pears, plums, |
| Free-radical theory of aging, these highly | | | | raspberries, and strawberries; vegetables |
| reactive oxygen species (ROS), damage the | | | | like broccoli, cabbage, celery, onion and |
| DNA, proteins and other cellular structures | | | | parsley. All the above are rich sources of |
| like the cell membranes and cell organelles. | | | | polyphenol antioxidants.Alternative sources |
| | | | of polyphenol antioxidant include red wine, |
| The reaction of free radicals within cells, | | | | chocolate, green tea, olive oil, bee pollen |
| and subsequent damage has been linked to a | | | | and several grains. |
| range of disorders and chronic diseases | | | | |
| including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, | | | | Antioxidant vitamins |
| alzheimer's and diabetes and inflammatory | | | | |
| conditions | | | | Some of the vitamins that are good sources of |
| | | | antioxidants,. the antioxidant vitamins |
| Antioxidants are able to slow down or block | | | | are--vitamins A, C and E. |
| these dangerous reactions in the body. They | | | | |
| do it either by reacting with intermediates | | | | Vitamin A |
| and halting the oxidation reaction directly. | | | | |
| They react with the free radicals and prevent | | | | The animal form of vitamin A is retinol. It |
| the oxidation reaction from occurring. | | | | is a yellow, fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin |
| | | | found in animal foods such as eggs, liver, |
| Antioxidants supplements can be taken as | | | | whole milk and fortified foods like |
| dietary supplements or taken as tablets and | | | | fat-reduced milk, cereals and breads. Vitamin |
| capsules. Studies suggest those dietary | | | | A, are the dark-colored pigments found in |
| antioxidants supplements provide a range of | | | | plant foods like fruits and vegetables |
| are benefits for our health. However, excess | | | | (especially dark green leafy ones) and |
| antioxidant supplementation may be | | | | include spinach, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet |
| counter-productive. | | | | potatoes and squash. |
| | | | |
| Diet carrying antioxidant supplements | | | | Vitamin C |
| | | | |
| A healthy and balanced diet containing | | | | Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant helpful in |
| antioxidant supplements plays a pivotal role | | | | maintaining healthy hair. Sources of this |
| in retaining your hair's health. Some of the | | | | vitamin are foods such as citrus fruits, |
| herbal nutrition supplements and some fruits | | | | kiwi, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, |
| which contain antioxidants serve as natural | | | | potatoes with their skins and dark green |
| medications for hair loss.Antioxidant food | | | | vegetables. The daily recommended dose for |
| supplements are found in various forms - | | | | vitamin C is 60 mg. |
| vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, legumes, | | | | |
| nuts, etc. The sources of antioxidants | | | | Vitamin E |
| include fruits (berries and peppers, apple | | | | |
| skins, cider, wine), vegetables (spinach, tea | | | | It increases scalp circulation which is |
| leaves), fungi (mushrooms), whole grain | | | | crucial for hair growth. You get vitamin E |
| cereals (hops, barley, millet and maize), | | | | from foods like wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw |
| nuts (pecans, pistachios, almonds), beans | | | | seeds ad nuts, dried beans and leafy green |
| (cacao including chocolate, coffee). | | | | vegetables. The daily recommended dose for |
| | | | vitamin E is up to 400 IU. |