Antioxidants are substances that are capable of counteracting the damage caused by the physiological process of oxidation in animal tissue, which is a normal process. Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) as well as enzymes (proteins in your body that assist in chemical reactions). Oxidative stress occurs when the production of harmful molecules called free radicals is more than the antioxidants available. Free radicals are chemically active molecular fragments that have a charge due to too many or not enough electrons. Examples of a free radical include transition metals such as iron and copper, or nitric acid. Ozone is even a free radical. Free radicals containing oxygen, known as reactive oxygen species, are the most biologically significant free radicals. Examples of reactive oxygen species are things that are made from oxygen of oxygen such as hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen, and hypochlorous acid (sometimes these are not charged).
Free radicals, with too many or not enough electrons are unhappy. They want the perfect number of electrons...so, they search your body to steal or give away electrons. This stealing/giving away process can damage cells, proteins, and DNA. This is the same process that causes oils to become rancid, peeled apples to turn brown, and iron to rust.
It is impossible for us to avoid damage by free radicals. Free radicals arise from sources both inside and outside of our bodies. Oxidants that develop from processes within our bodies form as a result of normal aerobic respiration, metabolism, and inflammation. Exogenous free radicals form from environmental factors such as pollution, sunlight, strenuous exercise, X-rays, smoking and alcohol. Our antioxidant systems are not perfect, so as we age, cell parts damaged by oxidation accumulate.
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