Antioxidants: A Foundation Nutrient Class for Good Health

Magazine publications from prominent doctors to fitness experts tell us that we need to consume more foods rich in antioxidants. Artfully colored supplement bottles line grocery store shelves publicizing their product loaded with antioxidants. But, what really is an antioxidant? To put it simply, antioxidants are molecular structures that battle against damaging free radicals that are created in the normal process of oxidation.

The Oxidation Process

Oxidation occurs from the activity of respiration, metabolism and other bodily functions. The actual process of oxidation is when molecules lose electrons from reacting with other elements or molecules, and become what is known as free radicals. These might damage your cells, vital proteins and DNA, which if left unchecked could cause serious damage.

Although free radicals are a result of normal and necessary bodily functions, outside factors can also instigate the production of these electron scavengers. Such factors as pollution, toxic chemicals in water and food, second and first-hand smoke, bacteria, viruses and radiation can all contribute to a flood-gate of free radical production.

There is growing recognition among scientists about the link between free radical production and disease. In medical circles, it is thought that the overproduction of free radicals can result in numerous diseases, and our body's natural ability to quench free radicals declines naturally as we age — leaving us more vulnerable to their activity, and perhaps more in need of dietary supplements of antioxidants.

The Importance of Antioxidants

Although it would be easy to plague free radicals as the bad guys, they are, after all, the result of normal body processes fundamental to life. Since free radicals are here to stay, it is therefore imperative that our amount of antioxidants be continuously in good supply. Once antioxidants come into contact with free radicals, they give up their electrons and become oxidized themselves (but do not in turn become free-radicals) and are thus no longer useful to the body. So, as antioxidants get used up, new ones must take their place.

Nutritional intake of certain foods and spices are the other important source of fighting free-radical damage. Recent science literature now indicates that certain essential oils such as cinnamon leaf and clove bud are also a good source of antioxidants.

Method for Measuring Antioxidant Levels

The amount of antioxidants that each food contains is typically measured by the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale with units expressed as "uTE" per 100 grams. For instance, berries have a rating of 6552 uTE per 100 grams. Essential oils used in aromatherapy have been tested up to a value of 1,078,700, with clove bud oil being at the top of the list. Essential oils have a vast range of absorbance capacity — one of the most important uses is directly in beauty care products, where they impart their free-radical scavenging properties directly in our skin.

Of course a consuming a gram of blueberries is not same as consuming a gram of clove oil. It is nonetheless worth noting that essential oils are a high powered source of antioxidants. One must note however that the ORAC scale is a laboratory measurement, not an indicator of assimilation in the human body; it is more of a guide. Also, each food, spice as well as essential oil has unique antioxidant properties; there is no one silver bullet antioxidant.

It is indisputable that antioxidants are essential for life to exist. The consumption of foods rich in antioxidants is a good practice for anyone to follow. Adding a few drops of essential oils to one's diet can also be of tremendous benefit. Antioxidants, whether as a food or as an essential oil, are gifts from nature to be praised.

More information on essential oils and aromatherapy carrier oils is available at the Ananda Apothecary.