According to research conducted by the Natural Marketing Institute, approximately 16% of the general population believes they are deficient in antioxidants. This stat demonstrates a growing awareness regarding the importance of antioxidants for general health. We have known for over a century that nutritionally depleted diets, exposure to pollutants and chemicals, and the stresses of modern living can all negatively impact human health. Today we recognize the mechanism that ties all these together and makes them such a serious health threat: They all generate “free radicals” in the body. What are free radicals and where do they come from? And this is where antioxidants come in. Antioxidants are needed to offset–or battle–the constant attack of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules which cause damage within cells and tissues, and contribute to oxidative stress. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants can help combat this degradation, however, modern diets are often woefully insufficient when it comes to supplying the vital nutrients needed for optimal health. Dietary supplements offer effective and convenient support for consumers looking to protect their health from a diverse assortment of health concerns, including oxidative stress by free radicals. Globally, the antioxidant market earned $2.92 billion in 2015, according to Allied Market Research, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% looking ahead to 2022, potentially earning $4.53 billion. “Alcohol, pollution, petrochemicals, pesticides, stress, unhealthy diets, excessive calories, sedentary lifestyle, use of drugs to temporarily minimize symptoms of chronic health ailments, etc., are all contributing factors in the generation of free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS),” explained Tryggvi Stefánsson, PhD, science manager for antioxidant manufacturer Algalif. “Several decades of dietary research findings suggest that consuming greater amounts of antioxidant-rich foods might help people to stay healthy,” noted Dr. Stefánsson. “Because of these results, there has been a lot of interest in antioxidant supplements. Dietary supplementation with antioxidants is receiving growing attention and is increasingly being adopted in western countries.” 10,000 attacks on each cell daily It is estimated that each cell in the body forms more than 20 trillion ROS per day through normal metabolism, and each cell in the body is believed to be attacked by these reactive molecules 10,000 times per day, damaging cellular structures, lipids, proteins, and genetic material (DNA), he added. Dietary intake of antioxidants can delay or impede cellular damage by scavenging free radicals. Antioxidant supplement support can be found in quality products like Optimal Fruit & Veggie Plus. - - - Sources: NutraceuticalsWorld.com, Natural Marketing Institute.
