A free radical is an atomic structure with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell. These unpaired electrons tend to be highly reactive, resulting in chemical reactions such as oxidation.  Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable.  They scavenge the body to grab or donate electrons, causing damage to cells, proteins and DNA.  Free radicals are naturally occurring; however, air pollution, stress, smoking, heavy exercising and aging all contribute to the creation of harmful free radicals.  Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to the body, potentially leading to serious health problems.  Normally the body is able to protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if free radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur.

Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues.  Antioxidants work in two ways, chain breaking and prevention.  A chain-breaking antioxidant such as vitamins A, C and E, stabilize free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures.  A preventative antioxidant prevents the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals.

To see how an antioxidant works, here's a simple experiment you can do at home.

Cut an apple in half and dip one half into lemon juice (a source of vitamin C).  Leave the two halves exposed to the air for several hours.  You will see the half with the untreated cut surface turn brown (oxidation), while the other half remains white.

* The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements.

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