Antioxidants are a big deal because they fight free radicals. Free radicals are electrons that have broken off from an atom. They break down cells over time. They’re pesky and have been linked to an array of health conditions ranging from hair loss to diabetes to cancer.
Antioxidants = GOOD.
Free radicals = BAD.
A good way to get antioxidants is to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin E in your diet. It may seem like vitamin E is just a singular nutrient, but it’s not. It’s really a group of fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant effects. It’s vital to vision, reproduction, and the health of your blood, brain and skin.
Vitamin E is beneficial is beneficial for a host of reasons. Not only does it fight free radicals, but it can also aid in:
- fighting inflammation
- an array of dermatological issues
- preventing skin cancer
- preventing or minimizing the appearance of scars, fine lines, and wrinkles
- prevent or relieve sunburn
Those benefits are small potatoes compared to possibly delaying the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and modestly improving symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Vitamin E is essential to your overall health. It’s proven itself and its benefits time and again. That being said, it’s important to be mindful of how much you’re consuming. The NIH reports that taking high doses of this vitamin in supplement form can cause serious side effects such as an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Daily recommended dosages shouldn’t exceed 1,000 international units (IUs). The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for ages 14 and up is 15 milligrams (mg).
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