What are Super Antioxidants?

Super antioxidants are blends of naturally occurring substances that distill a lot of antioxidant power into dietary supplements or similar products. The actual elements that scientists referred to as super antioxidants are often based on Oligomeric Procyanthocyanidins (OPC), which researchers have found can be even more effective in battling free radicals than regular antioxidants. Free radicals are harmful elements that can wear down the natural processes of the body over time. Antioxidants help heal the body by fighting off the affects of free radicals.

Some OPCs and other super antioxidants can be up to 50 times as effective as the antioxidant value in regular vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, according to some health researchers. OPCs are also often used to treat vascular diseases, because they help support the health of blood vessels. Other similar elements are often called proanthocyanidins, procyanidins, or proanthocyanidolic oligomers (PCO).

Though there is continued debate about some of the health benefits of super antioxidants, some believe that they do provide for better health in conjunction with an antioxidant rich diet. Individuals can get regular antioxidants from a wide range of foods, especially from green leafy vegetables or unprocessed fruits. Grapes and grape seeds are just one of the natural food choices that are rich in antioxidants.

Vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene all contain antioxidant value. Looking at dietary charts can help individuals find foods rich in antioxidants for rejuvenating the body and creating a healthier future. Super antioxidant supplements can add even more power for using antioxidants against chronic diseases or other conditions.

In addition to looking at OPCs, scientists have zeroed in on particular types of super antioxidant elements, the most potent of which are called Epigallocatechin Gallates (EGCG). Nutritionists and other health researchers continue to look at ways that these kinds of elements can help with various issues like high blood pressure, HIV, cancer, and many other serious conditions. Super antioxidant supplements can also help with lesser medical issues.

Scientists have also created an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value to measure the potency of antioxidants in foods and other elements like dietary supplements. The National Institute on Aging in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a government agency, helps to create this kind of measurement system for monitoring the use of antioxidants. Scientists believe that foods with a high ORAC value can help prevent some of the natural degenerative effects of aging.