Free radicals are extremely reactive molecules. They’re a pure byproduct of metabolism, however the physique additionally produces them in response to dietary deficiencies in addition to ­publicity to ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, sure drugs, and toxins. There are ­at all times free radicals circulating in our our bodies, however an extra of them can result in mobile injury, continual illnesses, and accelerated growing older.

Antioxidants neutralize dangerous free radicals. Some, similar to nutritional vitamins C and E, come solely from dietary sources. Others, similar to glutathione, are principally produced within the physique (the superhero antioxidant, glutathione, battles toxicity, continual illness, and untimely growing older. Discover out what makes it so highly effective at “8 Methods to Enhance Glutathione.”)

Melatonin is an antioxidant that’s each produced within the physique and ­derived from dietary sources — although we make greater than we will get from meals.

“Melatonin is a direct scavenger. It gobbles up free radicals like Pac-Man.”

“Melatonin is a direct scavenger. It gobbles up free radicals like Pac-Man,” says Russel Reiter, PhD, one of many world’s main melatonin specialists. “Vitamin E and vitamin C are go-to antioxidants, however they don’t examine to melatonin.”

A number of elements make melatonin a potent antioxidant. First, not like nutritional vitamins C and E, it’s each water- and fat-soluble, so it may possibly transfer freely via all varieties of cells and tissues, providing safety all through the physique.

Second, as a result of melatonin is produced inside our ­mobile ­mitochondria, the place free radicals are created, it may possibly rapidly neutralize troublemakers ­earlier than they’ve an opportunity to do injury.

Lastly, melatonin and its meta­bolites can scavenge as much as 10 free radicals, whereas most antioxidants can vanquish just one.

Diet scientist Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, IFMCP, compares melatonin to a set of Russian nesting dolls. “When melatonin will get one free radical, it modifications into the subsequent doll down, which will get one other free radical, et cetera. Hastily, 10 dolls later, it’s cleaned up fairly quite a lot of dangerous issues within the physique.”

Free radicals are extremely reactive molecules. They’re a pure byproduct of metabolism, however the physique additionally produces them in response to dietary deficiencies in addition to ­publicity to ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, sure drugs, and toxins. There are ­at all times free radicals circulating in our our bodies, however an extra of them can result in mobile injury, continual illnesses, and accelerated growing older.

Antioxidants neutralize dangerous free radicals. Some, similar to nutritional vitamins C and E, come solely from dietary sources. Others, similar to glutathione, are principally produced within the physique (the superhero antioxidant, glutathione, battles toxicity, continual illness, and untimely growing older. Discover out what makes it so highly effective at “8 Methods to Enhance Glutathione.”)

Melatonin is an antioxidant that’s each produced within the physique and ­derived from dietary sources — although we make greater than we will get from meals.

“Melatonin is a direct scavenger. It gobbles up free radicals like Pac-Man.”

“Melatonin is a direct scavenger. It gobbles up free radicals like Pac-Man,” says Russel Reiter, PhD, one of many world’s main melatonin specialists. “Vitamin E and vitamin C are go-to antioxidants, however they don’t examine to melatonin.”

A number of elements make melatonin a potent antioxidant. First, not like nutritional vitamins C and E, it’s each water- and fat-soluble, so it may possibly transfer freely via all varieties of cells and tissues, providing safety all through the physique.

Second, as a result of melatonin is produced inside our ­mobile ­mitochondria, the place free radicals are created, it may possibly rapidly neutralize troublemakers ­earlier than they’ve an opportunity to do injury.

Lastly, melatonin and its meta­bolites can scavenge as much as 10 free radicals, whereas most antioxidants can vanquish just one.

Diet scientist Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, IFMCP, compares melatonin to a set of Russian nesting dolls. “When melatonin will get one free radical, it modifications into the subsequent doll down, which will get one other free radical, et cetera. Hastily, 10 dolls later, it’s cleaned up fairly quite a lot of dangerous issues within the physique.”