Anti- in front of a word means against. Anti-oxidant means against oxidation. Oxidation refers to a process where a molecule or atom looses an electron in the outer orbit and becomes either an unstable free radical, or if both electrons are gone, a more stable molecule. A free radical is an unbalanced element that looks to steal an electron to again become balanced. In every oxidation process, there is another molecule that gains the electron making it enter into a reduced state.
Simplify the story. Using Cars to illustrate. Cars are the oxidizing elements and become free radicals when a tire goes flat. The anti-oxidants are the repair trucks. The tires are the electrons that move from one element to another. While an element is missing an electron, it can damage cell parts when it steals an electron from another element Enough anti-oxidants need to be available to offer up an electron before any damage occurs to vital elements or tissues. A casade effect of electron transfers can rapidly develop in certain conditions similar to how a traffic chain reaction accident happens.
The aging theory is that free radicals are responsible for causing many diseases such as cancers, artery and heart disease, and even diabetes. Taking antioxidant vitamins A, E, C, beta carotene, and minerals selenium and zinc should prevent these diseases by neutralizing radicals before they can cause damage to tissues and DNA. (ref complete antioxidant science)
While this theory has merits, to fit reality it needs limits or balances that more accurately depict what is really happening. Antioxidants and free radicals both have beneficial roles to play. Harmony and balance are needed between antioxidant loads and radical generation. ref It's not one of those situations where more antioxidants are always better. Antioxidant research is now revealing this fact, but few nutritionists are even aware of it yet. And many vitamin formulas appear not to even acknowledge this concept either. This is such an important topic, you need to comprehend it fully, or at least to the limits of what little knowledge is available at the moment. ( ref - Why overeating and aging are destructive to anti-oxidant balance) More research is vitally needed.
If you have cancer, CHECK OUT CONCLUSION: Copied here to prevent getting axed, this conclusion about antioxidants and effects on cancer cells. You be the judge. "Nonetheless, the multitude of studies discussed here suggest that patients diagnosed with (or at risk for) cancers should avoid unnecessary supplementation of antioxidants in order ensure that enhanced antioxidant activity does not inadvertently facilitate tumor progression and metastasis."
THE SCIENCE
Vegetables and fruits contain elements called polyphenols that have value for health. 3 categories are most abundant and major players: 1. Flavonoids (elements that add color and flavors to fruits and vegetables), 2. stilbenes (i.e. resveratrol from wine and grapes), and 3. lignans (nuts, seeds, and whole grains).
The Bioflavonoids have many known benefits as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-allergenic properties. Foods in this category, with help from the other two, supply most of the building blocks for the body to make it's cellular antioxidant elements such as SOD and glutathione peroxidase. These two cellular enzymes along with antioxidant nutrients from foods do most of the antioxidant functions. An important bioflavonoid is anthocyanins found in grapes, milk thistle, bilberry, green tea, grapes, cabbage, and garlic.
Vitamins such as A, Beta carotene, C, E, and the minerals selenium and zinc also have antioxidant properties too. In fact it had been assumed that it was these nutrients in vegetables and fruits that were responsible for the protection against diseases. But research using the isolated forms of these vitamins has failed to consistently show the same benefits as the foods exhibited. One of the reasons for the poor isolated antioxidant vitamin rsearch results is most likely due to a lack of the value these 3 category elements provide. Plus a lack of understanding of the correct vitamin forms and complete family members may have influence as well. But it is the higher dosages of isolated vitamins and minerals that probably create the most compromises to health by working too well and hindering the positive functions performed by some free radicals before they are neutralized by these antioxidant actions. Macrophages are specialized white blood cells that participate in immune functions by engulfing disease causing bacteria. This engulfing action called phagocytosis is switched on by a free radical action.
Because food extracts rich in bioflavonoids also contain many other valuable nutrients as well as some vitamins and minerals, it may be wise to pick formulas that contain them rather than just isolated vitamins for your antioxidant needs. ref
THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. TYPICAL OF MANY EXCELLENT FORMULAS WHERE THE MIS-INFORMED PUBLIC REVEALS THEIR LACK OF SUPPLEMENT VALUE AWARENESS. An example of an excellent food antioxidant product label, try to find another one to match. NOW Super Antioxidant comes close. This should not be an everyday supplement. Think of it as a feather to occasionally tickle the immune system. Healthy food and exercise are the primary providers for antiodiants.
Here are examples of ingredients found in quality antioxidant formulas: Curcumin, Ginger, Lutein, Lycopene, Gamma Tocopherol, Milk Thistle, Olive Fruit Extract, Grape Seed Extract, and Vitamin C.
WRAP UP
Until science discovers the balance point between antioxidant loads and free radical generation, the precautionary principle should be exercised. Food extracts often exhibit greater controlled antioxidant activity over just vitamins since they also contain balancing phytonutrients. Check out again the reference for grape seed extract actions on breast cancer. ref Of course wise dietary choices and environmental toxin avoidance are the top priorities to lower radical generation.
This reference is a review of many antioxidant studies searching for a common thread, in this case death rates. The antioxidant groups revealed slightly higher rates. Unfortunately, the studies all used incomplete vitamin supplement forms of Beta Carotene and Vitamin E. Vitamin A is another story. Yes, it is past time for some common sense science supported guidance for proper antioxidant supplement usage. Working with nature instead of attempting to overpower or change it. Updating Theories! Balance! Precautionary!