by Gretchen Hines

Created on: June 06, 2009   Last Updated: June 22, 2009

A free radial is a molecule with an unpaired electron which becomes unstable and reactive. Free radicals steal electrons from other stable molecules in order to stabilize themselves. This chain reaction occurring in the body can impair the immune system and lead to infections and various degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Free radical damage is thought by scientist to be the basis for the aging process as well.

While the body is metabolizing nutrients to create energy, free radicals are formed. It is important to understand that free radicals are not all bad. They benefit the body by destroying alien bacteria and help to fight off infection. The danger comes when excessive and uncontrolled amounts of free radials are present in the body. Exposure to radiation, including too much exposure to sun rays, exposure to toxic chemicals such as; air pollutants, industrial and household products, pesticides and herbicides in our food and contaminants in our water can overwhelm the body with free radicals.

Antioxidants are the natural compounds that help protect the body from harmful free radicals. Although many antioxidants can be obtained from food sources such as sprouted grains and fruits and vegetables, it is difficult to get enough of them from these sources to hold back the free radicals constantly being generated in our polluted environment. We can minimize free radical damage by taking supplements of key nutrients. A high intake of antioxidant nutrients is especially protective against cancer. The four major antioxidant nutrients are vitamin A (beta carotene), vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium. There are many antioxidant formulas for sale at your local health food store, but I have my doubts about the efficacy of dried, powdered nutrients.

The best solution for flooding the body with active antioxidants is to drink alkaline water. Alkaline water has been ionized which means it has tens of thousands of free electrons to bind with the unpaired electrons on free radicals making them stable and harmless. You can eat a not so perfect diet but still get your antioxidants by drinking alkaline water. Alkaline water not only normalizes free radicals it also helps the body rid itself of toxins. More and more people are turning to reliable counter top water ionizers for their source of active antioxidants.

A high quality water ionizer first removes contaminants from tap water through an activated charcoal filter. The filtered water is then passed through an electrolysis chamber where the water gains an excess amount of electrons making an unlimited supply of active, liquid antioxidants. I'll drink to that.

Learn more about this author, Gretchen Hines.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.