Antioxidant Testing: The First Step To Battling Free Radical Damage

It’s been an established fact for some time that antioxidants are essential to get rid of free radicals that bring a whole host of health problems. Too often however, not enough is said about how much antioxidants are needed to protect the body. Since most antioxidants come from fruit and vegetables it would seem that there is no harm in there being plenty of antioxidants in the body.

This is not true as some antioxidants, such as vitamin A for instance, can be harmful in large doses. Swallowing an antioxidant supplement at breakfast on the other hand may not be enough to protect you from free radicals. A simple thing like antioxidant testing easily helps you determine how much antioxidant you should be consuming.

Different Bodies, Different Needs

Just as not all diets or exercise regimes work for the same people, the same can be said for antioxidants. Different people, despite consuming the same amount of antioxidants, will have different levels of antioxidants in their bodies. Some of the factors that influence antioxidant levels in the body are metabolism, excretion, absorption and stress.

A very high metabolism or poor absorption of antioxidants for example, will mean less than sufficient levels of antioxidants in the body. High levels of stress will also cause the level of antioxidants in the body to remain low.

Simply eating fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants may not be enough for some individuals, although this is thought to be the best way to maintain antioxidants in the body, some people might need to take supplements. This is where antioxidant testing comes in handy. By carrying out antioxidant testing you will be able to customize your diet to suit the level of antioxidants your body needs.

The Benefits Of Testing

Antioxidant testing may seem like a trivial thing, it may even seem troublesome. However the benefits you stand to gain from including the right balance of antioxidants in your diet are immeasurable. The proper amount of antioxidants mean that you could be fending off cancer, diabetes and all the signs of ageing.

The best part about antioxidant testing is that is non-invasive. There is no need for a blood test; a simple urine sample is all that is needed to determine the level of antioxidants in your body. This test can be carried out at home with a home kit and the results will help ensure your good health. What more could you ask for?