{"id":153761,"date":"2026-08-31T16:13:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T14:13:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/uncategorized\/what-are-antioxidants\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T16:37:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T14:37:27","slug":"what-are-antioxidants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/food-supplements\/what-are-antioxidants\/","title":{"rendered":"Antioxidants"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;499385&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text border_color=&#8221;accent&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;105162&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1788183879834{border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}&#8221; border_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Antioxidants<\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;128264&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>Antioxidants are molecules capable of neutralising Free Radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) before they damage biological structures. They act by donating an electron to the free radical without becoming unstable themselves \u2014 or, alternatively, by interrupting the chain reactions that the Oxidative Process triggers on Cell Membranes, Proteins and DNA.<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_color=&#8221;color-jevc&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;174094&#8243; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d02d24;\">Why Antioxidants are relevant<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Every cell in the body is constantly exposed to Oxidative Stress: it is an unavoidable consequence of aerobic metabolism. The body has endogenous antioxidant defences \u2014 enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase \u2014 but these are not always sufficient when the oxidative load increases due to environmental, nutritional or physiological factors.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Exogenous Antioxidants, introduced through the Diet or through specific Supplements, act in a way that is complementary to the Endogenous systems: they broaden the body&#8217;s total Antioxidant Capacity and protect specific biological compartments \u2014 the Lipid Membranes, the Intracellular Aqueous Compartment, the Ocular Tissues, the Nervous System.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d02d24;\">Classification<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Antioxidants are classified according to various criteria. The most relevant for Nutraceutical formulation is <strong>Solubility<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Water-Soluble Antioxidants<\/strong> \u2014 act in the intracellular and plasma aqueous compartment. The main ones: Vitamin C, Glutathione, Uric Acid, Water-Soluble Polyphenols (Anthocyanins, Catechins).<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Fat-Soluble Antioxidants<\/strong> \u2014 concentrate in the lipid membranes and in adipose tissue. The main ones: Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), Beta-carotene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Coenzyme Q10, Astaxanthin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">An alternative classification distinguishes between:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Enzymatic Antioxidants<\/strong> \u2014 produced by the body: superoxide dismutase (requires Zinc, Copper, Manganese), Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase (requires Selenium). Their functioning depends on the availability of the Cofactor Micronutrients.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Non-Enzymatic Antioxidants<\/strong> \u2014 molecules that act directly by scavenging radicals: Vitamins, Polyphenols, Carotenoids, Glutathione, Coenzyme Q10.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d02d24;\">Main families of Nutraceutical Antioxidants<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Vitamin C<\/strong> (Ascorbic Acid) \u2014 Water-soluble antioxidant with an EFSA-approved claim for the protection of cells from Oxidative Stress. It is also a cofactor in the synthesis of Marine Collagen and regenerates oxidised vitamin E, creating a synergistic Antioxidant System.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Polyphenols<\/strong> \u2014 a broad family of Phytochemical Compounds (Flavonoids, Stilbenes, Phenolic Acids, Lignans) with marked Antioxidant properties. Their effectiveness depends on the specific chemical structure and on bioavailability, which varies considerably among the different molecules.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Carotenoids<\/strong> \u2014 Fat-Soluble Plant Pigments. Lutein and Zeaxanthin concentrate in the Macula of the Eye, protecting the retina from the Oxidative Stress induced by Blue Light. Beta-Carotene is a precursor of Vitamin A and a Lipid Antioxidant.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Glutathione<\/strong> \u2014 Endogenous Tripeptide and the main Intracellular Antioxidant. The Liposomal and Reduced supplement forms show the best oral bioavailability. A key role in Hepatic Detoxification.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Selenomethionine<\/strong> \u2014 the organic form of Selenium, an indispensable cofactor of Glutathione Peroxidase. It ensures the efficiency of the entire enzymatic antioxidant system.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Zinc<\/strong> \u2014 a cofactor of Superoxide Dismutase; it contributes to the protection of cells from Oxidative Stress (EFSA-approved claim).<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d02d24;\">Formulation Synergies<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Antioxidants do not act in isolation: they support and regenerate one another. Oxidised vitamin E is regenerated by Vitamin C; Glutathione keeps Vitamin C in its active reduced form; Coenzyme Q10 is regenerated by vitamin E itself. This network of relationships is the basis of the synergistic approach in the formulation of multi-component Antioxidant Supplements, which are more effective than single isolated molecules at equivalent doses.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Taking Antioxidants at high doses does not have proportionally greater effects compared with moderate doses, and in some physiological conditions \u2014 such as the phases of adaptation to high-intensity training \u2014 an excess of exogenous antioxidants could interfere with the mechanisms of the cellular adaptive response. It is advisable to assess the context of use with a professional before undertaking systematic high-dose antioxidant supplementation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"font-size: 17px;\">We always remind you that it is important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or treatment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Antioxidants are molecules that counteract free radicals and oxidative stress. Classification, mechanisms, dietary sources, and key ingredients in supplements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[164,165],"tags":[328,671,673,722,781],"class_list":["post-153761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-food-supplements","category-antioxidants","tag-polyphenols","tag-functional-supplements","tag-nutraceuticals","tag-antioxidants","tag-longevity"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153761","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153761"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153761\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":153763,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153761\/revisions\/153763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}