Why do we need antioxidants?

Why do we need antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food or when you’re exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation.

How do antioxidants work?

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by giving up some of their own electrons. In making this sacrifice, they act as a natural “off” switch for the free radicals. This helps break a chain reaction that can affect other molecules in the cell and other cells in the body.

Why are preterm infants particularly susceptible to o2 radicals?

Oxidative stress in preterm newborns. At birth, newborns undergo a strong increase in partial oxygen pressure; from 20 to 25 mmHg in utero to 100 mmHg in the extra uterine environment. This abrupt change leaves them highly susceptible to high OS levels and therefore increased oxidative damages.

What are two common antioxidants?

Examples of antioxidants include vitamins C and E, selenium, and carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Why are antioxidants added?

Hint: Antioxidants prevent oxidation. These are substances that can prevent or slow down the damage to cells caused by free radicals which are unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. They are added to fat and oil containing food to prevent their oxidation.

What are antioxidants in simple terms?

In simple terms, an antioxidant is a chemical compound that protects cells against the effects of free radicals (molecules produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to pollutants such as tobacco smoke or radiation).

Why does my newborn need oxygen?

Most newborn babies require extra oxygen to help them breathe while the infection clears. Premature babies may need a fatty substance called surfactant to help the air sacs to fill and stay open properly. Sometimes a newborn baby requires mechanical ventilation.

Why is too much oxygen bad for neonates?

Breathing too much oxygen can damage the lung. For babies who are born very prematurely, too much oxygen in the blood may also lead to problems in the brain and eye. Babies with certain heart conditions may also need lower levels of oxygen in the blood.

What are antioxidants kids definition?

An antioxidant is a molecule that can slow or stop the oxidation, or electron transfer, of other molecules. Antioxidants can be found in food. Antioxidants are molecules that relieve oxidative stress by preventing the formation and oxidation of free radicals.

What is colostrum care why is it beneficial to the infant?

Colostrum provides all the nutrients and fluid that your newborn needs in the early days, as well as many substances to protect your baby against infections. Its color and thickness are due to the fact that it is higher in these protective factors.

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