Antioxidants can be gained either from changes in diet or from taking supplements. In general a healthy diet is better but if that is not possible, supplements will help. The best antioxidants are vitamins A, E, and C, B6, and B12 with selenium and bio-flavonoids also offering benefit. (There are also a number of antioxidant herbs.)

Natural Sources

Researchers do believe that the best antioxidant supplements are actually natural foods in the form of natural fruits and vegetables consumed in good variety. Below is a list of the key vitamins and minerals and the items rich in those substances.

Vitamin A

carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches, and apricots.

Vitamin E

wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil, and fish-liver oil.

Vitamin C

citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, blueberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes.

B Vitamins

turnips, mustard greens, spinach, broccoli, parsley, beets, romaine lettuce, asparagus, lentils, bell peppers, calf’s liver, and snapper.

Selenium

fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, sunflower seeds, chicken, garlic, and brazil nuts.

Bio-flavonoids

pomegranate, blueberries, blackberries, green tea, and some coffees. (High temperatures in the coffee roasting process often removes the bio-flavonoids.)

Herbs

artichoke, bilberry, ginkgo, ginger, grape seed extract, milk thistle, green tea, hawthorne, olive leaf, rosemary, St. John’s Wort, turmeric

Artificial Sources

Some of the artificial sources are the supplements available as anti aging antioxidants are as follows.

SUPPLEMENTS

While all of the vitamins and other substances listed above can be obtained in pill form as supplements, exercise caution. Selenium, for instance, can be toxic if taken in excessive doses. Always make sure that no supplement you are taking will interact with your prescription medication in an adverse way. Research any supplement you are interested in using for side effects and correct dosage and find a good quality health food store with a nutritional consultant on staff. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States does not regulate the production of supplements but good quality products are available.

In addition to the items listed, you might also want to investigate melatonin, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Acetyl-L Carnitine. Melatonin is a hormone most often used as a sleep aid but because it crosses the blood/brain barrier it helps to protect the nervous system and is thought to enhance immunity. Alpha Lipoic Acid is believed to protect the brain from the effects of free radicals and to enhance the body’s production of energy. Acetyl-L Carnitine offers similar protection to the brain and is also used to improve heart and neurological diseases, muscle wasting, and low energy levels.

The key to taking any anti-aging antioxidant is to understand the purported benefits of the item and to take it appropriately and in the correct dosage. Eating a diet rich in antioxidant foods is the best way to improve the action of these agents in your system so that the answer to “What is the best antioxidant supplement?” may be, “The fruits and vegetables on your plate.”