Teenagers are supposed to be in the prime of their lives, healthy, fit and active. However, they are not generally concerned about what they eat or the vitamins and minerals that they may be lacking. Teens today need to be especially conscious about how their activities and their choices can produce excess free radicals in their bodies. Understanding the damaging effects of free radicals and how to combat them is key in improving teens’ mental and physical health.
The teen years are an especially important time in development, but they can also be a very stressful time. These are the years when bone is gaining mass, the brain is developing quickly, and hormonal systems are finding their balance. All of these things require proper nutrition and exercise to develop properly.
Free radicals form when cells are exposed to pollutants, food additives, stress, smoking, alcohol and even exercise. Free radicals that come from regular exercise actually help to strengthen the immune system, strengthening the immune system, and making it possible for the body to detoxify and clear out excess free radicals. However, changes in exercise programs, sudden increase in activity, and even only working out every few days puts teenagers at increased risk of damage from oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress occurs when something throws the body out of whack. It causes extra free radicals and peroxides to form in the blood, damaging all parts of every cell that it comes in contact with, including DNA. Teenagers that aren’t armed with the right vitamins and minerals can suffer serious damage internally. Oxidative stress in the teenage years can age organs very quickly, affect brain development, begin the onset of disease, and cause hormonal imbalances that make the teen years even harder to deal with.
Keep in mind what a delicate time the teenage years are. Neurological cells at this age are in an excited state, called long-term potentiation (LTP). LTP allows teenagers to excel in many areas by enhancing the ability of synapses to communicate with each other. However, this sensitivity also makes the brain more vulnerable to damage. Adult brains may recover from free radical attacks, but teenage brains do not. These hyperactive cells are usually killed when exposed to free radicals and toxins.
Teens should follow regular, balanced, exercise programs. Fruits and vegetables, as well as vitamin C supplements, should be consumed daily. If a regular exercise program is not maintained, or if there are not plenty of fruits and vegetables in the diet, then vitamins and supplements may be necessary. Antioxidant vitamins, such as the best vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E, can help protect cells from free radical damage and prevent oxidative stress. Talk with your child’s doctor about supplementing before you buy vitamins. Have them check your teen’s blood levels of vitamin D, vitamin C, and other common deficiencies. Use the best vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidants to help your teen combat free radical damage.
About the Author: Phil Le Breton is the owner at Wholesale Nutrition. He has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health with vitamins and supplements. Wholesale Nutrition has the best vitamin C powder on the market (C-Salts). Visit http://www.nutri.com to buy vitamin C supplements of the highest quality.
Tags: best vitamin c, Free Radical Damage, free radicals, oxidative stress, teen vitamins, Vitamin C, vitamin c supplements, vitamin requirement teens
