When excessive oxidation occurs for prolonged periods, it can take a toll on the system. Changes occur in cells which include damage to fatty acids, inactivation of enzymes, deterioration of cell membranes, breakdown of proteins, and damage to the DNA. For instance, if oxidants damage DNA, the eventual consequence could be a higher likelihood of cancer. If the damage occurs in arteries that supply blood to the heart, it could lead to hardening of the arteries and a heart attack. All these changes lead to disease and premature aging. Over the past few years, scientific evidence has slowly accumulated indicating that taking antioxidant supplements could potentially reduce the risk of certain illnesses and maintain brain health. There is, as of now, no proof that ingesting antioxidants prolongs life span in humans, but enough evidence has accumulated on the benefits of antioxidants that one should not casually dismiss their potential in improving quality of life and slowing the progression of certain chronic degenerative disorders.

But with the thousands of antioxidants available in our foodstuffs and the dozens available as supplements, which ones should you take, and in what dosages? This chapter will provide you with practical guidelines.

What Can Antioxidants Do for You?
As a rule, you are not likely to notice any immediate cognitive benefits from taking the antioxidants discussed in this chapter. Therefore, do not expect any dramatic changes in mood, energy, alertness, and memory. Antioxidants can be compared to health insurance. You pay your monthly fee but don’t often get the benefits until years later when you need a hospital bill paid. Antioxidants serve to protect your brain cells, proteins, and DNA from the gradual damage that occurs with the aging process. However, chapter 12 discusses other nutrients that have antioxidant benefits, such as CoQ10 and lipoic acid, which are mind energizers—they have immediate cognitive effects.

What Conditions Do Antioxidants Benefit?
It’s quite likely that, over the long run, antioxidants could slow the progression of heart disease, cancer, age related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and perhaps other conditions, though there is no definite proof yet.

No benefit for metabolic syndrome, concentrate on dietary means instead
People who want to forestall heart disease and diabetes may do better by choosing antioxidant-rich foods instead of antioxidant supplements. Among more than 5,200 middle-aged adults, antioxidant supplements had no effect on the risk of developing metabolic syndrome over seven-plus years. Metabolic syndrome refers to a collection of risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke -- including high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides and high blood sugar. The condition is diagnosed when a person has at least three of those risk factors. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August 2009.

What Are Some Examples of Oxidants?
There are quite a number of damaging oxidants that we are exposed to on a daily basis. The most common are hydroxyl (OH), superoxide (O2), hydrogen peroxide (H202), and ozone (03).

Brain Cells Can Get Oxidized
The cell membrane of neurons is made mostly of phospholipids, which contain fatty acids. Nerve fibers that travel from the brain to the spinal cord, and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body, are also insulated with a white-colored fatty substance called myelin. With time, these fats can become oxidized, interfering with proper nerve activity. The process of fats becoming oxidized is called lipid peroxidation. The oxidation of fats contributes to brain aging and can accelerate degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. You may recall from chapter 7 that the brain contains a great deal of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as DHA and arachidonic acid, which are particularly susceptible to oxidation. As we age, many of these fatty acids in the brain become damaged due to oxidation and they lose some of their double bonds, thus becoming more saturated. Neurons in the brain become less efficient the more the fatty acids become saturated. Antioxidants can thus play a protective role in keeping the fatty acids in the brain healthy. After all, about 60 percent of the brain is made of fat.

Antioxidants and Memory
Although many antioxidant pills do not immediately influence cognition and memory, they very well could have a positive effect in the long run. Researchers at the University of Bern, in Switzerland, evaluated a total of three hundred male and one hundred thirty female volunteers, aged sixty-five to ninety-four, over twenty-two years. In 1971, they measured blood levels of three antioxidants: vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. They also performed extensive memory testing. They found that higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin C and beta-carotene, were associated with better performance in memory testing. The researchers state, "These results indicate the important role played by antioxidants in brain aging and may have implications for prevention of progressive cognitive impairments."

The researchers only tested blood levels of three antioxidants. It is quite likely that a number of other antioxidants play a role in helping us preserve memory and mental capacities in our later years. For instance, an eight-month study in rats showed administration of extracts from strawberries and spinach, either alone or with vitamin E, was able to slow damage to brain cells due to the aging process (Joseph 1998).

In this chapter I will briefly discuss some of the well-known antioxidants and also mention others that should be considered as part of a comprehensive antioxidant mind-preserving program.