Free radicals are the by-product of a normal and necessary event -- the burning of oxygen by your body's cells to produce energy. These "by-product" molecules are missing an electron, and will attack any nearby molecule to get it. If they take electrons from important components in your body, like DNA, protein or fat, they do damage to those cells and precipitate health problems. Not only that, but in the course of these exchanges a chain reaction results and new free radicals are formed, compounding the problem.i

Over time, the cumulative effects of free radicals can contribute to premature aging and diseases such as artery and heart disease, arthritis, cataracts and cancer. Free radicals can also be caused by environmental factors such as pollution, smoking and ultraviolet light.

How Antioxidants Work
Antioxidants are a group of compounds that act as free radical scavengers, donating electrons and neutralizing free radicals, preventing their damage to other cells. They convert free radicals to harmless waste products that get eliminated from your body before they can do damage; some may even repair previous damage.

Three vitamins appear to play an important role in helping neutralize free radicals. They are:

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Beta-Carotene