Here's Why You Should Add Antioxidant Supplements to Your Routine

If you're on a quest to nourish your body from the inside out (and why not, right?), a healthy diet and a multivitamin are great starting points. But there's something else you might want to consider: an antioxidant supplement.

First, let's back up and talk a little bit about antioxidants—what they are and why they're beneficial. "Antioxidants are molecules found in your body and in foods including fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and animal products," says Laura Erlich, holistic fertility and obstetric specialist. "Their job is to help your body maintain appropriate levels of free radicals, which are compounds that can damage the cells."

Antioxidant supplements are basically synthetic or whole-food versions of the nutrients found abundantly in these antioxidant-rich foods or produced by your body, she explains. They include vitamins C and E, as well as flavonoids from foods, glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid, and melatonin.

Think of these supplements as insurance, says Kimberly Snyder, CN, founder of Solluna. Though people should try to get antioxidants mainly from food, these high-potency sources can help fill any gaps.

Adding supplements to a healthy diet can help boost levels, which is especially useful if you have pre-identified deficiencies or are faced with illness, injury, infertility, or systemic inflammation, says Erlich. "As an example, vegetarians might need iron or vitamin B12, or in other instances, people with osteoporosis might need extra calcium and vitamin D," explains Snyder. Even the general population can benefit because "unfortunately, we live in a world where we're constantly exposed to free radicals like smog, airborne pollutants, toxins in our water supply, EMFs from phones, and the list goes on," she adds.

While virtually everyone can benefit from a healthy diet, we don't all need to take supplements for the heck of it, says Erlich. So before you grab an antioxidant supplement, be sure to do your due diligence. "While vitamins C and E are both necessary for our survival, too much C can lead to diarrhea, so be careful if you have a sensitive stomach," she explains.

What's more, some formulas may interact with certain medications, says Snyder. It's always a good idea to bring any supplements you're planning to take to your healthcare provider—they'll be able to help you navigate these sorts of issues. And, of course, if you notice any strange symptoms, stop taking the supplement right away and talk to your healthcare provider, adds Snyder.

When searching for the right antioxidant supplement for you, first and foremost, choose supplements that are pharmaceutical-grade, says Erlich. And look for whole food versions as much as possible. The formulas highlighted here are a good place to start: