What are compounds that help protect cells from damage due to aging and oxygenation?

Antioxidants are compounds that play a crucial role in protecting cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, which is a result of normal metabolic processes and environmental factors. These compounds work by neutralizing free radicals—unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage and contribute to the aging process as well as various diseases.

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals, stabilizing them and preventing them from causing further damage to cellular components such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. This protective role is important for maintaining cellular health and longevity.

Vitamins and minerals do have roles in supporting overall health, but not all vitamins function as antioxidants. For instance, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are specific vitamins that act as antioxidants. Thus, while vitamins are essential nutrients, the term "antioxidants" encompasses a broader range of compounds, including certain vitamins and other molecules like flavonoids and carotenoids, which specifically counteract oxidative damage.

Proteins are essential for various bodily functions but do not typically fit the role of directly combating oxidative stress in the way that antioxidants do.