BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electronic personal health records (PHRs) allow patients access to their medical records, self-management tools, and new avenues of communication with their health care providers.
Antioxidants are chemicals that interact with and neutralize free radicals, thus preventing them from causing damage. Antioxidants are also known as âfree radical scavengers.â. The body makes some of the antioxidants it uses to neutralize free radicals. These antioxidants are called endogenous antioxidants. However, the body relies on external (exogenous) sources, primarily the diet, to obtain the rest of the antioxidants it needs.
Antioxidants are organic compounds found in food especially in brightly colored vegetables and grains. Common antioxidants in food include: vitamin A, C and E; beta-carotene, lycopene and the trace mineral selenium.Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron. However, the donating antioxidants become free radicals in the process with one exception, glutathione, which is created by the liver.ommon antioxidants in food include: vitamin A, C and E; beta-carotene, lycopene and the trace mineral selenium. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron.