What Is the Best Antioxidant Supplement? My Top 3 Go-To’s
Antioxidants are, in essence,
protectors and nurturers of human health.
They are absolutely key to the proper functioning of our bodies and ensuring that one is acquiring a sufficient level of antioxidants is required to achieve and maintain optimal wellness.
Here we will explore a bit about what antioxidants are, why they are so important, and the top 3 best antioxidant supplements that I’ve found out of the many that I’ve tried.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you click the link and subsequently make a purchase on the merchant’s website, we may earn a small commission at absolutely no additional cost to you. All opinions are entirely my own. I have used all products mentioned personally for years.
What Are Antioxidants and Why Are They Important?
Also known as “free radical scavengers,” antioxidants are molecules/substances that help to stabilize free radicals, thereby protecting your cells from the effects/potential damage they can cause.
Antioxidants essentially neutralize the adverse impacts of free radicals.
Free radicals are “unstable” atoms that can cause various types of cell damage (including DNA damage), which are produced as a result of a process called oxidation.
Oxidation is the result of many normal physiological processes that occur:
- As part of phase 1 of the liver detoxification process when your
body is cleansing itself from various pollutants and toxins such as
smoke, pesticides, etc - As you breathe and your body metabolizes oxygen to be utilized for energy by your cells
- When your cells use glucose to produce energy
- When your immune system is fighting off a pathogen such as bacteria, fungus, or parasites
- As part of your stress response
- When metabolizing glucose/sugar
- And more
Free radicals are also produced at high levels by exposure to x-rays, heavy metals, pesticides, and environmental toxins such as smoke, industrial chemicals, air pollution, and more.
A balance between antioxidants and free radicals is required so as to maintain health and the proper physiological function of the body.
If there is an imbalance between the amount of free radicals present in relation to the amount of antioxidants present, with fewer antioxidants to free radicals, an increase in “oxidative stress” can occur.
Oxidative stress refers to stress and damage that can be done to our cells as a result of being exposed to too many free radicals.
An increase in oxidative stress can contribute to the development of a variety of different medical conditions including neurodegenerative conditions (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc), diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, cataracts, skin conditions, and many others.
Additional symptoms of increased oxidative stress can include chronic fatigue, brain fog, migraines, anxiety, and many more.
Furthermore, an increase in oxidative stress makes overall healing more challenging for the body. Making sure you are acquiring plenty of antioxidants is a wonderful way of helping your body to heal more efficiently.
A combination of high antioxidant foods and superior antioxidant supplementation is the most comprehensive way of meeting your body’s antioxidant needs.
Much more on the topic of antioxidants, oxidative stress, and more, can be found here.
What Is the Best Antioxidant Supplement?
I have been on a long and complex healing journey, and have extensive experience with many different kinds of supplements.
When it comes to antioxidants, I have tried quite a few, and these are the top 3 supplements that have stood out in their quality and effectiveness.
I include all of these in a rotation in my daily supplement protocol.
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Pure Therapro Rx S-Acetyl Glutathione
Glutathione is often referred to as the body’s “master antioxidant.” It is a tripeptide that is made of the amino acids (the building blocks of protein) glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is high in sulfur, which accounts for many of its health benefits.
Not only is glutathione a potent and master antioxidant, but it is also essential for detoxification, immune function, nutrient metabolism, gene expression, DNA and protein synthesis, and much more. It is a huge player in the overall functioning of the human body.
While glutathione is indeed made by the body, endogenous production can decline for many reasons including age, chronic illness, chronic stress, expressive gene variants involving glutathione production and methylation, increased exposure to environmental toxins such as mold, smoke, and more.
This is where a superior quality,
well-absorbed glutathione supplement such as this one comes in.
Most forms of glutathione supplements aren’t well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Liposomal forms have a higher absorption rate, as well as the acetylated form of glutathione.
Acetylated glutathione is also more stable throughout the digestive system. This product is also enteric coated, which makes it more resistant to stomach acid, increasing overall absorption. These factors help this product to be more bioavailable – to successfully enter the body’s cells and henceforth fulfill its many important roles.
Pure Therapro Rx uses a superior form of acetylated glutathione in this product called Emothion.
I have tolerated this form very well, even though I have an expressive CBS gene variant, which makes me more sensitive to sulfur.
Pure Therapro Rx S-Acetyl Glutathione is noticeably more gentle than others I have tried.
Dosing is particular to the individual, but an average dose is around 500-600 mg per day.
Each capsule is 300mg so I take 1 capsule, twice daily on an empty stomach – 1 first thing in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. 
This bottle lasts me about a month.
This supplement is free of all fillers and allergens, including corn, yeast, soy, gluten, dairy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, and GMO’s. I have many sensitivities so using supplements that are free of all of these ingredients is important to me.
This supplement has not only provided antioxidant protection but has helped improve my energy levels and is a key part of my Biotoxin Illness/Mold Toxicity protocol.
I have been healing from prolonged exposure to toxic black mold, and this supplement has been a staple as part of my detoxification efforts and a big part of helping to improve my overall immune function.
Optimizing glutathione within the body is one of the most powerful ways of supporting one’s health. I’m super grateful for this supplement, and it will be a part of my protocol for a long time.
Click here to check it out.
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Thorne Curcumin Phytosome
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric root that gives it its powerful healing properties. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant, as well as a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Curcumin can be helpful for all kinds of healing needs including natural pain relief, cognitive/brain support, antioxidant protection, supporting health health, and more.
I’ve tried quite a few different curcumin supplements, but none of them stood out as much as Thorne Curcumin Phytosome.
Thorne uses a unique method to optimize the bioavailability and absorption of the nutrients, which really makes a difference in the efficacy of the product. The curcuminoids are bound to phospholipids (sunflower derived), which allows them to be more thoroughly assimilated by the body.
This particular curcumin supplement is the most clinically studied curcumin on the market and has demonstrated a 29-times greater absorption rate than any other curcumin product.
This product is soy free, which is important, as soy is a phytoestrogen and can cause hormone imbalances. I have particular sensitivities to soy, and also have endometriosis, so avoiding anything that is particularly estrogenic is key.
It is also free of all other allergens including corn, yeast, gluten, dairy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, and artificial ingredients.
Dosing is individual, however the standard dose for this supplement is 1 to 2 capsules twice daily, with or without food.
It is best to only take this supplement in the morning or afternoon, avoiding use within 3 hours of bedtime, as it can help with energy.
This has been one of my go-to antioxidant supplements and it has helped improve my energy levels, reduce brain fog, and has been a big help in reducing endometriosis pain as well.
Click here to check it out.
⭐️When you use the above purple links, you will automatically receive a 5% discount on your order at Thorne :)⭐️
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Seeking Health Optimal Liposomal Vitamin C
This was one of the first supplements I ever tried from the Seeking Health line, which is one of my absolute favorite lines of supplements.
It quickly became one of my staples and still is.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that is needed for proper immune system function, to make collagen for connective tissue and skin health, to recycle glutathione (the master antioxidant included above), and it acts as an antioxidant in the body.
Seeking Health Optimal Liposomal Vitamin C is a high-potency liquid supplement that is bound to the phospholipids phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine (sunflower derived), which maximizes its absorption.
This product is also free of soy, yeast, gluten, dairy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, and artificial ingredients
Dosing is individual, however that standard dose for this product is 1 teaspoon per day on an empty stomach, which delivers 1,000mg of vitamin C.
This bottle lasts me about a month.
This can be taken on its own or in a smoothie, water, or other liquid of your choice. It has a pleasant, citrus taste. I just take it by itself first thing in the morning.
It is best to only take this supplement in the morning or afternoon, avoiding use within 3 hours of bedtime, as it can help with energy.
After opening, it is best to store it in the refrigerator.
Shortly after starting this supplement, I experienced a noticeable decrease in the amount of headaches and migraines I was having throughout the week.
This has also been an awesome immune system support, antioxidant support, and a great all-around supplement for general wellness.
Click here to check it out.
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In Closing…
As we’ve explored here, antioxidants are key to the health and proper functioning of our bodies.
Utilizing great quality and effective antioxidant supplements such as those included here is an excellent way to ensure that you are meeting your body’s antioxidant needs.
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