Why are Antioxidants so important to us?

Our bodies are constantly producing free radicals; these supercharged chemicals form when oxygen and nitric oxide react with our tissue to form unwanted charged molecules. These free radicals cause a chain reaction with our cells and DNA, which causes damage to our tissues. As this damage builds up, the body’s tissue starts ageing, our hearts get weaker, our blood vessels start clogging up and our brain starts degenerating. Our bodies are clever, they are constantly producing antioxidants to neutralise the free radicals and protect us by repairing the tissue and our DNA. These antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage which, eventually is the pathway to cancer, ageing, arthritis and various other illnesses.

What scientific evidence says about free radicals and oxidative stress

Strenuous exercise and long-standing emotional, mental and physical stress can produce large amounts of free radicals in the body. Oxidative stress from chronic stress is a well-documented pathway to cellular damage (Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2017). (Solo’s Advanced Vitamin B Complex is an excellent stress buster). If the body cannot produce enough antioxidants, damage starts occurring and you can develop illnesses such as heart disease, muscle aches and pains, ME and diabetes. So making sure you increase your Antioxidants is vital.

How environmental toxins affect your body’s natural defences

Sometimes the body’s immune system’s cells create free radicals of its own to fight infection. However, environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, herbicides and pollution can weaken the killer cell system. According to the World Health Organization (2024), air pollution alone contributes to approximately 7 million premature deaths annually, partly through oxidative stress mechanisms.

Dietary sources of antioxidants vs supplementation

Junk foods, uncooked food or food which has not been digested properly, can cause other toxins such as cholesterol and lactic acid in the body. You may be thinking about how to increase Antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in wholesome foods and herbs. Fruits and vegetables are rich in the main antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene, and selenium. The National Institutes of Health (2025) confirms that a balanced diet rich in colourful produce provides foundational antioxidant support, but supplementation can help address specific deficiencies. All these and more are packed into Solo’s MultiFifty one-a-day multivitamin and mineral formula.

Solo’s MultiFifty one-a-day multivitamin is packed with antioxidants

Scientific references

• Oxidative stress and chronic stress — Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2017. PubMed ID: 28539753
• World Health Organization — Air pollution and oxidative stress (2024). WHO fact sheet
• National Institutes of Health — Antioxidants and human health (2025). NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Nigel Grosse

Nigel came into the natural products industry in 1980 working for a small vitamin/herbal company, Power Health, specialising in the food supplement side of the natural products industry. After gaining a number of years’ experience and expertise, Nigel joined Solgar Vitamins as one of their first recruits in 1989. He gained a vast array of knowledge in manufacturing and the production side of the business with Solgar. Nigel was commissioned to start two companies; Vega Nutritionals and Kudos Vitamins. This experience was invaluable when Nigel started Solo Nutrition – quality, purity, never compromised, never equalled.