Support Your Exercise Efforts with Antioxidants

Weight loss and exercise go hand in hand. But one overlooked effect of exercise is the increased production of free radicals that damage cell membranes, DNA, and other molecules. Moderate to intense physical activity also depletes levels of the antioxidants your body produces to neutralize free radicals, increasing your susceptibility to oxidative stress.

Fortunately, these effects can be countered by taking adequate amounts of supplemental antioxidants. To protect your cells from the free-radical damage caused by exercise, take a daily antioxidant-rich multivitamin that contains 1,000 mg vitamin C, 300 IU vitamin E, and 10,000 IU beta-carotene.