Each cell in the body needs energy to be able to function and exist properly. The cell needs oxygen and as part of the process for making the energy some amounts of free radicals are created as by-products. Free Radicals are molecules which are unstable. They bond with acids in their areas in the body and the acids fight the free radicals. This is how the damage to the cell occurs.

Really though the free radicals are harmless and the body repairs itself. It always does. As long as there is moderation in anything we subject our bodies to we can help our selves. That is good to hear.

If we are excessive though and are basically not caring about ourselves enough and in the right way and are subject to too much say air pollution, UV Light from too much exposure to the sun's rays, unhealthy diet, alchohol, nicotine, caffeine, even too much exercise .[The muscles of the body ache and stiffen due to the fact that when over-used as in doing too much or too quickly. this is a sign that poison has entered your cells which your body has made because it is under stress and it hurts. You feel as though you can hardly do anything for a few days. This is your body
telling you to take it more easy next time please.] and of course, the killer--- stress-depending on the kind of person we are and whether or not we allow ourselves to react to events in a stressful way eg. Getting het up in queues in traffic or the supermarket or with our children-which won't do them any good either. [I'm not referring here to life-changing stressful times and times of profound grief although of course these will affect us] What's not so good to hear is that more free radicals can be made and are made. Everything in excess causes stress to our body functioning well and
it can't deal with the amount of free radicals competently enough. This is the time when the aging process of our skin speeds up.

This is where antioxidants help tremendously. The body of course has it's own antioxidants in it's cells. They render free radicals harmless by attacking them, which then neutralises the free radicals. Whilst the body
makes it's own antioxidants some are gained from eating foods containing naturally these antioxidants, eg fruit and veg. As with all things though if our body is continually drawing on these antioxidants, supplies will not
be regenerated enough to cope with the demands made and over time this will have a big effect on us and will show itself in our outward appearance as well as our inward processes of the body.

It can be a vicious circle can't it? All the elements of our way of life creating more free radicals than our body can cope with causing damage to ourselves.

Nowadays we can supplement ourselves with vitamins and skin-care products which include antioxidants and all are so beneficial. The fact that manufacturers of tanning creams want the best for you and your skin shows
itself when you look at the ingredients of these products and now you know the significance and importance of them as well. This in turn will give you reassurance. Not only can we now tan under the sunbed knowing that we are
safe within the time limit of our choice to the UV rays exposure which again as we all know is good for us; assimilating that very essential Vitamin D which is so badly needed to boost our immune system especially in
this northern hemisphere where we live; but that the 'feel good factor' comes into play as well. This is as important as anything else as far as I'm concerned. How often do we feel so, so good when we finish a session on
the sunbed especially in the cold seasons. It's as if our bodies are telling us how much they've benefited from the source of nourishment from those essential rays. Putting aside the fact that you may want a tan; I
believe the beneficial effects are enormous. The 'feel good' factor for me is knowing also that I've helped de-stress my body for a while. Walking by the way is a good way to help your body get rid of the free- radicals.

It's well known now that healthy skin tans better and stays brown longer. Tanning creams and lotions are good for your skin in a number of ways and not only for antioxidants. California Tan, Power Tan and John Abate have
antioxidants added to their products which are; LUTEIN, VITAMIN E, RASBERRY SEED OIL, and GRAPE SEED EXTRACT ASCORBIC ACID [vitamin C] and others. These products include many ingredients which combat the effects of aging and are excellent in helping replenish and nourish your skin. Along side a healthy life-style and the feel good factor I reckon we can take really good care of ourselves don't you?