Importance of antioxidant nutrients
A variety of nutrients are essential for the health and well-being of your child, and they include the antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants can help your child have healthier cells. Breast milk contains a variety of antioxidant nutrients. Breastfeeding is one of the ways to help your child obtain these nutrients to support growth and development. There are also many food sources of antioxidant nutrients that you can give your child when he or she is older.

What are antioxidants and oxygen free radicals?
Oxygen free radicals are highly reactive oxygen species and are naturally present in our body as a result of biochemical reactions occurring in our body's systems. They are also present from air pollutants and tobacco smoke in the environment; from excessive exposure to alcohol, preservatives, and fertilizers; and from UV rays, X-rays, and ozone. Free radicals are harmful when there is a lack of antioxidants or when there is an excess of these radicals. They have been implicated in the development of cancer, heart disease, arthritis, cataracts and other degenerative diseases, and the aging process.

Oxygen free radicals have been found to damage cell membranes; damage and mutate DNA, thereby increasing the risk of cancerous cells; convert certain chemicals into active cancer-causing agents; and inactivate and break down proteins.

Antioxidants are substances that can neutralize or destroy oxygen free radicals.

Antioxidants nutrient
The body's antioxidant defense system includes enzymes and a variety of vitamins and minerals. The antioxidant vitamins consist of carotenoids (precursors to vitamin A), vitamins C and E, and minerals such as zinc, selenium, and manganese. These nutrients act together with the enzymes to protect our cells against free radical damage.

Carotenoids (precursors of vitamin A)
Carotenoids interact with vitamins C and E and with selenium in the antioxidant function. They have a role in boosting the body's sysems through their antioxidative effect. Furthermore, vitamin A also ensures the development of healthy skin, mucous membranes, thymus gland, and lymphoid tissues.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C has been found to protect against lipid peroxidation in cells together with vitamin E. It may also have a role in cancer prevention.

Vitamin E
A powerful antioxidant, vitamin E acts by either scavenging free radicals or breaking the chain of free radical reactions. It does this by reacting with the free radicals. The health benefits associated with the antioxidant function of vitamin E may include prevention of cancer and heart disease.

Selenium
Selenium is an essential trace mineral, with important functions in preserving health and preventing diseases in humans. As part of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, selenium plays a role in the body's antioxidant defense system. In its antioxidative capacity, selenium works closely with vitamin E to prevent free radical damage to cells.

Infants and children have an increased need for selenium owing to their rapid growth rate. The RDA for selenium for infants is 10 mcg/d from birth to 6 months of age and 15 mcg/d from 6 to 12 months of age. Generally, human milk is a good source of selenium. The selenium content in breast milk varies, depending on the mother's diet and the stage of lactation. Food sources of selenium include meat, fish, and cereals.

Reprinted with permission from Wyeth Nutrition