Antioxidants as Adjuncts to Conventional Therapies Against Oxidative Stress

Oxidative phosphorylation causes free radicals to accumulate in the mitochondria. A rise in oxidative stress is triggered by their high reactivity and unoccupied electrons. The brain is particularly affected by this ailment since it often requires a lot of oxygen and has a high potential for collecting “Reacting Species.” Antioxidant molecules have a critical role in preventing free radical disruption, especially in the brain. In particular, oxidative stress appears to accelerate the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. The goal of this chapter is to identify natural antioxidant molecules that have the highest ability to defend against the formation of free radicals while also gaining a knowledge of how these molecules interact with the central nervous system. This chapter also aims to give an outline of the scientific research and professional opinion on the factors associated with the lifestyle that promotes brain health as people age. The topics to be covered include mental health, brain-stimulating activities, sleep, social interaction, diet and nutrition for brain health, physical activity, and brain-protective antioxidant dietary supplements.