By now you"ve probably heard that antioxidants are good for you, but a growing number of researchers are beginning to believe that adequate or even more-than-adequate amounts are absolutely vital to our health and well-being. This book by James F. Balch, M.D., author of the bestselling Prescription for Nutritional Healing, describes a wide range of antioxidant substances in food and extracted into supplements that can help prevent or conquer illness and even slow the aging process itself. As Balch points out, when our bodies turn oxygen into energy the reaction creates damaging byproducts known as free radicals, which "eat away" at us almost as rust does metal. Antioxidants help keep free radicals from forming and eliminate those already in the body, putting the brakes on at least some of this long-term damage. But while many people are aware of the antioxidant value of vitamins such as C and E, there are also powerful free-radical-scavenging substances in a wide variety of products-- including fish oils, tree barks, herbs, wine, and tea, as well as colorful fruits and vegetables. Because antioxidants may be more effective in combination, Balch makes a good case for taking concentrated antioxidant supplements as well as eating a diverse diet. A few of the substances he mentions are controversial (and he"s careful to provide brief cautions), but it wouldn"t be surprising if many of the antioxidants he recommends eventually become mainstream tonics. --Ben Kallen