Oxidative stress is now recognized as the leading cause of chronic disease and aging. It occurs when free radicals spiral out of control.

Since we all have free radicals, what role do they play in damaging the body and how do we get rid of them?

Free radicals are simply a molecule lacking an electron. The most common free radical in the body is created from oxygen. When oxidized, the oxygen in the air we breathe forms four oxygen free radicals and two nitrogen free radicals, all of which damage cell membranes and DNA.

Over time, free radical damage to the tissues and organs accumulates, eventually leading to a point where the body cannot repair itself fast enough. This leads to degenerative diseases and aging, including Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, and cancer. Oxidative damage can also accelerate the cellular destruction that occurs with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

There are three major ways that free radicals overwhelm the body. One way is through exposure to environmental pollution or toxins, including cigarette smoke, alcohol, automobile exhaust, air pollution, asbestos, radiation, bacterial, fungal or viral infections.

The second way that oxidative stress occurs is through the normal metabolic and immune functions of the body. Each time glucose is burned to generate energy, free radicals are created inside the cell. Free radicals are also generated by immune cells in order to destroy invading microorganisms.

Thirdly, your emotions and exposure to stress can add to the oxidative stress that occurs in your body. A recent study found that women who have experienced extreme stress caring for a chronically ill child have higher levels of oxidative stress in their bodies than do control subjects.

Although the body is naturally built to handle free radicals, most of us experience oxidative stress from a combination of sources. In other words, your diet may not be the best, you may be exposed to environmental pollution, or be exposed to emotional stress on a daily basis.

This is why antioxidants become so vital to health. Antioxidants are molecules that are loaded with extra free electrons. When we have sufficient antioxidants, free radicals are rendered harmless. Antioxidants are found in Vitamins A, C, and E and the fruits and vegetables that we eat. However, even eating the 5-8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, or using supplements often does not do enough to combat oxidative stress.

The antioxidant power of fruits and vegetables far surpass their vitamin content. For example, blueberries and raspberries have over 40 times the antioxidant power of pure Vitamin E. This is the reason for the French paradox and why it is recommended that we drink red wine. It is not the alcohol in red wine that is benefical to your health. Rather, it is the abundant quantities of polyphenols compounds that have been found in wine that has been dealcoholized.

There is an even better source: the newly discovered NingXia wolfberry is the strongest known whole food antioxidant. It is rich in a number of compounds that protect the cellular DNA, such as ellagic acid, beta-caryophyllene, and potassium. The wolfberry has long been regarded as a national treasure by the native Chinese and has been used by Olympic coaches as their "secret weapon" to achieve gold metal results.

The wolfberry can be added to the diet in liquid form or as the dried berry. A dose of 1-3 ounces of the whole fruit puree will flood the body with the antioxidants that it needs. The wolfberry is the best way to add to your diet the most powerful antioxidants that combat oxidative stress.