Free radicals are the pervading cause of cell damage. They attack other cells, the cell walls, and genetic material within. Over a long period, such damage can become irreversible, leading to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and other diseases associated with aging. The one thing that can stop free radicals from completely damaging our tissues is the antioxidant. An antioxidant is a chemical that prevents the oxidation of other chemicals. In normal biological systems, free radicals have the tendency to attack healthy molecules around them and turn them into free radicals like themselves, creating a chain reaction which could lead to massive cellular damage. It is the job of the antioxidant to keep free radicals from turning healthy molecules into free radicals. The antioxidant breaks off the free radical chain, thus preventing damage in the cells. In addition, antioxidants may also have properties that enable them to repair damages that might have been incurred.