Endogenous antioxidants

You’ve probably heard that antioxidants like vitamin C help protect your cells from damage. That’s true—but here’s the part most people don’t know:

Your body actually makes its own antioxidants. And they’re way more powerful.

These are called endogenous antioxidants, and they can be thousands to millions of times more effective than dietary ones like vitamin C.

Some of the key ones include:

• Glutathione – your body’s master detoxifier

• CoQ10 – critical for energy production in your mitochondria

• Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) – breaks down harmful oxygen radicals

• Catalase – helps clear out hydrogen peroxide

But here’s the catch:

Your body can only make them if you get the right nutrients.

Most modern diets—especially plant-heavy or low-protein ones—don’t provide enough.
Instead of eating nose-to-tail like we used to, we now rely on muscle meats, ultra-processed foods, and grains that don’t supply the raw materials for your body’s defense system.

When your endogenous antioxidant levels drop:

• Oxidative stress builds up

• Low-grade inflammation sets in

• Aging speeds up behind the scenes

• And your metabolism slows down

To protect your cells, keep inflammation in check, and support real resilience—you need to give your body the tools it needs to defend itself from the inside out.

Food alone won’t cut it unless it’s the right kind of food.