What nutrients primarily help in protecting the body from oxidative stress?

Vitamins and minerals are pivotal in safeguarding the body against oxidative stress due to their roles as antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that can neutralize free radicals—unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage and lead to various health issues, including chronic diseases and aging.

Specific vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, have been extensively studied for their antioxidant properties. Vitamin C can donate electrons to free radicals, thereby neutralizing them, while vitamin E protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. Additionally, minerals like selenium and zinc play crucial roles in the body's antioxidant defense system, helping enzymes that combat oxidative stress.

While proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are essential macronutrients that serve various functions in the body, they do not directly contribute to the antioxidant defense in the same way that vitamins and minerals do. Proteins are vital for building and repairing tissues, carbohydrates serve as a primary energy source, and fats are important for hormone production and energy storage, but they do not primarily protect against oxidative stress.