Importance of Supplements

I have been reading a book on nutrition.
It's written by a doctor who was anti-supplements, until his wife's poor health constituition was vastly improved by antioxidants( vitamins and others). That's when he went on to find out more on antioxidants.

Everyday in our body, during the ATP cycle (a phase in our body where energy is produced using Oxygen) there exists the possibility of radicals being formed.
Radicals (scroll to the bottom half to see about the ATP issue) can attack our body cells leading to deterioration of our body. They are unstable due to an additional electron. They would require an additional electron, which can be obtained from antioxidants. The antioxidants don't become free radicals by donating that electron, because they are stable in either form (whether they have filled electron shell or additional electron). A similar process is iron rusting and a cut apple turning yellow.
Antioxidants can reduce oxidative damage to cells and biomolecules. Basic antioxidants will be Vitamins A, C, E, B complex, Coenzyme Q10.

In the book, it was mentioned about athletes, who train with great intensity, the amount of radicals produced will be greatly increased, due to the increase of ATP activities. In a book by Kenneth Cooper - Antioxidant Revolution, it was mentioned that over-exercise can actually be harmful, especially when accumulated throughout the years. Dr Cooper suggested people to have moderate exercise, coupled with antioxidants in their supplements & diet. Athletes who train vigorously will need a high dose of antioxidants supplement to prevent the harm of radicals.

You'll now ask won't taking more fruits & veggies be sufficient?
Those you obtain from our daily diet is like the frontline soldiers. In our battle against radicals, we'll need reinforcements, resupplies, 'food', 'ammunitions' , 'water', etc.
These will have to come from our supplements which are like our NSmen, who will be activated when the need comes. We need our NSmen to be ever-ready and fighting fit. Likewise, the antioxidants we consume into our body must be of the top notch quality as well.

I know there will be people who don't believe in supplements, nonetheless, I strongly encourage you all to start taking (if you haven't done so) multivitamins&minerals and even purely vitamins A,C,E, Bcomplex. Girls, vits ACE can help in complexion!
Other than vitamins&minerals, protein will be another important nutrients we need. I will supply more info on that later, otherwise mail too long.
If you need any information like how all these radical things happen, or which brand of supplements to get, pls feel free to ask me.