Which category of nutrients protects the body from free radicals and cellular damage?

Antioxidants are indeed the category of nutrients that specifically protect the body from free radicals and cellular damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, leading to damage to cells, proteins, and even DNA. Antioxidants work by neutralizing these free radicals, thereby preventing them from causing harm.

While vitamins, especially certain ones like vitamin C and vitamin E, can function as antioxidants, it's important to recognize that the term "antioxidants" encompasses a broader range of compounds, including some minerals and phytochemicals that also perform this protective role. Minerals such as selenium and zinc act as co-factors for antioxidant enzymes, but they are not classified as antioxidants themselves.

Proteins also play various roles in the body, including structural and enzymatic functions, but they do not specifically target free radicals like antioxidants do. Thus, the category that directly addresses the protection from oxidative damage is antioxidants.