Oxidation is the process of breaking down. Just like metal rusting when exposed to oxygen, so too do our bodies deteriorate. The presence of free oxygen radicals in the body is believed to be the cause of aging at the molecular level. Oxygen radicals are reactive molecules that damage cellular components, resulting in oxidative stress. Lately, taking anti-oxidants have become very popular as a way to control the molecular aging process. A recent study attempted to measure the reactive oxygen species in worms to identify which processes were affected. They found that very high levels of oxygen radicals exist in the worm’s body, long before the aging actually begins.