The word antioxidant is continuously featured in articles about health and nutrition. But what is an antioxidant? In short, it is nutrient or substance naturally present in vegetables and fruit that protects the body from free radicals. The next questions we should ask is what are free radicals and why are they to be feared? One easy explanation is that free radicals are oxygen species with a missing electron. This means that free radicals are extremely reactive, unstable and possibly devastating to your health. They can damage DNA, destroy cell membranes and oxidize LDL. Our bodies naturally produce free radicals through the use of oxygen for energy production in our cells. We also create excess free radicals during stress, disease and inflammation.
Antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and repair damage done by repairing and preventing damage done by free radicals. Antioxidants protect our bodies from the free-radicals exposed to in the environment and that are produced as a by-product of metabolism. Over time exposure to harmful free radicals can damage cellular health and may contribute to the aging process. Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, macular degeneration along with other degenerative diseases are all affected by oxidative damage.
Antioxidants are synergistic and we need a combination of antioxidant rich foods to get the most benefit! A nutrition plan that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts can supply antioxidants your body needs.
Examples of antioxidants in foods:
Tomatoes – Cartenoids, Beta-Carotene, Lycopene, phenolic acids, potassium.
Onion – Flavenoids, organosulfers, allicin, diallyl disulfide, quercitin.
Garlic – Saponins, organosulfurs, allicin, quercitin, diallyl disulfide.
Carrots – Cartenoids, beta-carotene, lycopene, phenolic acids.
Kidney Beans – Saponins, phytosterols.
Keeping antioxidant levels in your body higher than the amount of free radicals present is crucial to disease prevention. Antioxidants may also enhance the immune system and lower the risk of infection and cancers. Studies show that nutritional supplements enhance the diet and fill in gaps when nutrition is less than perfect. It appears that multiple antioxidant vitamin supplements, coupled with diet and lifestyle modifications can improve the efficacy of standard and experimental cancer therapies.
Antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and repair damage done by repairing and preventing damage done by free radicals. Antioxidants protect our bodies from the free-radicals exposed to in the environment and that are produced as a by-product of metabolism. Over time exposure to harmful free radicals can damage cellular health and may contribute to the aging process. Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, macular degeneration along with other degenerative diseases are all affected by oxidative damage.
Antioxidants are synergistic and we need a combination of antioxidant rich foods to get the most benefit! A nutrition plan that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts can supply antioxidants your body needs.
Examples of antioxidants in foods:
Tomatoes – Cartenoids, Beta-Carotene, Lycopene, phenolic acids, potassium.
Onion – Flavenoids, organosulfers, allicin, diallyl disulfide, quercitin.
Garlic – Saponins, organosulfurs, allicin, quercitin, diallyl disulfide.
Carrots – Cartenoids, beta-carotene, lycopene, phenolic acids.
Kidney Beans – Saponins, phytosterols.
Keeping antioxidant levels in your body higher than the amount of free radicals present is crucial to disease prevention. Antioxidants may also enhance the immune system and lower the risk of infection and cancers. Studies show that nutritional supplements enhance the diet and fill in gaps when nutrition is less than perfect. It appears that multiple antioxidant vitamin supplements, coupled with diet and lifestyle modifications can improve the efficacy of standard and experimental cancer therapies.
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