Friday, December 3, 2010

What Are Antioxidants

Antioxidants are a group of naturally occurring compounds consisting of vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients that are formed by the body and acquired from a large variety of dietary foods. Antioxidants protect and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause the disruption of living cells. Antioxidants when consumed in combinations act synergistically, which tells us we should not take only one antioxidant as a food supplement. Placing too much emphasis on one particular antioxidant may cause the full beneficial effects of a healthy antioxidant combination to be missing from your body. A proper balance of antioxidants will generate significant health improvements for you.

Antioxidants can decrease harmful effects caused by environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and pesticides. These unhealthy conditions form free radicals, which are harmful to your living cells. Our bodies can normally handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are not present, damage to our cells can occur. Antioxidants act to help prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular destruction and disease.

There are specific foods and vitamins that are considered to be rich in health antioxidants. Vitamin C foods (berries, strawberries, orange, kiwi, kale, red/green/yellow peppers, snow peas and tomatoes) are found to be the most abundant water-soluble antioxidants in the body. They have the ability to combat most free radical formations caused by cigarette smoke or air pollution. Vitamin E foods (broccoli, red pepper, papaya, nuts and sunflower seeds) are known to be the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidants you can put in your body. And beta-carotene (carrots, asparagus, spinach, kale, mangoes, nectarines, apricots, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes).

Consuming antioxidants boosts your immune system, which allows us to fight off colds, flu, and other serious infections. Those healthy foods (fruits and vegetables) whose colors are purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow are rich in antioxidants. Other antioxidants that might help boost your immune system are Zinc (red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, and whole grains) and Selenium (tuna, beef poultry, fortified breads, and other grains) and they will provide a healthy antioxidant combination for you.

Have your own personal consultation about improving your health with antioxidants. Phone Talya Meldy at 310-391-2017 or email her at info@clearwayhealth.com.

Your health is only one bite away!!!

No comments: