Antioxidants

You've probably heard too many facts about antioxidant benefits. If you keep up with the news or read health related magazines it's likely you're already aware that antioxidants are good for you. What you may not know is how they work and how to incorporate them into your diet. To understand the function of antioxidants it is helpful to first understand free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that have an oxidizing effect on the body. These molecules can damage healthy cells and are thought to have a link to certain diseases like cancer, heart disease and even cataracts. The oxidation caused by free radicals can be compared to how rust damages metal.


Unfortunately it is impossible to avoid free radicals. They are produced by normal chemical processes in the body. They can be produced by aerobic exercise, sun exposure, stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, pollution and many other sources. In some ways, free radicals can actually be helpful because they don't just damage healthy cells, they damage harmful germs as well. Free radicals in the body is a totally natural thing, but can be harmful when the level of free radicals gets out of control. Too many free radicals in the body can lead to cell damage which is what you want to avoid.

Antioxidants bind together with the free radical molecules, neutralizing them and reducing their harmful effects on healthy cells. In addition to rendering free radicals harmless, antioxidants can even assist in the repair of cells that have already been damaged. So, antioxidants serve two purposes. They neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals and they help repair sustained damage. Everyone needs antioxidants in their diet, unfortunately not everyone gets enough on a daily basis. Although the body does produce certain antioxidants naturally it is imperative to also consume antioxidant rich foods and beverages. You may also want to consider a supplement if you do not consume enough of these foods and beverages.

Antioxidant benefits can be obtained by consuming lots of produce. Broccoli, red peppers, carrots, kale, oranges and berries are just a few fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. Other sources include coffee and tea. White tea is the least processed type of tea which means it has the most antioxidants, with green tea coming in second. You can even get antioxidants from dark chocolate and red wine, when consumed in strict moderation. Now that you know the benefits of antioxidants, you may want to adjust your diet to make sure you are getting enough of them.



Antioxidants News:

Nutrition Notes: Could Mushrooms be Cancer-fighters? - Kansas City infoZine

Nutrition Notes: Could Mushrooms be Cancer-fighters?
Kansas City infoZine, MO - Nov 17, 2008
Mushrooms might also help prevent cancer by providing natural antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals (naturally occurring .
Busting Cancer Myths: Acidic Foods and Cancer Risks Kansas City infoZine
all 2 news articles
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Eating Healthy On A Budget - CBS News

CBS News

Eating Healthy On A Budget
CBS News, NY - 9 hours ago
Brown rice is a whole grain, high in manganese (energy production, antioxidant) and selenium (antioxidant, prevent colon cancer), as well as important B .
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Study could help kidney patients - BBC News

BBC News

Study could help kidney patients
BBC News, UK - 15 hours ago
The group found multi-vitamins produced an increase in folate levels and antioxidant enzymes which help the heart. They also found there was a reduction in .
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Ginkgo fails to prevent Alzheimer's in large study (AP via Yahoo! News)
The dietary supplement ginkgo, long promoted as an aid to memory, didn't help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the longest and largest test of the extract in older Americans. "We don't think it has a future as a powerful anti-dementia drug," said Dr. Steven DeKosky of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, who led the federally funded study...

Vitamin E (ThirdAge)
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights damaging natural substances known as free radicals. It works in lipids (fats and oils), which makes it complementary to vitamin C, which fights free radicals dissolved in water...

Goji berry can protect against skin cancer (New Kerala)
Melbourne, Nov 18 : A red-coloured tiny berry, which is known for its antioxidant qualities, can help protect against skin damage that leads to cancer, a new research has shown...

Antioxidants
Recently we have heard a lot about antioxidants. This is because everyday your body is attacked by chemical compounds, harmful substances and toxins that are called free radicals. Free radicals are what can cause damage to your normally ...

Curry Spice Curcumin And Parkinson's Disease? Protects Against A53T Alpha-synuclein-induced Toxicity (Medical News Today)
Johns Hopkins Researchers at Neuroscience 2008 - Curcumin, derived from the curry spice turmeric, has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Both oxidative damage - damage caused by oxygen - and inflammation have been implicated in nerve cell death associated with Parkinson's disease...

LifeVantage Corporation Announces 1Q FY 2009 Financial and . - FOXBusiness

LifeVantage Corporation Announces 1Q FY 2009 Financial and .
FOXBusiness - 1 hour ago
The study results also confirm that Protandim's synergistic formulation provides thousands of times more antioxidant power than any food or conventional .
Capital Corp of the West Reports Special Non-Cash Balance Sheet . MarketWatch
all 18 news articles
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Acai Roots Launches Exciting PROX and AX3 Juice Smoothie Line (PRWeb)
Acai Roots new shelf-stable PROX and AX3 juice smoothie line combines the health benefits of the antioxidant rich acai berry with natural plant sterols--the first smoothie of its kind to boast helping healthy cholesterol management. (PRWeb Nov 18, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/acai/smoothie/prweb1629934.htm..

Why It Is Important To Choose Foods High In Natural Antioxidants
Antioxidants are essential to ones overall health and well being. Antioxidants are phytochemicals, vitamins and other nutrients that protect the bodys cells from damage that is caused by free radicals. These free radicals are atoms or ...

Muscadine, Our Antioxidant Friend - Tampa Tribune

Muscadine, Our Antioxidant Friend
Tampa Tribune, FL - Nov 14, 2008
Many of these molecules are antioxidants that can prevent the oxidative stress in human cells that has been associated with stroke, cancer and coronary .
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Finding Foods High In Antioxidants
Finding Foods High In AntioxidantsBy Michelle BeryThe human body is made up of a complex system of cells that work together to enable a multitude of functions. When otherwise healthy cells are compromised by poor diet or environmental ...

Study shows vitamins C and E do not protect against cancer (Nanaimo Daily News)
Nearly 10 years of testing on thousands of doctors show two hugely popular vitamins don't prevent cancer. In the latest antioxidant letdown, researchers who followed nearly 15,000 male physicians found no evidence vitamin E or vitamin C supplements protect against cancer...

Get Your Antioxidants from the Grocer
For your consideration: according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association some supplements are worthless at fighting disease. These studies tend to come out before a big push to restrict the ...

Berry may protect against skin cancer (AAP via Yahoo!7 News)
A tiny red berry celebrated for its antioxidant qualities may also help protect against skin damage that leads to cancer, researchers believe...

Energy Enzyme CoQ10 - Natural News.com

Natural News.com

Energy Enzyme CoQ10
Natural News.com, AZ - 17 hours ago
(NaturalNews) CoEnzyme Q10 has been promoted as a supplement for supporting cardiovascular health and increasing energy as well as a potent antioxidant. .
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40 Easy Ways To Eat More Antioxidants
Check out your local farmers market or grocery store, where youll find fruits, vegetables, even treats, high in disease-fighting antioxidants. Get 40 easy, delicious ways to add more antioxidants to your diet. ...

Tiny red berry may stop skin cancer (Daily Telegraph)
A TINY red berry celebrated for its antioxidant qualities may also help protect against skin damage that leads to cancer, Sydney University researchers believe...

Acai Roots Launches Exciting PROX and AX3 Juice Smoothie Line (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
Acai Roots new shelf-stable PROX and AX3 juice smoothie line combines the health benefits of the antioxidant rich acai berry with natural plant sterols--the first smoothie of its kind to boast helping healthy cholesterol management...

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