Antioxidants Facts
Antioxidants are everywhere these days---supermarkets, health-food stores, 7-Elevens. They're in teas, pills, cereals and yogurt and claim to help give you a longer, healthier life by wiping out those nasty free radicals that are slowly destroying your body. Hype? Fad diet? Truth? Money-making scheme? A resounding yes to all of the above.
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Free radicals in the air
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Air is full of oxygen and free radicals. When we breathe, we are essentially introducing these elements to our bodies, which cause damage to our molecular structures due to the process of oxidation. Ever notice how an apple turns brown after you take a bite? This is similar to what happens to molecules in our body when they come in contact with free radicals. Obviously, breathing is not bad for you---but what you breathe will enhance the aging process. Your body also produces free radicals as part of normal cell function. Basically, free radicals are damaged/toxic molecules that are missing electrons---these free radicals will steal those electrons from healthy cells and thereby damage those cells, which ultimately causes the deterioration of your body as you grow older.
How antioxidants fight back
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Antioxidants help defuse those destructive free radicals; essentially, an antioxidant fights the process of oxidation. Antioxidants can protect the body by neutralizing oxygen and free radicals.
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Exercise and free radicals
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You introduce much more oxygen and free radicals into your body when you work out. Therefore, a healthy diet containing lots of antioxidants is an essential ingredient for proper exercise.
Take your vitamins
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If you don't feel you are getting enough antioxidants from the foods you eat---perhaps you're on the go too often to find time for a healthy meal---beta carotene, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E are high in antioxidants. You can also look for these essential vitamins and minerals in the foods you eat: ascorbic acid, di-alpha tocopherol, vitamin A, zinc, thiamine, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, PABA, BHT, COQ10, ginseng.
Foods loaded with antioxidants
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Fruits and vegetables are "numero uno" on this list. Dark-green, dark-yellow and orange vegetables are best. Fish, cereals and some dairy products are good, too. And green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants.
Prevent the oxidation of cholesterol
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Any food that has a congealing factor (read: fat) is destined to cause plaque to build up in your arteries. This happens when cholesterol is oxidized by free radicals, which causes the cholesterol to stick to your artery walls and build up over time. Blood that can't flow through your arteries freely will usually result in stroke and heart attack. You can help prevent this by keeping your body loaded with foods abundant in antioxidants.
Antioxidants for your skin and brain
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Your skin is especially vulnerable to damaging free radicals, which can cause wrinkles and sagging. Your brain is naturally low in the antioxidant department, so a healthy diet rich in antioxidants will aid in memory function and help keep your mind active as you age. Free radicals are the primary cause of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and cataracts. Antioxidants are abundant in foods that are inexpensive and easily accessible, which means you will never be alone in your quest to stay young and healthy.
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