ANTI-OXIDANTS

ANTI-OXIDANTS

ANTIOXIDANTS….Have you heard of this term and wondered why if at all they are good for you.  Well here it is in a nutshell.   Antioxidants are vitamins that kill free radicals in the blood stream before they can do damage to our cells. 

But wait; let me tell you about those darn free radicals.  Free radicals are in our blood stream and attack healthy cells in our bodies.  Once they have attacked a healthy cell, the healthy cell itself becomes unstable and unhealthy creating a continuous cycle of negative reactions.  Eventually the body begins to lose its ability to fight and disease can set in. 

Let’s take a look at the Causes and Symptoms of Free Radical Damage in the Body:

Causes of Free Radical Formation

• Oxygen
• Stress
• Pollution and Sun Damage
• Excessive Cardiovascular Exercising
• Smoking
• Poor, unhealthy Diet
• Alcohol
  

Diseases linked to Free Radical Damage

• Premature Aging
• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Cataracts
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Gum Disease
• Autoimmune diseases
• Lupus
• Crohn’s Disease
• Asthma
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Leukemia
• Skin Cancer / Cancer
• Alzheimer’s Dementia
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Diverticulitis
• Psoriasis
• Infertility
• Menstrual Disorders
• Endometriosis
  

Getting Back to the Importance of Antioxidants!

 Antioxidants are made naturally in the body but are also able to be consumed in our diet.  These antioxidants work hard in the body to break down the enemy; Free Radicals.  This simply means that more antioxidants mean less free radicals floating around harming your body.  And as you can see from the chart above, we all have free radicals in our bodies.  It is important to realize that regardless of how well you believe you eat, and how much you avoid the causes of free radical damage, you will never fully eliminate the free radicals. 

Looking for Foods with a High Antioxidant Value

 It’s quite simple, think of the word ACE.  Foods with high amounts of vitamins A, C, and E have great antioxidant value.  Selenium and Beta Carotene are also great Antioxidants.  You can find these in colourful fruit, vegetables and berries, but for your enjoyment here is a little guide to some of the best Antioxidant Foods. (Complements of The World’s Healthiest Foods by George Mateljan)

Apples	Apricots	Asparagus	Bell Peppers
Blueberries	Broccoli	Brussels sprouts	Cabbage
Canteloupe	Carrots	Cauliflower	Cayenne pepper
Collard greens	Cranberries	Figs	Grapefruits
Green beans	Green peas	Kale	Olives
Oranges	Parsley	Raspberries	Romaine Lettuce
Spinach	Strawberries	Sunflower seeds	Sweet potatoes
Swiss Chard	Tomatoes	Watermelon	Winter squash

Supplemental Sources of Antioxidants

 There are some great products on the market for supplementing with antioxidants, but try consuming the foods first.  It’s definitely best to consult a Holistic Nutritionist first to see your specific needs before delving into the world of supplements.