Antioxidants are needed to combat oxidants, or free radicals, within your body. Oxygen is obviously something that you cannot live without. However, some oxidant substances can actually harm you by damaging your cells and causing chronic conditions. One way to combat oxidants is by living a healthy lifestyle; the other way to combat it is to find sources of antioxidants.
A healthy lifestyle is one of the simplest ways to fight a multitude of issues. Depression, slow healing, illness, and severe medical conditions all jeopardize your quality of life. Some of it may be short term, but many times it is long term or short term but with frequent recurrences.
Living a life with proper nutrition and regular exercise can alleviate a lot of mental and physical conditions. Making health conscious choices can help reduce the risk of introducing free radicals from outside elements. Antioxidants not only help keep oxidants from attacking your healthy cells but they can help repair damaged cells as well.
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What Antioxidants Do Free radicals attack your cells and cause a chain reaction in your body. Over time, oxidants impair your DNA, your fat cells, and your protein cells. This breakdown of healthy cells can start out with a slow impact, such as causing your cells to age more rapidly, and l... more
Free radicals attack your cells and cause a chain reaction in your body. Over time, oxidants impair your DNA, your fat cells, and your protein cells. This breakdown of healthy cells can start out with a slow impact, such as causing your cells to age more rapidly, and later lead to serious consequences, such as cancer.
Other conditions, including arthritis and cataracts, have been linked to free radicals. Heart disease may also be directly related to the oxidation of your healthy cells. Anytime your cells undergo an attack, damage is done. How severe that damage is depends on a number of things, such as how often the cells are attacked and if they stand a chance of being repaired.
Antioxidants are an important factor in fighting free radicals. Antioxidants basically work by merging with the free radicals and negating, or at least reducing, their negative impact. Some antioxidants are also able to help repair some damaged cells, possibly reversing impending dangers.
You can add antioxidants to your diet naturally by eating certain foods that are known to be rich in antioxidants. It is believed that dark and leafy greens are the most antioxidant rich foods, so eating dark leafy salads, spinach, and collard greens are better for you than you may have realized.
Foods that are high in certain vitamins such as A, E, and C are also high in antioxidants. Beta carotene sources are also thought to be beneficial. The best way to eat these food sources is to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. The bolder and richer the color, the higher the antioxidant source is, so be sure to include vivid fruits and vegetables such as red tomatoes and orange peppers in your diet.
Fruit is usually consumed raw, but vegetables are frequently cooked. Cooking foods that are high in antioxidants is not recommended because it reduces the concentration of the antioxidant. Cooking the fruits or vegetables also makes it more difficult for your body to absorb the antioxidants.
Since not everyone has a healthy diet, it is possible to get antioxidant supplements. Of course, the best way to get your antioxidants is through natural food sources, but when that is not possible you should consult a physician about using supplements.
Antioxidant supplements are typically comprised of vitamins A (beta carotene), E, and C. However, a supplement cannot provide the same benefit as eating numerous fruits and vegetables. Eating a diet rich in variety provides many more types of vitamins, minerals, and resulting antioxidants.
The American Medical Association and other professional organizations do not believe antioxidant supplements are the single answer to cancer free health. There is no argument, however, that antioxidants do play a major role in fighting cancer causing free radicals and other conditions that are caused by oxidants.
Therefore, if you are unable to get a completely balanced diet on your own, many people argue that a supplement of antioxidants is better than not enough antioxidants at all. If you are concerned about your intake of antioxidants, consult a physician.
You can do a lot to avoid free radicals. Simply not getting too much direct exposure to the sun can help. Getting a lot of rest, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and reducing daily stress can all help to keep oxidation to a minimum.
Your body produces some antioxidant enzymes naturally, but it is also critical to supply your body with additional antioxidants, since some form of oxidation will occur in your body no matter what you do. Eat fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants and consider antioxidant supplements when needed. Use the supplement finder to locate the right additions to your healthy diet now!
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