Rapid Fat Loss Diets

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Learn About Antioxidants And The Health Advantages Of Superfoods

By Beverly T Brooks

Food provides us with organically occurring antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body and the immune system from dangerous molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are unsound molecules that take place as a effect of oxidative processes such as the burning of sugars for energy, the release of digestive enzymes to break down food and the processing of environmental pollutants.

A "free radical" is a molecule or an atom that has at least one and maybe more unpaired electrons. This makes it very unstable and reactive to other atoms or groups of atoms and this can lead to an impediment of the cells capacity to function naturally. Free radicals can trigger cell damage, which can lead to the development of age-related conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease or other conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

Antioxidants work by matching up with the unpaired electron thereby neutralizing the free radical. Antioxidants can also prevent the oxidation in the first place. In this process of neutralization the antioxidant will become oxidized itself so therefore antioxidants need to be constantly replaced. Preventing impairment from oxidation is critical, however, preventing oxidation entirely is not viable because oxidation is a ordinary process of living and it cannot be avoided.

Some familiar antioxidants include vitamin A and Carotenoids found in orange fruits such as pumpkin, vitamin C found in citrus fruits, Vitamin E from nuts, seeds and whole grains, Selenium from fish, shellfish, red meat, eggs and chicken. Antioxidants also include various phytochemicals including Flavonoids and polyphenols, which can be found in soy, red wine, grapes, cranberries and tea. Lycopene from tomatoes and watermelon. Lutein from dark green vegetables like Kale, spinach and broccoli and Lignan, which is found in whole grains like oats and barley and also in flax seeds.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Glutathione are antioxidants that are akin to vitamins and the body also makes enzymes with antioxidant qualities called superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase.

Antioxidants are imperative to our bodies and our health. In the past few years many antioxidants have become accessible in the form of supplements. While some antioxidant supplements have proven to be fairly safe, for example vitamin C tablets, other antioxidants have proven to be destructive. No single antioxidant can defend the body and it is the synergy of nutrients that provides the value rather than the individual antioxidant.

By far the best way to get your antioxidants is through a healthy diet based upon vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and fish. It is suggested that we have at least 5 servings of produce a day, yet even more is favorable. Vegetables and fruits are low calorie, high-density nutrition so there is no worry of weight gain and it is not risky to get your antioxidants from food as opposed to supplements.

You can often convey the antioxidant level of a fruit based upon its color. The deep colors of nature supply the highest levels of antioxidants. So eat deep purple blueberries, bright red tomatoes, deep green kale and spinach, orange oranges and pumpkins. The more colors you eat the higher your antioxidant intake will be. - 17273

About the Author:

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home