Cholesterol is not a life threatening toxin, but a medium-sized molecule that is really a building block for important parts of the body. Cholesterol is also the forerunner of important hormones such as the female sex hormone, oestradiol, and the male sex hormone, testosterone, and of vitamin D, which we need in order to utilize calcium and form bone. Cholesterol is carried in the blood as part of particles called lipoproteins. In fact, cholesterol is being transported to tissues as part of an inflammatory response that is there to repair damage.
Cholesterol isn’t part of the problem, its part of the solution to a different problem. Cholesterol is actually saving the lives of people, because cholesterol is a bandage, a waterproof bandage that the body has designed. Cholesterol is actually an interim lifesaver, giving the body time to recover from its problems. For people under the age of 50, high blood cholesterol may be indicative of a problem, but if you recall its role as an antioxidant, and a substance used in repair of the body, you may wonder if this highered level is an attempt to protect the body from such things as damage to the arterial walls.
If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, a lot can collect in the blood vessel walls, causing these "pipes" to become narrower. Avoid foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat, all of which increase cholesterol levels and your risk of developing heart disease. Before you start chomping on those cheese fries or that greasy burger, you might want to take a closer look at whether you're getting too much cholesterol. Actually, your body produces enough cholesterol so that if you never touched another cheese fry, you'd be OK. Although most teens won't need to take medication to lower their cholesterol, it's still important to keep cholesterol in check.
The natural antioxidants in Oat Bran can significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels by suppressing the adhesive molecules which make blood cells stick to artery walls, researchers reported. When, instead, you consume lots of 'naked' oils stripped from seeds, your cellular membranes become increasingly unsaturated and less protected by antioxidants. Eating a variety of antioxidant-rich foods, on a daily basis, is your best strategy for harnessing the disease-fighting antioxidant potential of the mighty plant kingdom.
A high cholesterol is not dangerous by itself, but may reflect an unhealthy condition, or it may be totally innocent. Importantly, while many cardiologists insist that lowering cholesterol is correlated with a reduction in the risk of heart attacks; few can say that there is a reduction in the risk of mortality (death). However, the bottom line is that a high level of plasma cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease and strokes.
Selenium is a type of trace mineral which supports healthy activity within your immune system, functions as an important part of the potent antioxidant glutathione, and is necessary for good thyroid health. This formula uses SelenoPure high, yeast free selenium for ultimate immune support.
Selenium and Glutathione
Our bodies use Selenium to produce glutathione peroxidase, which is a part of the body's natural antioxidant defense system, manufactured in the liver. Some glutathione is released into the bloodstream, where it helps to maintain the integrity of red blood cells while protecting your immune systems white blood cells and contributing to the body’s natural defense.
Research Suggests that Selenium Supports Immune Health
Selenium is a requirement for a well-functioning immune system, and in a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers investigated the effects of beta-carotene and selenium supplementation in patients who had deficiencies of selenium and vitamin A.
The researchers concluded that glutathione plays an important role in the natural enzymatic defense system in detoxifying hydrogen peroxide in water, therefore selenium supplementation could be of great interest in protecting cells against oxidative stress.
Green tea contains many beneficial nutrients and compounds, one example is the antioxidant. Green tea contains four primary polyphenols and these give rise to the green tea antioxidant. In recent studies these powerful antioxidants have been shown to fight viruses, slow aging and have an overall beneficial effect on a persons general health.
Catechins which is a part of the four primary polyphenols has been shown in recent clinical tests to destroy free radicals which has far reaching effects for the body. If left, free radicals could damage the body at the cellular level which leaves the body susceptible to cancer, heart disease and degenerative diseases.
About the Green Tea Antioxidant
The ability to protect the brain and fight against diseases such as Alzheimers has also been found to be a benefit of green tea antioxidants. A recent study shows this to be true since high doses of green teas ingredient EGCG reduces the formation of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain of mice that developed Alzheimers disease.
EGCG is a flavonoid type of antioxidants that is typically found in plants and has been connected with many health benefits, including protecting against cancer and heart disease. EGCG is an important antioxidant in green tea that is proven to be the most primary explanation for why green tea is beneficial to a persons health.
The polyphenols in green tea claim to also contain antioxidants that are more potent such as Vitamin C and E. EGCG is better at protecting the cells and genetic material, or DNA, from damage than Vitamin C by 100 times and Vitamin E by 25 times. The damage to cells and genetic materials has been linked to health problems such as cancer, heart disease and other potentially life threatening illnesses.
The antioxidants that are found in green tea are important to acknowledge and understand. You should also know the positive aspects you can get from the components of these antioxidants that help your health and well-being.
Antioxidants are becoming some of the most researched substances in health circles these days for good reason. They seem to be responsible for better quality of life, more energy, clearer skin, even tales of slowing the aging process. When free radicals and antioxidants are out of balance problems arise. Eating more dark-green, leafy vegetables, carrots, yellow and red fruits are strongly recommended. Some examples of antioxidant are Vitamins C, E, and Beta Carotene, to name just a few.
Some findings indicate that people who are low in antioxidants are more likely to develop arthritis and other diseases than those consuming higher amounts. Good sources of antioxidants are salmon, legumes, extra lean meat, leafy vegetables and colorful fruits.
Another important nutrient, the catechin shows they work well together with antioxidants, have fat burning and antibacterial qualities. In nature there are always numerous nutrients working together, and we are just scratching the surface deciphering those combinations. One thing is certain, you can never get too much of a good thing when it comes to antioxidants.
Supplements Are Necessary
Many dietary authorities agree we need to supplement with antioxidants. CoQ10 is one vitamin like supplement manufactured naturally in your body, but it's never enough to combat the amount of free radicals you're exposed to every day. Because of this daily free radical load, your best defense is to take antioxidants as a supplement as your food doesn't provide enough.
Vitamin E has been an extremely popular antioxidant vitamin in recent years. Alpha-tocopherol is traditionally recognized as the most active form of vitamin E. It's a fat-soluble vitamin in eight forms which is a much more powerful combination compared to any single form of Vitamin E. Vitamin C is important for the function of the immune system, tissue repair, and is also an antioxidant. It has been found that vitamin C can reduce cold symptoms because of its antiviral and antioxidant effects. Vitamin A is an antioxidant necessary for good vision and has also been shown to have a protective effect against cancer.
The Powerful Antioxidant List
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is derived from plant or animal tissue. Proanthocyanidin, or OPC, is another powerful antioxidant.
Vitamin K was been approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in Japan in 1995.
Milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant for liver protection and body detoxification.
Green tea is the most powerful antioxidant beverage known today.
Olivus olive leaf tea is a good tasting tea with powerful antioxidant, anti-virus, anti- bacteria and anti- fungus properties.
The whole fruit puree of the Mangosteen fruit is a powerful natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Fermented Papaya is the new body antioxidant from Japan. Grape seed extract is another antioxidant that's easy to take.
With this list of powerful antioxidants you can choose one or more to suit your budget and taste.
Which One is Best ?
Of all the available antioxidants, Mangosteen seems to hold the most promise. Originally from South East Asia, Mangosteen is a highly revered botanical and the most expensive fruit at the market when it comes in season. It is used to combat numerous ailments by local Physicians and is the most prominent medicine in most Doctors kits there. Mangosteen can be found in a few health food stores but only one company makes the a puree with the whole fruit.
To get the full benefit from Mangosteen the juice must be made with the whole fruit, otherwise it's healing potential is about the same as apple juice. There is one nutrient in Mangosteen that is not available anywhere else, the Xanthone. Keep your eyes and ears open for that nutrient... Xanthone. You'll be hearing more about it soon enough.
More than likely you have heard the term "antioxidant" by now. However, do you know what it is, why you need it or how you get it ? Probably not. So, herein what you need to know about antioxidants will be explained.
The first thing that you need to know about in order to understand antioxidants is the process of oxidation. This is a fundamental and necessary biomechanical reaction. Not all forms of this process are helpful though. There are some that forms that happen at the wrong time and are thus disastrous to your health. However, antioxidants can be a big help in helping positive oxidation to occur so that you will have sustained, good health.
Antioxidants also play a key role in keeping the proteins in your cell membranes from being damaged. These proteins are large, complex and specialized molecules. They control the functions of important cell membranes, which are the basic defense system that lets nutrients in, sends waste products out and prevents entry of toxic and viral invaders. As such, they are actually responsible for immune responses. However, oxidation interferes with this process by splitting up the molecules and thus destroying it. Fatty acids can also be destroyed in this way.
It is important to understand that you can also come into contact with the oxidation process outside of your body. Sources for this include exposure to radiation, air pollution, synthetic hormones in food, pesticides, over-the-counter and prescription drugs and food additives. Of course, some of these things are things that you cannot easily avoid. This is why it is important to make sure that your body has plenty of antioxidants, which enable good oxidation to take place.
You can find antioxidants in really green, fast growing plants. This is because sunlight, which is a high-energy source, drives the photosynthesis process. In effect, photosynthesis is the opposite of oxidation. So, plants contain a large supply of antioxidants so that they can be protected from the dangers that sunlight can cause. It is these antioxidants that you will want to consume.
Some of the other great places wherein you can find antioxidants include immature barley and wheat grasses. Zinc also has a lot of antioxidant power, which is why it is used so much during the cold and flu season.
It is also a good idea to avoid partially hydrogenated foods whenever possible. This can be found in processed foods, air pollution and medications. A great way in which to counteract this is by drinking green tea, which has a lot of antioxidant power.
Furthermore, if all else fails, you can take specific vitamins so that you get more antioxidants. One of the best ones that I have found is Shaklee's Glucose Regulation Complex. This "food supplement," as Shaklee prefers to call their vitamins, contains both Zinc and antioxidants. As an added benefit, this is a good choice for diabetics who would like to get off of their glucose products. However, you should contact your doctor before starting it.
So, now that you understand just how important antioxidants are and where they can be found, you can start helping your body out by taking more of them. Here's to your good health!
Choose MaxGXL™ for maximum antioxidant protection. It is clinically proven to also provide these important benefits :
Dramatically Raise Your Energy Levels, Strengthen Your Immune System, Slow Down the Aging Process, Fight Inflammation, Improve Athletic Performance & Recovery and Detoxify Your Body.
According to the former president of the American Medical Association : "This product(MaxGXL™), in my opinion, represents the single most important breakthrough in health that I will witness in my life time. I believe it will revolutionize, change, and transform the practice of medicine world-wide and make Dr Robert Keller more famous than Jonas Salk who created the polio vaccine." -Dr. John C. Nelson, 159th President of the American Medical Association.
The body's most powerful anti-oxidant is one that the body produces itself. It is called Glutathione, which is a protein produced by every cell in your body. It is actually more effective than Vitamins C & E. Increasing your Glutathione levels is the smartest way to provide your body maximum antioxidant protection. MaxGXL's™ proprietary formula raises Glutathione levels within each cell, it also enables the liver to manufacture more, increasing the body's level of Glutathione.
Glutathione has been shown to slow down the aging process, detoxify and improve liver function, strengthen the immune system, and reduce the chances of developing cancer. Glutathione also works to help improve mental functions, increase energy, improve concentration, permit increased exercise, and improve heart and lung function - just to name a few.
The Consumers' Research Council has named the inventor of MaxGXL™, Dr. Robert Keller, MD, one of America's "Top Physicians in 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the fields of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Hematology.
Dr. Keller has served on the faculties of the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin (Marquette Univ.) He has published more than 100 original articles in various scientific and medical journals and has been awarded several patents. Dr Keller was elected to The Board of Governors of the American Academy of HIV medicine, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of several Biotech companies.
I’m sure by now you’ve heard all about the amazing health benefits of antioxidant rich foods in your diet. Not only do these free-radical fighting antioxidants help you look and feel younger by slowing down the aging process, but they also help to prevent cancer, heart disease, and loads of other degenerative diseases. But that’s not all. Antioxidants also help you to recover better from exercise and that means more muscle and less fat on your body in the long run!
The function that antioxidants play in aiding your recovery from exercise is the inhibition of free radicals produced during exercise. Any time you workout, free radicals are produced in the body that damage muscle tissue. Having an adequate supply of antioxidants about an hour or so before your workout can greatly reduce the muscle damage caused by free radicals, hence, improving your muscular recovery from exercise.
Some of the most potent sources of whole food antioxidants are berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries), cherries, acai fruit, various teas (green tea, white tea, black tea, and red tea - a.k.a. rooibos tea), nuts, seeds, red and black beans, purple potatoes, grapes, red wine, cinnamon, and dark chocolate or cocoa. Don’t be fooled by all of the intense marketing for expensive antioxidant supplement pills remember whole foods are always better for you (and cheaper) than a pill.
My favorite pre-workout antioxidant-loaded snack is a piece of whole grain toast with almond butter, a small amount of blackberry jam, and topped with a pile of fresh blueberries or sliced strawberries. I wash it down with a glass of iced green tea or rooibos tea sweetened with just a small bit (about a teaspoon) of raw honey. This is literally a quintuple-whammy of potent anti-oxidants! The almond butter, blackberry, blueberries, raw honey, and the green or rooibos tea are all loaded with different varieties of muscle protecting, youth promoting antioxidants. I throw down this snack about an hour before my training. Give it a try for yourself, or be creative and come up with your own antioxidant-rich pre-workout snack based on your tastes.
Remember, your body is continually bombarded every day by free radicals (creating oxidative stress) from exercise, air pollution, smoke, sun exposure, junk food, exposure to chemicals, etc. To reap the full benefits of antioxidants, try to make sure that every meal and snack you eat has at least one or two sources of antioxidant rich foods. This will give you a continuous supply of antioxidants throughout every day to prevent damage from the free radicals you are constantly exposed to.
Antioxidants are just one piece to the puzzle of a healthy diet that will give you the lean, muscular, youthful, and disease-free body that everyone wants. To discover the secrets behind all of the other pieces to the diet puzzle that create a lean body (macronutrient profile, glycemic response, hormonal response, glycogen storage, muscle protein synthesis, the role of leptin, the insulin process, etc.).
You know the old saying; "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" An apple is something that helps build internal health as it is a powerful antioxidant. That same antioxidant power can be applied to skin care as well. Antioxidants have been used for years with fantastic results for topical skin care. Today, it's rare for wholesome products not to be enriched with one or more health- and beauty-enhancing ingredients.
MULTI-VITAMIN HAS MULTI-POWER
Nearly two decades of scientific research indicates creams, lotions, and ointments containing vitamins and nutrients may help reduce wrinkles and protect skin against sun damage and maladies such as rosacea and exema. These ingredients, acting as antioxidants, fight oxygen-free radicals such as pollution, smoke, UV rays, and other harsh elements that damage DNA and cause skin to sag and lose elasticity.
Unlike supplements, which deploy only a portion of the vitamin's potency to the skin, vitamin-enriched products applied topically have a more direct, long-lasting effect. And, it is an effect today's clients are clamoring for-younger looking skin for longer: younger looking skin longer. To deliver what your clients seek, carefully evaluate the ingredients in the products you retail and your esthetician use in treatments. Here is what to look for.
WHAT THE LABEL TELLS YOU
Alpha Lipoic Acid ( ALA )
Products with ALA are ideal for treating people with clogged pores or acne. The antioxidant ALA , which is soluble in fat and water, and is easily absorbed. It helps reduce inflammations, minimize scars, and lessen the appearance of enlarged pores. ALA also increases cell metabolism and helps to repair skin damage, making it tremendously therapeutic for aging skin.
Deanol Bitartrate (DMAE)
DMAE, a strong anti-inflammatory nutrient that the body produces naturally, is hailed for diminishing the appearance of scars and improving the firmness and tone of muscles. When mixed with other nutrients and applied topically, DMAE can quickly and dramatically increase firmness and skin radiance. It also has the ability to store in the skin to provide lasting benefits.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A takes many forms. For example, retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, is the active ingredient in prescription Retin-A, and Renova, another derivative of vitamin A, is used to prevent [treat] acne and wrinkles. Today, many cosmetic companies are looking at incorporating another yet another derivative, Retinol, into nonprescription lotions. Regardless of the form, vitamin A causes the skin to exfoliate at a faster rate, a process that otherwise slows with age. Exfoliation brings fresher-looking skin to the surface and prevents pores from clogging, which could lead to acne. Using vitamin A increases sensitivity to the sun, however, so it is even more important to warn clients to be diligent about using sunscreen.
Vitamin C
Known for its ability to neutralize harmful free radical molecules, vitamin C protects skin against UVA and UVB rays. A six-month study conducted in France in 2001 found that C's fat-soluble form, vitamin C ester, might actually reverse skin damage. Researchers saw the participants' wrinkles diminish during the time they applied cream with vitamin C ester, also called ascorbyl palmitate. Additionally, vitamin C enhances skin's smoothness, creating a youthful glow.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, known for its anti-inflammatory and nurturing effects, is cropping up in more and more in balms, lotions, and salves. The fat-soluble vitamin, found in nuts, oils, and vegetables, moisturizes, smoothes, and softens skin. Recent research suggests that vitamin E applied topically, particularly in the form of alpha tocopherol, can smooth rough skin, diminish the length of facial lines, and lessen the depth of wrinkles. Using vitamin E may also reduce the risk of UV light-induced skin cancer, prompting it to be added to many sunscreens.
Scientists are learning more and more about how vitamins and nutrients can improve our well-being-inside and out. Recently, another antioxidant, Idebenone, has emerged on the beauty scene. The extremely powerful nutrient appears to fight cell damage related to aging and wrinkles. By putting these naturally occurring substances to work, estheticians have a more effective skin care tools to treat and improve clients' skin. And happy clients with great-looking skin are a great advertisement for you and your business.
You know the old saying; "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" An apple is something that helps build internal health as it is a powerful antioxidant. That same antioxidant power can be applied to skin care as well. Antioxidants have been used for years with fantastic results for topical skin care. Today, it's rare for wholesome products not to be enriched with one or more health- and beauty-enhancing ingredients.
MULTI-VITAMIN HAS MULTI-POWER
Nearly two decades of scientific research indicates creams, lotions, and ointments containing vitamins and nutrients may help reduce wrinkles and protect skin against sun damage and maladies such as rosacea and exema. These ingredients, acting as antioxidants, fight oxygen-free radicals such as pollution, smoke, UV rays, and other harsh elements that damage DNA and cause skin to sag and lose elasticity.
Unlike supplements, which deploy only a portion of the vitamin's potency to the skin, vitamin-enriched products applied topically have a more direct, long-lasting effect. And, it is an effect today's clients are clamoring for-younger looking skin for longer: younger looking skin longer. To deliver what your clients seek, carefully evaluate the ingredients in the products you retail and your esthetician use in treatments. Here is what to look for.
WHAT THE LABEL TELLS YOU
Alpha Lipoic Acid ( ALA )
Products with ALA are ideal for treating people with clogged pores or acne. The antioxidant ALA , which is soluble in fat and water, and is easily absorbed. It helps reduce inflammations, minimize scars, and lessen the appearance of enlarged pores. ALA also increases cell metabolism and helps to repair skin damage, making it tremendously therapeutic for aging skin.
Deanol Bitartrate (DMAE)
DMAE, a strong anti-inflammatory nutrient that the body produces naturally, is hailed for diminishing the appearance of scars and improving the firmness and tone of muscles. When mixed with other nutrients and applied topically, DMAE can quickly and dramatically increase firmness and skin radiance. It also has the ability to store in the skin to provide lasting benefits.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A takes many forms. For example, retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, is the active ingredient in prescription Retin-A, and Renova, another derivative of vitamin A, is used to prevent [treat] acne and wrinkles. Today, many cosmetic companies are looking at incorporating another yet another derivative, Retinol, into nonprescription lotions. Regardless of the form, vitamin A causes the skin to exfoliate at a faster rate, a process that otherwise slows with age. Exfoliation brings fresher-looking skin to the surface and prevents pores from clogging, which could lead to acne. Using vitamin A increases sensitivity to the sun, however, so it is even more important to warn clients to be diligent about using sunscreen.
Vitamin C
Known for its ability to neutralize harmful free radical molecules, vitamin C protects skin against UVA and UVB rays. A six-month study conducted in France in 2001 found that C's fat-soluble form, vitamin C ester, might actually reverse skin damage. Researchers saw the participants' wrinkles diminish during the time they applied cream with vitamin C ester, also called ascorbyl palmitate. Additionally, vitamin C enhances skin's smoothness, creating a youthful glow.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, known for its anti-inflammatory and nurturing effects, is cropping up in more and more in balms, lotions, and salves. The fat-soluble vitamin, found in nuts, oils, and vegetables, moisturizes, smoothes, and softens skin. Recent research suggests that vitamin E applied topically, particularly in the form of alpha tocopherol, can smooth rough skin, diminish the length of facial lines, and lessen the depth of wrinkles. Using vitamin E may also reduce the risk of UV light-induced skin cancer, prompting it to be added to many sunscreens.
Scientists are learning more and more about how vitamins and nutrients can improve our well-being-inside and out. Recently, another antioxidant, Idebenone, has emerged on the beauty scene. The extremely powerful nutrient appears to fight cell damage related to aging and wrinkles. By putting these naturally occurring substances to work, estheticians have a more effective skin care tools to treat and improve clients' skin. And happy clients with great-looking skin are a great advertisement for you and your business.
Wouldn’t we all like to age gracefully (if at all for that matter!) and ward off the wrinkly signs and ill symptoms for as long as possible. Keys to longevity may be more accessible than we think, and it appears our diets play a critical role. Antioxidants are the knights in shining armor that subjugate the attack of free radicals in the body, the hazardous molecules that damage cells and procure aging and disease. Though antioxidants are produced naturally in the body, these decline with age, hence an increasing need to acquire them from the foods in our diet.
Before examining antioxidants more closely, it is important to take a look at the free radicals they serve to neutralize.
Free Radicals
Free radicals are created as by-products in our use of oxygen during metabolism such as the burning of food for energy. They are essentially oxidant molecules that are missing an electron and seek to restore themselves by targeting nearby cells in an attempt to recover this electron, potentially harming enzymes, DNA, proteins and cell membranes in the process. This damage can mutate cells and alter cell function, increasing the risk of numerous diseases and chronic conditions including arthritis, diabetes, cataracts, cancer, heart disease and stroke. Free radical damage is implicated in the onset of aging and its degenerative symptoms and diseases.
As well as generated within the body, free radicals come from environmental sources such as pollution, radiation, unhealthy foods, bacteria, viruses, cigarette smoke and UV light.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants serve to mitigate the harmful effect of free radicals by giving up an electron and stabilizing them in the process. Although we produce many of our own antioxidants within the body, food provides an essential source for these key players of our defense system. Vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients all have antioxidant properties. The most common examples include vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc, carotenoids, flavonoids, co-enzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid and glutathione.
As there are many different types of free radicals in the body a variety of antioxidants are required to protect against them. Antioxidants function best as a team, with each other and other nutrients and phytochemicals, which is why incorporating a wide range of plant foods into your diet is recommended. Phytochemical groups such as flavonoids and carotenoids correspond to the colour, taste and smell attributes of plants, hence eating a rainbow array of vegetables and fruits can offer a diverse selection of these potent antioxidants.
Antioxidant Rich Foods
Foods especially high in antioxidants include berries, plums, pomegranates, oranges, spinach, green tea, avocado, kale, broccoli, peas, onions, grapes and pure chocolate.
Scientists at the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) have developed a rating scale that measures the total antioxidant capacity of a given food. This is known as the ORAC score (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity).
Of 40 common fruits and vegetables measured by the USDA, top ranking scores were those of prunes(5770), raisins (2830), blueberries (2400 – highest of all fresh foods with other berries close behind), kale (1770), spinach (1260), Brussels sprouts (980), plums (949), alfalfa sprouts (930), broccoli florets (890), beetroots (840), oranges (750 ), red peppers (710 ) and red grapes (739).
Pure cocoa surpasses all these foods with a whopping score of 26,00 units, more than 10 times the prestigious blueberry (though one is likely to eat far less in quantity). The extraordinary goji berry from Tibet also has outstanding antioxidant capacity with a score of 18,500 units; hardly surprising as they contain 500 times more vitamin C than oranges and even more beta-carotene than carrots!
According to studies on animals and human blood at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts in Boston, high-ORAC foods may slow aging processes in the body and brain. Results found that high ORAC foods such as blueberries and spinach could increase the antioxidant power of human blood by 10-25%, prevent loss of long-term memory and learning ability in middle-aged rats, and protect rat blood vessels against oxygen damage.
Antioxidants and Aging
As we age, free radical levels rise and yet the body falls short in producing necessary amounts of antioxidants to meet this challenge. For example, cells generate more of the oxidants hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, yet levels of the necessary antioxidant glutathione required to neutralise these decline. The Free Radical Theory of Aging, first proposed by Harman in 1954, is supported by cross-species examination of animals with regard to life span, free radical damage and antioxidant defence. For example, the white-footed mouse lives about twice as long as the house mouse (8 versus 4 years), and is found to generate less oxidants and have higher levels of antioxidants. As Beckman and Ames write in The Free Radical Theory of Ageing Matures (1998), ‘Together, interspecies comparisons of oxidative damage, antioxidant defences, and oxidant generation provide some of the most compelling evidence that oxidants are one of the most significant determinants of life span.’
Very recent evidence comes from a study on dogs at the University of Toronto by Dr. Dwight Tapp and colleagues who found that ‘old dogs that were on an antioxidant diet performed better on a variety of cognitive tests than dogs that were not on the diet. In fact, the dogs eating antioxidant-fortified foods performed as well as young animals’.
Additional research by Dr. Rabinovitch and his team, studying aging at the University of Washington, Seattle, found that mice engineered to produce high levels of an antioxidant enzyme (catalase) lived 20 per cent longer and had less heart and other age-related diseases than controls.
In light of the role free radicals play in the onset of aging and disease, it is important to ensure our diets include a rich and diverse supply of antioxidants. These protective agents can be found abundantly in vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds and are particularly high in superfoods.
More than likely you have heard the term "antioxidant" by now. However, do you know what it is, why you need it or how you get it ? Probably not. So, herein what you need to know about antioxidants will be explained.
The first thing that you need to know about in order to understand antioxidants is the process of oxidation. This is a fundamental and necessary biomechanical reaction. Not all forms of this process are helpful though. There are some that forms that happen at the wrong time and are thus disastrous to your health. However, antioxidants can be a big help in helping positive oxidation to occur so that you will have sustained, good health.
Antioxidants also play a key role in keeping the proteins in your cell membranes from being damaged. These proteins are large, complex and specialized molecules. They control the functions of important cell membranes, which are the basic defense system that lets nutrients in, sends waste products out and prevents entry of toxic and viral invaders. As such, they are actually responsible for immune responses. However, oxidation interferes with this process by splitting up the molecules and thus destroying it. Fatty acids can also be destroyed in this way.
It is important to understand that you can also come into contact with the oxidation process outside of your body. Sources for this include exposure to radiation, air pollution, synthetic hormones in food, pesticides, over-the-counter and prescription drugs and food additives. Of course, some of these things are things that you cannot easily avoid. This is why it is important to make sure that your body has plenty of antioxidants, which enable good oxidation to take place.
You can find antioxidants in really green, fast growing plants. This is because sunlight, which is a high-energy source, drives the photosynthesis process. In effect, photosynthesis is the opposite of oxidation. So, plants contain a large supply of antioxidants so that they can be protected from the dangers that sunlight can cause. It is these antioxidants that you will want to consume.
Some of the other great places wherein you can find antioxidants include immature barley and wheat grasses. Zinc also has a lot of antioxidant power, which is why it is used so much during the cold and flu season.
It is also a good idea to avoid partially hydrogenated foods whenever possible. This can be found in processed foods, air pollution and medications. A great way in which to counteract this is by drinking green tea, which has a lot of antioxidant power.
Furthermore, if all else fails, you can take specific vitamins so that you get more antioxidants. One of the best ones that I have found is Shaklee's Glucose Regulation Complex. This "food supplement," as Shaklee prefers to call their vitamins, contains both Zinc and antioxidants. As an added benefit, this is a good choice for diabetics who would like to get off of their glucose products. However, you should contact your doctor before starting it.
So, now that you understand just how important antioxidants are and where they can be found, you can start helping your body out by taking more of them. Here's to your good health!