Antioxidant Risks and Protection

Foods and supplements that are rich in antioxidant compounds are important elements of a healthy diet and of good health. Luckily it is not difficult to include foods rich in antioxidants in our daily diet because many of our favorite vegetables, fruits, nuts, and juices contain a healthy amount of antioxidant compounds.

Cells and Oxidation

During the metabolism process inside our body's cells, nutrients such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates combine with oxygen to produce the important compound ATP. The ATP is used by our cells as energy so that our muscles can do work. The oxidation process that produces the ATP also results in the formation of free radicals.

Our daily environment is also a source of free radicals. Air pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and herbicides, among many examples, contain oxidized particles that enter our cells after being inhaled into our lungs.

Free radicals are oxygen-based molecules that have unpaired electrons, which make them very prone to react with other molecules. Some free radicals are important in the body's defenses against bacteria, for example, but an overabundance of free radicals in the cells can lead to disease.

Because they have unpaired electrons, free radicals can cause a chain reaction in the cells that can lead to damage of cell membranes. Part of the natural process of aging is due to free radical damage. Further, as many as 50 diseases are caused in part by the damage created by free radicals. Arthritis, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes are among such diseases.

Antioxidant Protection

There are many compounds that can neutralize the harmful effects of oxidation and the production of free radicals. An antioxidant compound can bond with the free radical, creating a stable molecule, and prevent further damage from occurring.

Among the most effective antioxidants are the nutrients, vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium. Several other vitamins, minerals and enzymes are also antioxidants. Many of these compounds cannot be produced by our cells and must be ingested through the foods in our diet or through supplements.

A recent study in London indicated that when subjects consumed 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily that the risk of suffering a stroke was reduced by 25 percent. Other studies have also shown that a diet rich in antioxidant-containing foods can help to reduce the risk of many degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Further, such foods also seem to help to enhance the immune defense system and thereby lower the risk of contracting disease.

Vitamin A and carotenoids are found in such foods as carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peaches, and apricots. Vitamin C is easily found in citrus fruits such as oranges and limes, and in vegetables such as broccoli and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin E is abundant in nuts, seeds, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Selenium is found in fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, and chicken.

Fortunately, it is usually easy to include foods that are rich in antioxidant protection in our daily diets. Not only will such foods help to control the overabundance of free radicals in our cells, but meals rich in antioxidant compounds are delicious and easy to prepare.

Antioxidant Superfood 90 Caps Research has shown the potent natural antioxidants found in AntioxidantSuperfood help reduce free radicals and damaging effects. A daily intake of 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units, the standard for antioxidant value, is believed to significantly impact antioxidant activity. Special flavonoid compounds are provided by Xanthosteen, from the peel of Mangosteen fruit. Mangosteen contains the highest concentration of xanthones found in any fruit or plant known. Xanthones, from Mangosteen, are a powerful class of antioxidants that provide a high ORAC value and high antioxidant protection. AntioxidantSuperfood includes other powerful fruit phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds and anthocyanidins that provide natural antioxidant activity. BerryVinT contains various berry extracts, which provide antioxidant protection, while BioVin? is a full-spectrum grape extract providing important nutrients form all parts of the grape, including resveratrol and proanthocyanins. PomElla? is a premium pomegranate extract that exhibits potent antioxidant activity. This patent-pending extract is standardized for punicalagins, the main free-radical scavengers found in pomegranates. Helping to provide the full 5000 ORAC units as recommended by experts and the co-factors nature created, a full complement of high ORAC fruits and vegetables are included for complete, antioxidant protection.

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