Antioxidants and Free Radicals Defined

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Eat foods high in antioxidants to avoid free radicals. These are terms we often hear in connection with good health- So what does that all mean? This is going to require a bit of a chemistry lesson, but I’ll make it has simple as possible.

We’re going to start with oxidation. Oxygen is a good oxidizing agent…in other words it can be caustic. Look at the rusting of iron. Here a solid metal is turned into a flaky, corroded material. Obviously we need oxygen to live, but in high concentrations it is toxic to living things.

Oxidation is the term used for the process of removing electrons from an atom or molecule. When this happens molecules can be shredded and rendered defenseless.

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs.

Normal metabolic processes like energy production, efforts to detoxify, and mechanisms which stimulate our immune defenses create free radicals. Thus there is a constant production of free radicals in the normal course of metabolism, but add in whatever pressures come from the environment (toxins in our air, food and water) and you have what scientists call oxidative stress. Fortunately living systems have defenses against this in order to be protected from damage.

Antioxidants are our defense system against free radical damage to our bodies. They are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. The last thing a free radical wants to meet while going about its destructive activities inside our body is an antioxidant.

Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage -- the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases.

Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that hunt out free radicals, the principle antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Additionally, selenium, a trace metal is sometimes included in this category. The body cannot manufacture these micronutrients so they must be supplied in the diet.

Many free radicals are a part of a healthy cellular process. However, environmental conditions and choices that an individual make can dramatically alter free radical activity. Smoking, alcohol, fried foods, solvents, formaldehyde, pesticides and air pollution greatly deplete our micronutrient defenses like vitamin C and beta-carotene.

The stress free radicals puts on our system is theorized to be what causes aging.

Antioxidants are thought to slow down the aging process. They are also known to be effective against cancer, heart disease, and other degenerative diseases. For more on what foods we can eat to protect ourselves, read our article on super foods.

Vitamin E : d-alpha tocopherol. A fat soluble vitamin present in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains (esp. wheat germ), fortified cereals, and apricots. Current recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 15 IU per day for men and 12 IU per day for women.

Vitamin C : Ascorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi, and strawberries. The RDA is 60 mg per day. Intake above 2000 mg may be associated with adverse side effects in some individuals.

Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A (retinol) and is present in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains. Because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A by the body there is no set requirement. Instead the RDA is expressed as retinol equivalents (RE), to clarify the relationship. (NOTE: Vitamin A has no antioxidant properties and can be quite toxic when taken in excess.)

Preventing cancer and heart disease

Epidemiologic observations show lower cancer rates in people whose diets are rich in fruits and vegetables. This has lead to the theory that these diets contain substances which protect against the development of cancer. There is currently intense scientific investigation into this topic.

While antioxidants are thought to have a role in slowing the aging process and preventing heart disease and strokes, the data is still inconclusive. Therefore from a public health perspective it is premature to make recommendations regarding supplements and disease prevention. New data from ongoing studies will be available in the next few years and will shed more light on this constantly evolving area. Perhaps the best advice, which comes from several authorities in cancer prevention, is to eat 5 servings of fruit or vegetables per day.

For more on antioxidants, visit: Cleanse-Yourself-Lose-Weight.com

Green Tea Super anti-Oxidant from Kalyx.com Gourmet Traditional & Herbal Teas

Kalyx.com: Herbs, Foods, Supplements, Bath & Body NutriCology Antioxidant Capsules

Formulated by Stephen A. Levine, Ph.D., this product set the industry standard for antioxidant formulations. It provides key antioxidant nutrients, in combination with the minerals necessary for the key antioxidant enzymes, as well as the B vitamins that act as cofactors to help support and "recharge" the antioxidant defenses. Original AntiOx may have a strong odor due to the sulfur amino acid L-cysteine.

Kalyx.com: Herbs, Foods, Supplements, Bath & Body

It’s a fact – antioxidants are imperative to the elimination of oxidation. Without them, we may leave our system wide open to illness, become prone to infection, feel sluggish and age faster than we should. NOW Antioxidant Caps are bursting with an effective collaboration of vitamins, minerals and nutrients arranged specifically to neutralize free radicals before they take their toll on the body. Coupled with a healthy diet, NOW Antioxidant Caps are sure to be a welcome addition to your quest for good health and wellness. Made in the USA

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Preventing cancer and heart disease

Antioxidants & Our Defense Against Free Radicals