Antioxidant Zone

What Are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules that reduce the damaging effects of oxidization in our bodies. At any time there are numerous processes going on inside us that need oxygen.

This oxygen however can cause cell damage which in time can lead to chronic disease. This is caused by what are known as free radicals which in turn are molecules that have either one too many or one less electron. The unpaired electron attaches itself to cellular molecules (as they must always fit into pairs), and can damage them unless prevented by antioxidants. We have antioxidants that we have absorbed in our bodies and these neutralize the damage and even repair cells that have been affected.
Additionally we absorb free radicals from pollution, including smoking and alcohol, as well as from exercise and sunlight. Free radicals also come from within our bodies as a result of breathing (hence exercise where breathing is accelerated) and the normal metabolism actions.

All these processes are perfectly natural and the principle means of obtaining antioxidants that neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals or oxidants, is through eating and drinking. Aside from the fuel food generates, one of the important goals of food is to provide us with the natural antioxidants we require. Hence the importance of antioxidant rich food, that in general can be defined as fresh greens, fruit, vegetables, fish and meat.

Antioxidants play a highly important role in prevention as cell damage can result in various chronic (continuous as opposed to acute) diseases. It is believed and many studies reflect this that antioxidants can play an important prevention part regarding cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke amongst others.

We cannot avoid free radicals acting in our bodies as this is a natural process and so damage to cells can occur. But when we feed our system with antioxidant rich food and take supplements we are in fact fortifying our natural defenses and strengthening our antioxidant system. As we grow older a percentage of our cells accumulate oxidants.

All this may sound very serious however this is a natural process that all mammals have, including us. With the increased amount of pollution we do have a higher degree of free radicals in our bodies than just a few generations ago. However the good news is that with a healthy diet, including fresh and naturally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as antioxidant supplements we do reduce the harmful effects of free radicals.

Which Antioxidants And In What Food?

1. Vitamin “A”: Carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots. Vegetables and fruits that are brightly colored.
2. Vitamin “C”: Oranges, grapefruit, lemon, lime and citrus fruit in general;, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries and tomatoes
3. Vitamin “E”: Nuts & seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and liver oil
4. Selenium:  From fish and sea food, eggs, red meat, chicken and good old garlic.