The body is flooded with toxic substances each and every day. Each one of these substances can wreak havoc on the normal functions of the immune system. These substances, called free radicals, enter the body or are by-products of normal bodily functions. Antioxidants, which act as free-radical scavengers, are responsible for neutralizing the free radicals in order to protect the body.
Recent studies have focused primarily on antioxidant supplements and their ability to protect against certain conditions. Among these conditions are cancer, heart disease, arthritis, allergies, and aging. Some important antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. The process that potentially leads to disease and cellular damage is known as free-radical damage. Antioxidants are useful in that they help to block the free radical damage and stimulate a response from the immune system. Antioxidants block this damage by neutralizing free radicals before they are able to cause damage.
Free radicals are molecules that are incomplete because they lack an electron, which puts them out of balance. However, free radicals do not stay in this state very long. Instead, they react with other compounds very quickly. Because they are highly-reactive, they often cause more free-radical reactions that are capable of doing cellular damage, which leads to disease. Every single free radical can cause damage to a molecule or even an entire cell. They damage the cells by damaging the cell membrane. Because of this, they are now believed to be responsible for a variety of degenerative diseases.
Free radicals can come from the environment in the form of cigarette smoke, pollution, sunlight, radiation, X-rays, and chemicals. They can also be ingested with the food we eat and drink. However, the majority of free radicals are produced within the body as a result of normal metabolic processes. In fact, the oxygen molecule is the greatest source of free-radical damage. Oxygen, which is known for its ability to sustain life, is also responsible for the destruction of cells because of its ability to oxidize molecules in the body, which leads to free-radical damage.
Since we do not live in a perfect world, it is more than likely that we will ingest some pollutants in the normal cycle of a day. The chemical toxins, pollutants, and pesticides are easily found in the food we eat. Even the water that is used in irrigation and the air that we breathe house some pollutants. For this reason, it is essential that we eat a diet rich in antioxidants and also take supplements to ensure that we get the optimum protection that the body needs to defend itself.
A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a place to start. Every diet should include carrots, sweet potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, spinach, broccoli, apricots, peaches, tomatoes, oranges, strawberries, green peppers, grapefruit, nectarines, and melons, as they contain nutrients that are full of antioxidants and can help the body to fight free-radical damage and prevent disease. It may also be necessary to supplement the diet with essential antioxidants to provide optimum health benefits. For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by antioxidants, please feel free to consult a representative from your local health food store with questions.
Recent studies have focused primarily on antioxidant supplements and their ability to protect against certain conditions. Among these conditions are cancer, heart disease, arthritis, allergies, and aging. Some important antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. The process that potentially leads to disease and cellular damage is known as free-radical damage. Antioxidants are useful in that they help to block the free radical damage and stimulate a response from the immune system. Antioxidants block this damage by neutralizing free radicals before they are able to cause damage.
Free radicals are molecules that are incomplete because they lack an electron, which puts them out of balance. However, free radicals do not stay in this state very long. Instead, they react with other compounds very quickly. Because they are highly-reactive, they often cause more free-radical reactions that are capable of doing cellular damage, which leads to disease. Every single free radical can cause damage to a molecule or even an entire cell. They damage the cells by damaging the cell membrane. Because of this, they are now believed to be responsible for a variety of degenerative diseases.
Free radicals can come from the environment in the form of cigarette smoke, pollution, sunlight, radiation, X-rays, and chemicals. They can also be ingested with the food we eat and drink. However, the majority of free radicals are produced within the body as a result of normal metabolic processes. In fact, the oxygen molecule is the greatest source of free-radical damage. Oxygen, which is known for its ability to sustain life, is also responsible for the destruction of cells because of its ability to oxidize molecules in the body, which leads to free-radical damage.
Since we do not live in a perfect world, it is more than likely that we will ingest some pollutants in the normal cycle of a day. The chemical toxins, pollutants, and pesticides are easily found in the food we eat. Even the water that is used in irrigation and the air that we breathe house some pollutants. For this reason, it is essential that we eat a diet rich in antioxidants and also take supplements to ensure that we get the optimum protection that the body needs to defend itself.
A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a place to start. Every diet should include carrots, sweet potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, spinach, broccoli, apricots, peaches, tomatoes, oranges, strawberries, green peppers, grapefruit, nectarines, and melons, as they contain nutrients that are full of antioxidants and can help the body to fight free-radical damage and prevent disease. It may also be necessary to supplement the diet with essential antioxidants to provide optimum health benefits. For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by antioxidants, please feel free to consult a representative from your local health food store with questions.
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