| Why do we need to eat foods that are found to | | | | papaya, and strawberries. |
| be naturally high in antioxidants? | | | | |
| | | | It is important in forming collagen, a |
| What are antioxidants? | | | | protein that gives structure to bones, |
| | | | cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin |
| Which foods do we need to eat, in order to | | | | C also aids in the absorption of iron, and |
| naturally fight free radicals? | | | | helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth. |
| | | | |
| Scientists have found that the body forms | | | | Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene is a precursor |
| unstable oxygen molecules, called free | | | | to vitamin A. It is present in liver, egg |
| radicals; every cell produces tens of | | | | yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, |
| thousands of them each day. A free radical is | | | | broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, |
| basically an atom with an odd number of | | | | and grains. |
| electrons in its outer ring. Since electrons | | | | |
| have a very strong tendency to exist in a | | | | Studies have been done on beta-carotene's |
| paired rather than an unpaired state, free | | | | effectiveness for heart disease, cancer, |
| radicals indiscriminately pick up electrons | | | | chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer's |
| from other atoms, which in turn convert those | | | | disease, fibromyalgia, male infertility, and |
| other atoms into secondary free radicals, | | | | psoriasis. |
| thus setting up a chain reaction, which can | | | | |
| cause substantial biological damage. This, in | | | | Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 boosts energy, enhances |
| short, is bad. There are also many kinds of | | | | the immune system, and acts as an |
| free radicals, which we are exposed to | | | | antioxidant. A growing body of research |
| everyday, for example, pollution, radiation, | | | | suggests that coenzyme Q10 may help prevent |
| cigarette smoke and herbicides. | | | | or treat some of the following conditions: |
| | | | heart disease, high blood pressure, high |
| Antioxidants are thought to neutralise and | | | | cholesterol, diabetes, and others. Primary |
| stabilise these free radicals. | | | | dietary sources of CoQ10 include oily fish, |
| | | | organ meats such as liver, spinach, broccoli, |
| So, which antioxidants are naturally found in | | | | peanuts, wheat germ and whole grains. |
| which foods? | | | | |
| | | | Selenium: Selenium is a trace mineral that is |
| We have: | | | | essential to good health but required only in |
| | | | small amounts. It helps synthesize |
| Vitamin E: a fat-soluble vitamin found in | | | | antibodies; helps synthesize co-enzyme Q10and |
| vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, | | | | helps transport ions across cell membranes. |
| and fortified cereals. Some of the foods | | | | The best sources of selenium are Brazil nuts, |
| containing the highest amounts of vitamin E | | | | wheat germ, molasses, sunflower seeds, whole |
| are wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, | | | | wheat bread and dairy foods. |
| sunflower oil, hazelnuts, peanuts, spinach, | | | | |
| broccoli, kiwi and mango. | | | | You should note that there are many other |
| | | | antioxidants naturally found in foods. |
| Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin involved | | | | |
| in the metabolism of all cells. It protects | | | | You should also note that the best way to |
| vitamin A and essential fatty acids from | | | | take antioxidants is naturally, through |
| oxidation in the body cells and prevents | | | | fresh, vibrant food. |
| breakdown of body tissues. | | | | |
| | | | One more thing; sometimes less is more. Some |
| Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble | | | | of these antioxidants are only needed in |
| vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, | | | | small amounts, so check into whether you need |
| cabbage, green peppers, broccoli, spinach, | | | | to take more or not, before you start |
| tomato, kale, guava, cantaloupe, kiwi, | | | | overdosing on antioxidants! |