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