Free radicals are unstable chemicals formed in the body during normal metabolism or exposure to environmental toxins such as air, food & water pollution. Free radicals help our bodies to generate energy & fight infections, but a lot of free radicals generated will start to attack healthy cells causing them to age prematurely. The action of rust is probably the best analogy of how excess free radicals work in our body.
Free radicals are produced when our cells generate energy & when they are exposed to pollutants or toxins such as cigarette smoke, alcohol or pesticides. If allowed to go unquenched, free radicals can cause damage to the body's cells. The cells that line the arteries, the fat cells in the blood, the immune cells & so on can all be affected by free radicals. & because of this, free radical damage (or oxidation) has been linked to the formation of every degenerative disease known including cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataracts & the ageing routine itself.
How Antioxidants May Prevent Against Free Radical Damage
The vitamins C & E, are thought to protect the body against the destructive effects of free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrients themselves don’t become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form. They act as a scavenger, helping to prevent cell & tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage & disease.
Vitamin E - The most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body. One of the most efficient chain-breaking antioxidants available. Primary defender against oxidation.
Vitamin C - The most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in the body. Acts primarily in cellular liquid. Combating free-radical formation caused by pollution & cigarette smoke. Also helps return vitamin E to its active form.
Eating Fruits and Vegetables.
The antioxidants are believed to help protect the body from free-radical damage. But before you go out & stock your pantry with mega-doses of these vitamins, be warned: more is not always better. The long-term effect of large doses of these nutrients has not been proven. Other chemicals & substances found in natural sources of antioxidants may also be responsible for the beneficial effects. So for now, the best way to ensure adequate intake of the antioxidant nutrients is through a balanced diet consisting of 5-8 servings of fruits & vegetables per day.
Fruit that has antioxidant include:
- Pomegranate contains a very high level of polyphenols and other free radical-fighting agents.
- Prunes have a good source of fiber and contain nutrient–rich fruit with multiple health benefits. Prunes may help in slowing the aging process in both body and brain.
- Purple Grapes loaded with natural antioxidants can help prevent forming of free radicals. Research has shown that drinking grape juice can prevent heart disease and cancer.
- Camu-camu or Myciaria dubia, is an antioxidant fruits which has a purple-skinned fruit. It has a highest recorded amount of natural vitamin C. It also contains full complement of minerals and amino acids that can aid in the absorption of vitamin C.
By Ang.E.H
Does not like to eat fruit, here is another alternative way of in-taking antioxidant.
http://tinyurl.com/pj3948
