Anti oxidants - Why Its a Must in Your Diet
While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is also
responsible for maximum damage to the human body as 'free
radicals'. Free radicals form when oxygen is metabolized or
burned by the body for its functions. Free radicals are also
produced through environmental pollution and cigarette smoke
Tens of thousands of them are formed everyday in the body. These
free radicals travel through the body causing immense damage to
the cell structures and causes chronic disease, anti aging as
well as other health problems including DNA mutations leading to
cancer.
Thankfully the answer to such destruction at the cellular level
is anti oxidants. The body produces anti oxidants as well as
they available through fruits and vegetables. Anti oxidants
scavenge free radicals; convert them to harmless substance
before they can cause damage to the cells and tissues of the
body.
Vitamin C beta carotenes and vitamin E are rich sources of anti
oxidants. While a balance diet rich in these vitamins are an
ideal source of natural anti oxidants they are also available as
nutritional supplements and have gained much popularity in the
past decade.
The efficacy of such anti oxidants remains questionable. Studies
have suggested that anti oxidants occurring naturally as in
fruits and vegetables have a far more protective effect than the
dietary supplements.
However what has been proven beyond doubt by research is that
anti oxidant intake does stave off degenerative diseases and
especially cancer. It also improves the overall health and
boosts immunity.
The best bet for improving your health dramatically is a complex
range of natural anti oxidants. Here is a list of anti oxidants
found in foods.
Vitamin C: All types of citrus fruits, kiwi, papaya,
strawberries and leafy green vegetables, broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower etc.
Vitamin E: Hard to find sufficient quantities of vitamin E from
diet alone. A good source is almonds. Take supplements derived
from natural sources.
Carotenoids: Beta carotenes are found in oranges, and vegetables
like carrots, apricots, beets, sweet potatoes are a good source.
Most of the red and green leef vegetables would have beta
carotenes.
Flavanoids: Found in whole lot of vegetables and fruits. Onions,
beets, citrus fruits and berries contain flavanoids. Green tea
is a good source.
Take 4 to 6 servings of these fruits and vegetables daily for
getting the complete range of anti oxidants and you can be sure
of keeping many of the degenerative diseases, cancer, blood
pressure and heart problems at bay. The icing on the cake is you
can look younger and beat the ageing of your skin and tissues.