Antioxidants?

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Damage due to free radicals damage may lead to cancer. Antioxidants interact with and stabilise free radicals and may prevent some of the damage free radicals otherwise might cause. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A, and other substances.

Which foods are rich in antioxidants?

Fruits and vegetables provide a range of antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids and flavonoids. Fruits and vegetables that have comparatively high levels of antioxidants include apples, grapefruit, green grapes, oranges, peach, red plums, strawberries, beetroot, sprouts cauliflower, green cabbage, lettuce, onion, spinach and tomatoes. Antioxidants are abundant in other foods including nuts, grains and some meats, poultry and fish. Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in colour, including sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, pumpkin, and mangoes. Some green leafy vegetables including spinach, are also rich in beta-carotene Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetable, spinach etc. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, oranges, and other foods Selenium is a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient. However, it is a component of antioxidant enzymes. The amount of selenium in soil, which varies by region, determines the amount of selenium in the foods grown in that soil. Animals that eat grains or plants grown in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium in their muscle Vitamin A is found in three main forms: retinol (Vitamin A1), 3,4-didehydroretinol (Vitamin A2), and 3-hydroxy-retinol (Vitamin A3). Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid, and can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables and is also found in cereals, beef, poultry and fish Vitamin E, also known as alpha-tocopherol, is found in almonds, in many oils including wheat germ, safflower, corn and soybean oils, and also found in mangoes, nuts, broccoli and other foods

What are the uses?

Antioxidants help to reduce the risk of cancer, heart attack and stroke. Protection against heart disease: Deficiencies in Vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene have been linked to heart disease. All of these nutrients have antioxidant effects and other properties that may benefit the heart. Vitamin E: eating foods rich in natural vitamin E may be protective. Vitamin E may prevent blood clots and the formation of fatty plaques and cell proliferation on the walls of the arteries Vitamin C: Vitamin C appears to maintain blood vessel flexibility and to improve circulation in the arteries Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. Several important studies have demonstrated a link between deficiencies in the B vitamins folate, B6, and B12 and elevated blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid believed to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Both B12 and folate reduce homocysteine levels, and evidence is increasing that this effect may protect the heart. Vitamin B3. Niacin (vitamin B3) is used for lowering unhealthy cholesterol levels Carotenoids and heart protection: a high intake of fruits and vegetables containing beta carotene, lycopene, and other carotenoids may reduce the risk of heart attack Phytochemicals and heart protection: Flavonoids, particularly those found in both black and green tea, onions, red wine or red grape juice, and apples, may protect against damage done by cholesterol and help prevent blood clots

Protection against stroke:

·  Vitamin C. There is a lower risk for stroke in subjects with the highest blood levels of vitamin C. Studies have found protection in foods rich in vitamin C, although supplements do not appear to offer any advantage. ·  B Vitamins: Vitamins B6, B12, and folate are important for the production of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain that regulate mood and concentration. Deficiencies in these vitamins have been observed in people with depression and dementia. People who have higher blood levels of folic acid have a lower than average risk for stroke ·  Carotenoids and stroke protection: Studies have reported a lower risk of stroke from carotenoids, including beta carotene and lycopene.

Protection against cancer:

Many fresh fruits and vegetables contain chemicals that may fight many cancers, including lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancers. Examples of important cancer-fighting foods include the following: Cruciferous vegetables (e.g., cabbage, sprouts, broccoli) Tomatoes (which contain lycopene) Carrots (which contain alpha and beta carotene) There is some evidence that antioxidants may enhance the anticancer effects of chemotherapy. Antioxidant nutrients that may have properties that may help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy include vitamins E and C, beta carotene, isoflavones found in soy, and quercetin (found in red wine and purple grape juice).

Vitamins and cancer protection.

Although supplements of vitamins A, C, and E appear to have no advantages, studies have reported an association between low blood levels of these antioxidant vitamins and a higher risk for cancer. Vitamin D. Some studies have suggested that certain vitamin D compounds may inhibit certain cancer cells, specifically prostate cancer, from proliferating. Folate and B12. These B vitamins helps prevent cells from becoming malignant. Folic acid supplements may provide some protection against cervical and colon cancer and may reduce the risk for breast cancer among women who regularly drink alcohol Carotenoids and cancer protection. A number of studies have reported that fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids are associated with protection against many cancers. Lycopene, found in tomatoes, may have particular value in protection against prostate, colon, lung, and bladder cancer. Protection against other diseases include: Alzheimer's Disease, asthma, eye disorders, skin disorders, wrinkles, osteoporosis, gall stones and menstrual disorders.

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Antioxidants Improve Your Quality of Life

Antioxidants Improve Your Quality of Life

What Are Antioxidants
... and Why Is Everyone Talking About Them?

Antioxidants are substances within many foods which help protect your body's cells from oxidative damage. These substances include carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals.

Oxygen: We need oxygen to live. It travels from the air we breathe to the lungs, where it attaches to our blood's hemoglobin and is carried by the bloodstream to every cell in the body. Oxygen helps our cells metabolize our food into energy.
Normally, the molecules in our cells have a full set of electrons, which keep them stable. But, when molecules come into contact with oxygen, they become oxidized, which means that they lose an electron. With the loss of this electron, the original molecule is then converted into an unstable type of molecule known as a free radical.

Free Radicals: A free radical is an atom, molecule, or compound that is highly unstable because of its mis-distribution of electrons. These unstable free radicals continually attempt to share the electrons of other molecules, atoms or even other individual electrons so they can once again, become a stable entity.

Immune System Process: Free radicals are produced naturally by the body from the breakdown of food. They are part of the immune process which protects us from diseases.
No matter our what our age, cells within our bodies oxidize. However, as we grow older, these oxidized cells are not replaced as quickly with healthy new cells. These damaged cells cannot perform their former work in the bloodstream as well as when they were healthy and stable.

Environmental Health Threats: The reason why people are concerned about free radicals is because our bodies are continually exposed to a growing number of outside agents such as chemicals, (herbicides, pesticides, plastics fumes, auto fumes, chlorination in our water), radiation (x-ray), tobacco smoke and increased stress, especially during our current economic downturn.
Speaking of chemicals, did you know that you should not microwave food in a plastic container because the heat can cause the plastic to let off fumes which can be absorbed into your food? Transfer your food to a glass dish before placing it into the microwave.
 

Dietary Threats: Too many unhealthy foods or alcoholic beverages can also create an excess of free radicals which the body must attempt to neutralize. 

Cell Damage: Excessive numbers of free radicals can cause cell damage. This can lead to pain, chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and even high blood pressure. 

Antioxidants, which can be found in natural foods such as fruits and vegetables, neutralize these excess free radicals by donating an extra electron to these molecules. This action once again, stabilizes the molecule and stops the oxidative damage that free radicals cause. 

ORAC Value: Food with the highest amounts of antioxidant "power" are said to be high in ORAC value. ORAC VALUE is a numerical system assigned to foods which have high anti-oxidative properties.
As we are continually barraged by an ever-increasing number of environmental chemicals and toxins, it is more difficult for our bodies to stay healthy and in equilibrium.
The body cannot store antioxidants in the same way that it stores nutrients or fat, so a constant replenishment is needed in order to keep our cells stable and balanced.
Different foods have different types of antioxidants. For example, berries have flavonoids which may help to improve the health of our arteries, while spinach has lutein, which may help macular degeneration.
Antioxidants also help reduce inflammation, help keep arteries flexible, and preserve the genetic (DNA) contained in every cell which helps to prevent cell mutation. 

Cell Protection:
The "Green Bags" which you see advertised on TV extend the life of produce such as bananas and tomatoes by absorbing and removing the ethylene gases that cause normal deterioration.





Antioxidizing foods work much like the Green Bags because they provide these excess free radicals the extra electron they need to restabilize the cells and prevent oxidation.
This oxidative damage has been linked to diseases such as autism, high Blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and many other diseases. 

How Can We Get More Antioxidants?
The choice is simple. We must either eat foods that contain them every day or choose supplements that help to provide their benefits.
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is your # 1 best way to get maximum health benefits.
However, if you are unable to raise your own food, try buying from a Farmer's Market where you can ask them if they use herbicides and pesticides. (Many do not.)
A balanced diet for children and adults should include 5-9 servings of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables each day.
Most antioxidant-foods are easy to spot in your supermarket's produce aisle. They have bright colors. 

     Antioxidants May Up Insulin Sensitivity