Antioxidants -Fighting Free Radicals
Talk
of Antioxidants Everywhere
It seems like you hear about
antioxidants every where you go.
I see that word on labels all over the grocery store, even on makeup and it is
talked about on TV quite frequently. Dr. Oz and The Doctors have emphasized the
importance of an antioxidant to live a healthier life and how each one helps
prevent disease.
The
Way it Works
When we breathe in oxygen and it
combines with our red blood cells (RBCs).
Sometimes these oxygen molecules are hit by radiation and they break apart.
The result is a singlet oxygen which only has one of its electrons remaining.
Oxygen is not stable in this form and attempts to steal an electron away from a
nearby molecule or donate its remaining electron to a nearby molecule. They
have a charge on them due to an excess or deficient number of electrons. They
try to scavenge or donate electrons to surrounding tissues which can in turn
damage the tissue. If DNA is involved, the problem intensifies and genetic
cell mutations may occur which is one theory as to the cause of cancer. They
can change the DNA, sometimes permanently. Free radicals may even play a bigger
role in the formation of cancerous cells by a “chain-reaction” effect, causing
other cells to become damaged.
Action
of Antioxidants and Free Racicals
source sciencedaily
Free
Radical Exposure
Free radicals are not only produced
inside out bodies, but they are also ingested through smoking, eating certain
food, air pollution, x-rays, extended exposure to the sun and a variety of
other poisons we are exposed to in our environment. Blood vessel damage that leads to heart disease with plague
buildup is thought to occur due to free radicals. Cancer, some degenerative eye
damage, old age and other inflammatory diseases are believed to be byproducts
of oxidation.
Apple
source Flickr
How
Antioxidants Work
Antioxidants, just as the name
implies, are able to block this process.
Typically when we think of oxidation we think of rust, but this same process
happens in our bodies. Think how an apple looks if you cut it in half and let
it sit for a while. It turns brown, but if you cut it, then soak it in orange
juice for several minutes it won’t turn brown, due to the vitamin C in the
orange juice. In the same way vitamin C protects your skin.
Fruits and Vegetables with Antioxidants
Some of the more important sources of antioxidants which block the process
are beans, blueberries, cranberries, pecans and broccoli, but there are many
others as well.
- Beans contain phenolic which have13,000 units of this antioxidant power that is measured in food groups, It lowers blood sugar and reduces your risk of cancer.
- Ellagic acid is found in red foods, such as pomegranates, strawberries and raspberries.
- Anthocyanin is found in the deep purple and dark blue foods. Anthocyanin fights heart disease by sucking cholesterol out of the plague. It is in red wine (concentrated), blue berries, purple potatoes, black currents.
- Vitamins A, C & E antioxidants are found in yellow and orange vegetables and fruit.
- Retinol (vitamin A) is found in apricots, cantaloupe, lemons and oranges.
- Vitamin E protects you from the suns radiation.
- Green colored food found in the cruciferous vegetables have Indo 3 Carbinol , which has very potent breast cancer fighting abilities. They destroy free radicals primarily in liver. Some of these vegetables are broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower. You should eat 2 servings per week minimally.
Radishes
source vegetablefarms
Blood flows in blood vessels giving
off a little gas called nitrates. Beets and beet juice has a high nitrate
content. A research study at Queen May
University of London concluded that beets help lower high blood pressure, thus
reducing the inflammation causing heart disease and they fight cancer cells
from forming and prospering.
Beets may also helps you lose weight
as 1/2 cup has 37 calories, 0 fat, little higher in sugar but increased fiber.
Besides losing weight, beets will help your sex life as it revs up your
libido. Beets also may fight off dementia in the frontal lobe. The greens of beets
are also good for juicing. They boost your endurance and cyclist use them
before bike riding
Lemons
Lemons are good for digestion and a
great natural acid, vitamin C fights of H pyloric which causes stomach ulcers,
and it also helps with constipation
Try this drink: 1 c water, 1/4 lemon
juice, 1 tsp flax seed for stomach disorders and constipation.
To exfoliate your skin use 1 cup milk, 2 tsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp brandy. Paint
it on your face for several minutes, then rinse off.
Foods
in Combination
There are some food combination that
give you more energy.
- Chick peas (iron hard to absorb) and red pepper (vitamin C) helps absorb the peas.
- To improve your mood, eat eggs and broccoli which is a good source of calcium.
- Reduce the calories of pasta by using balsamic vinegar (ascetic acid and slows down glucose and starch pasta) and it slashes the blood sugar by 20%
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