ANTIOXIDANTS: THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

 What are antioxidants?

            Antioxidants are natural compounds known to protect the body’s tissues against oxidative stress, illness, and the premature aging caused by free radical damage.

What are free radicals?

            A free radical is an atom that contains at least one unpaired negative-charged electron.  The free radical seeks to bond with something, stealing an electron to complete itself.  In so doing it creates another free radical, leaving behind a trail of damage.  This damage leads to premature aging and may be a contributing cause to cancer.  Free radicals are created by exposure to radiation, the sun or medical x-rays.  Environmental pollutants such as tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust, pesticides, solvents, formaldehyde, and everyday chemicals expose us to free radical damage.  Medical drugs, chemotherapy, and anesthetics also contribute to free radical oxidation.  In the diet, high temperature cooking of fats creates large numbers of free radicals.  Processed foods, additives, and alcohol also contribute to the problem.

How do antioxidants work?

            Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by binding to their free electrons and ending the chain of damage.  Antioxidants work synergistically, so it is better to take a blend of different ones rather than a huge dose of only one kind.  Variety is key!

Where do I find antioxidants?

            They are abundant in many fruits and vegetables.  Most berries and deep colored fruits are excellent sources.  The number one fruit to eat is the American blueberry, which a relative of the European bilberry and similar in antioxidant properties.  The bilberry provides 50X the antioxidant protection of Vitamin E and 10X the protection of Vitamin C.  The second fruit of choice for antioxidant value is the apple.  Apples may inhibit cancer, increase cell proliferation, decrease fat oxidation, and lower cholesterol.  Also, adding 4 cups of green tea to your daily diet, may provide additional cancer protection.  Turmeric (curcumin) also prevents the formation of free radicals and neutralizes them.  Turmeric stops pre-cancerous changes in the DNA and interferes with the enzyme action leading to the progression of cancer.  Turmeric is more than 5X as powerful as Vitamin E as an antioxidant.  

            Do you want to be healthy and stay young?  Add a variety of antioxidants to your diet and in supplemental form to protect yourself from free radical damage.