Just like certain metals can rust if they get wet or are exposed to air too long, the inside of our bodies can also rust if we don’t have sufficient “antioxidants” to protect us from oxidation. Sounds strange, but, oxidation, brought on by a natural chemical reaction within our body, creates “free radicals”, which are bad guys.
To protect us from the damaging effects of rusting, nature developed antioxidants (“anti” or “against” oxidation), produced by our body and acquired through food, to stop this chain reaction that results in damage and death to cells. Antioxidants or free radical scavengers interfere with the oxidative process by offering themselves to the free radicals instead of having them decimate our cells. (Quite selfless, if I do say so myself!) Of course, that’s a very simple explanation that’s void of any intelligent science lingo, but it’s pretty much the bottom line.
Oxidation, which produces harmful free radicals can cause lots of health problems. Cells become damaged, no longer function properly, and eventually die off prematurely; however, not without causing us harm first. Many diseases, including heart disease and cancer, are directly tied to free radical activity… and so is aging! One popular and accepted theory on why those lines and wrinkles begin to show up in our thirties is because our bodies produce fewer antioxidants, and we’re not eating enough to handle the free radical load.
Normally, our bodies are designed to keep small amounts of free radicals under control, since they are naturally produced by many of the body’s biochemical processes, but with today’s increased pollution, the amount of free radicals lurking within our bodies is over the top. Caused by increased oxidative stress, free radical formation is accelerated by all types of pollution, particularly car exhaust fumes, radiation, cigarette smoke, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial and household chemicals like cleaning products, etc. Today, more than ever, our environments and the air we breathe are so toxic, we need to be on the defensive and protect ourselves by consuming adequate amounts of antioxidants.
There are lots of reasons it’s recommended we eat between 5 to 8 serving of fruits and vegetables a day and antioxidant content is one of them. These foods are high in antioxidants – especially the green and colorful ones. The more color a fruit or vegetable has, the more antioxidants, as well, which is why we always hear that blueberries and cranberries have some of the highest antioxidant values known. Allium veggies: garlic, onions, shallots and leeks, and cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and cabbage contain lots of free radical scavengers, too, and are recognized for their cancer fighting abilities. So, be sure to get your daily dose of disease and age fighting antioxidants by eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables!
But, what about those of us who would rather snack on potato chips than a carrot stick? Well, for you, or anyone else who thinks they could use some extra antioxidants, consider taking them in supplement form. There are countless, effective products that do the trick, which can be found in your local health food store and online.
Here’s a list of some of the most recognized antioxidant supplements on the market today. Some are oldies, some are newbies, but all are excellent.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Selenium
- Zinc
- CoQ10
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid
- Glutathione
- N-Acetylcysteine
- Methionine
- Melatonin
- Superoxide Dismutase – S.O.D.
- Grape Seed Extract
- Pycnogenol
- Flavonoids: Catechins, Reserveratrol, Proanthocyanidins
- Green and Black Teas
- Garlic
- Carotenoids: Alpha & Beta-carotenes, Cryptoxanthin, Lycopene, Lutein, Zeaxathin
- Herbs: Ginkgo Biloba, Bilberry, Burdock, Silymarin (Milk Thistle), Curcumin/Turmeric
With so many antioxidant supplements to choose from, it’s best to mix it up and rotate your selection. Each antioxidant fights free radicals in a unique way, all offering a multitude of protection – so maximize your coverage by using different ones. However, don’t overuse antioxidant supplements by taking high doses for long periods of time, since no one knows the effects of this yet. More is not always better. If you want to play it safe, get your antioxidants through your diet the way nature intended. Or, do like a lot of people do and use both. Regardless, just make sure to get plenty of antioxidants in order to live a healthier, longer, and more youthful life!
