Everything You Need to Know About Antioxidants
There is lot of talk about the fitness benefits of antioxidants in the news and in current health studies. And while that might be attention-grabbing news, some of you may be wondering what antioxidants are and what they accomplish. Are there various types of antioxidants? How do we obtain a sufficient amount of them in the food that we eat? And how does eating a diet high in antioxidants strengthen our bodies capability to defend against free radicals?
Antioxidants are substances that shield cells from harm by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules capable of damaging cells and tissue and antioxidants fight against free radicals constantly. Free radicals are increased by injury, stress, pollution, and illness and since their discovery; they have been implicated as key players in ill health–as well as accelerating the aging process. The more free radicals that are formed, the further antioxidants are needed to neutralize them.
Beta-carotene and selenium, vitamins C and E, are examples of powerful antioxidants. And since no single antioxidant can defeat all the free radicals in the body, using them in combination increases their effectiveness. Although there are several enzyme systems inside the body that scavenge free radicals, the most beneficial ingredients are antioxidants. The body cannot manufacture these nutrients so they must be supplied in the diet-and useful sources include vegetables, fruits, and certain types of tea.
Vitamin A is an antioxidant that is good for the immune system and it defends the fatty tissue and cell membranes. Vitamin A also helps your teeth and bones.Foods that have a high concentration of vitamin A are cheese, liver,and eggs.
Carotenoids lower the risk of heart disease, some types of cancer, and help to strengthen the immune system. They are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, kale, spinach, tomatoes, and pink grapefruit.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which supports the immune system and the cardiovascular system.Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which supports the immune system and the cardiovascular system. Good sources include citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi, and strawberries.
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant by itself, but is magnified when it is ingested with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, selenium, and beta carotene. Good sources include nuts, seeds, fish oils, whole grains, and apricots.
In the body, Flavonoids enhance the beneficial activities of vitamin C and can help support a healthy immune system.
They are found primarily in vegetables and fruits,dark chocalate, as well as black or green teas.
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