Free radicals in your body pose a legitimate threat to your long
term health and longevity.
The take home message
that is that if you want to reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of chronic
disease and even cancers, be sure that your tissues are functioning
efficiently, strongly and make antioxidants rich food eating a daily affairs. An antioxidant comprises of atoms with excess
electrons that it can donate to stabilize the free radicals and also stop the
domino effects in its tracks. It is
associated with slowing the aging process because it slows or prevents cell
damage such as that which occurs with aging.
Antioxidants are further
categorized into non-enzymatic(found in foods) and enzymatic(produced by the
body). Enzymatic antioxidants cannot be
supplemented orally because they require co factors in the form of trace
minerals such as copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, iron and selenium which
are obtained via the diet. The
non-enzymatic antioxidants are found in food, supplement our internal antioxidant
defense system, preventing possible depletion and onset of disease.
CoQ10 is the most powerful
antioxidant used by the body and it is particularly effective in protecting the
heart, arteries and blood vessels, as well as slowing down premature ageing.
Glutathione is the master
antioxidant produced in the body. It is
found in every single cell of your body.
Glutathione together with the mineral selenium makes the antioxidant
enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase, which is very important for healthy liver
function and longevity.
Superoxide dismutase or SOD
is another major antioxidant produced by the body.
Alpha-lipoic acid is
also one of the antioxidant which our body makes in small amount but then we
can get it from food also.
N-acetyle cysteine (NAC) is
another antioxidant that is there to enhance immune functions and maintain
healthy lung function. It also boosts
levels of Glutathione. If you have
cataract, check for this antioxidant and Glutathione relationship and you will
find the answer.
Vitamin C is another antioxidant
is well known in its ability to help lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol
as well as reduce risks of developing chronic disease such as heart disease.
Vitamin E is the major lipid or
fat soluble antioxidant in the body and is the antioxidant that comes to the
rescue when a free radical attacks the fatty acids in the cell’s linings. Vitamin E is also important for diabetics, it
enables insulin to reach healthy cell receptor sites that have not been damaged
by free radicals.
Selenium is also another
important antioxidant and is essential cancer protecting nutrient.
