| You may have heard about a new
miraculous substance called an AntiOxidant. In it, scientists believe they
have discovered a sort of 'Fountain of Youth'. Actually, antioxidants
have been around for a long time. Many of the vitamins we rely upon are
antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene. But there are other less
well known antioxidants that are even more potent which are called the Super
AntiOxidants.
These Super AntiOxidants although not called vitamins
because they aren't essential to life, are powerful weapons in our war on
disease and aging (Yes, AGING) There are literally hundreds of good scientific
studies that show that these Super AntiOxidants can do everything from
preventing heart disease and cancer to improving vision and enhancing brain
function.
What is happening?
Oxidation in the body is a process similar to what happens to
metal when it rusts, or to an apple when it turns brown after being cut. And,
just as a squeeze of lemon juice stops the oxidation of an apple, so do
antioxidants stop the rusting inside our bodies by nasty things called
Free Radicals.
The word oxidation come from oxygen, an element that is essential to life, but
can be harmful in some forms inside our bodies. A good oxygen molecule has
its electrons paired up, making it stable. An unstable or bad oxygen
molecule has a missing electron, creating what is termed a Free Radical. These are
bad because they go around grabbing onto other cells in their attempt to find
another electron and become stable. In doing this, they can cause problems with
the workings of the cell to which they attach. Scientists now believe this is
what accelerates the aging process. Enough about electrons, etc.
Free radicals are all around us; in the air we breath, in the food we eat, and
even as a natural product of living. In fact, free radicals are used by the
immune system to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. They have become a
problem because of the polluted environment we live in and our poor diets.
It is the excessive free radicals, not balanced properly with antioxidants, that
do damage. The ideal body, with ideal nutrition, in an ideal environment, would
have the ability to counteract the free radicals it produces, and keep them
under control.
Free Radical Sources:
Auto Exhaust
Chlorinated Water
Cigarette Smoke
Cleaning Products
Deoderant Sprays Food
Additives
Fuels
Herbicides
Pesticides
Prescription Drugs
Radiation
Rancid Oil
Smog
Spray Cans
Toxic Fumes
|
Advertisements
Natural Health
Products
click here to read more
|