Posts Tagged ‘free oxygen radicals’
Over the years I have always enjoyed getting older. Some have told me that this is crazy talk! When I was young I couldn’t wait to see what the next year would be like and that excitement has never left me. Turning 40 years old was the milestone I was looking forward to the most. It proved to be a stressful year with a few crazy events taking place right before my birthday. By the time my 41st birthday rolled around I started to notice the effects of age on my face. I was in the beginning stages of my road map of wrinkles taking place. I learned from this that although I have always been excited about getting older, now I was actually able to view it in progress. I felt blessed that I had maintained my youthfulness as long as I had but what was causing this process. What could I do to help fight back this process from kicking into high gear?
Some experts say that the secret to aging gracefully is as simple as what we eat. If we eat fruits, vegetables, green tea, and other healthful foods rich in antioxidants and other age-deterring compounds; we provide our bodies with a healthy diet and prevention of age-related or chronic diseases.
As we age, free radicals produce at a higher rate. Free oxygen radicals are created during the metabolism of normal oxygen cells, or oxidation. These free radicals are missing a simple electron and are in search of another molecule that they can combine with and become whole again. In this search, they fire charges that damage other cells. Now it makes more sense to us that the more free radicals our bodies contain the more damage that is likely being done. The best way for us to see this damage is through our normal aging process. Our skin encounters free radicals in many different ways and this effect is clearly obvious as we become older. Antioxidants interact with free radicals and terminate the reaction before cellular damage occurs.
What do we have available to us to use as a defense? I am truly amazed at the power provided to us through foods. The scientific proof behind studies done is overwhelming. We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat”. A diet high in anitoxidants may be the proverbial “Fountain of Youth”. This information is imperative to taking care of us from within. A combination of natural plant foods high in antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables has been shown to be the key to a long and healthy life. The Center for Disease Control recognizes this fact and recommends supplementation for those people who cannot or do not eat enough plant-based foods.
The principal vitamin antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Many antioxidants are often identified by their distinctive colors. The deep red of cherries and tomatoes, the orange of carrots, the yellow of corn and mangoes, and the deep blue and purple of blueberries, blackberries, and grapes.
Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties. A plant would produce these chemicals to protect itself but research demonstrates that they can protect humans against diseases. They gobble up free radicals and have other health enhancing effects. anti aging super foods provide us with the phytonutrients that give us optimal health and allows our bodies to operate disease free. Some well known phytochemicals are lycopene in tomatoes, isoflavones in soy, and flavanoids in fruits. Phytochemicals have antioxidant activity and protect our cells against oxidative damage.
To take all of this in on a daily basis may be feasible for some. For others though this may be more difficult. To provide the amount that we need to give our bodies in abundance can create frustration for those that don’t like eating varieties of fruits and veggies. As parents we all have been in situations with our young ones that don’t want to eat this way and because of this their brand new little bodies begin depleting of the most important nutrients.
Our lives are busy and hectic. We have needed to find ways to supplement our bodies when necessary or desirable. Feeding our bodies on a cellular level to help fight against the aging process has been a goal of mine for many years. Supplements have helped me to overcome the problems of getting good organic fresh food out of season. They have also helped my children to maintain optimum health. Go now to our website www.likemindedpeople.me and see for yourself what one of our secrets is.
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About the Author:
I have devoted 23 years of passion to living within the realms of alternative health care. This desire became even more prominent with the births of my 5 children. I set my intentions to attract people who are already looking for what I have to offer, the results have been magical! I love sharing my experiences and knowledge with others as to lighten their load and their learning curve. Cheers to All!
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