Antioxidants are the bodies natural defense mechanisms against the damaging effects of "free radicals" and oxidation reactions that damage cells and cause disease.
Free radicals are highly reactive, unstable molecules that cause harm to cell structures. They are created from oxidative processes, cooked trans-fats in the body and environmental pollutants.
Anti-oxidant molecules protect against these free radical "scavengers" and repair oxidative damage. In essence, they build a strong immune system, which shields us from "germs" and other foreign invaders that threaten our health. Eating a diet high in antioxidant rich foods is key to preventing the effects of free radical damage, which causes aging in the body.
Counteract Aging Effects
Oxidation reactions are crucial for all plant and animal life, and are a naturally occurring process within the cells. This process can also be damaging, however. Therefore, most plant life contain an array of built in components to protect the cells from oxidative stress factors.
One of the ways humans decrease oxidation that feeds free radical damage is to eat more foods high in anti "oxidants" and less foods that are refined, processed, cooked or highly denatured.
We are designed to eat a diet with plenty of high anti oxidant rich foods that naturally counter act any potential for harm or stress to our cellular functions.
Low quality foods cause oxidation and over time they cause rapid aging and disease in the body. Our bodies naturally increase the rate of oxidation as we age, so adhering to a
healthy diet
is crucial as we grow older and, hopefully, wiser.
The greater the number of antioxidants in the diet, the stronger the immune system. The oxidative obstacles and free radical damage will be reduced to a minimum and the younger we will look and feel!
In the words of Dr. L. Packer, author of The Antioxidant Miracle:
"To keep our anti oxidant network strong and effective, we must constantly replenish the anti oxidants we lose every second of every day as we carry on our normal activities. What we eat can make a huge difference in out ability to maintain the anti oxidant advantage, and to keep our bodies and minds functioning at optimal levels."
Top Antioxidant Rich Foods:
All the top super fruits are known to have the highest amounts of antioxidants of any foods. They are the "top dogs" and should be included in the diet, if improving health and immunity is your goal.
Berries, in particular, are known for their high ORAC ratings that are off the charts in most cases. The ORAC, "oxygen radical absorbency capacity", scale was developed by USDA to measure anti oxidant levels in foods.
Typically fruits with a bright pigment is nature's way of calling attention to them. These are some superfood berries that are incredibly high in anti-o's.
Cacao beans are actually tested to have one of the highest levels of anti-oxidants of all foods, but we wouldn't really recommend eating them on a regular basis because they can be overstimulating to the system. However, once in awhile in cacao recipes is fine and can be very boosting to the body.
ALGAES:
These green algaes all have high levels of anti-oxidants.
Like we mentioned, foods high in anti oxidants tend to have a bright color and pigment. This also includes raw fruits, vegetables, and green leafy vegetables, which provide Vit A, C, E, selenium, lycopene, beta-carotene and many more. Therefore, it is important to include a lot of raw foods in the diet, in addition to the top 10 superfoods that are high in antioxidant levels.
There may also be a need to supplement the diet, on occasion, with our list of super supplements. Most of these are food-based concentrates that can compliment the diet by clearing out stagnation or by adding missing nutrients to the diet. These things make it easier for the body to take in the anti-oxidants you consume.
Some herbs like Gingko biloba also contain significant amounts of anti-oxidants.
Antioxidant Metabolites:
There are 5 special anti oxidants that work together in a dynamic way, networking to synergistically strengthen and stimulate one another. This is an important thing to take into consideration, if your trying to boost levels.
Ascorbic acid - or Vitamin C is a water soluble molecule and an essential element to immune health and free radical destruction.
Glutathione - the most abundant of the network, found in virtually every cell. It is produced by the body from 3 amino acids found in food: glutamid acid, cysteine, and glycine.
Vitamin E (Tocotrienols) - is the bodies primary fat soluble anti oxidant. You must obtain Vit E from food sources.
Co Q10 - is a fat soluble anti oxidant that works intimately with Vit E to protect the fatty part of cell structure from attack by free radicals.
Lipoic Acid - can significantly increase levels of Glutathione. It is also the only one known to be soluble in fat and in water.
