Here's the good news about antioxidants and aging: antioxidants can actually help slow down the effects of aging. By taking in foods rich in antioxidants and a high-quality antioxidant supplement, you may experience certain health benefits such as boosting of the immune system and slowing down of the aging process in one's skin, organs, and cells.
Fruits and leafy vegetables are natural sources of antioxidants, which, studies have shown, can protect our cells from damage caused by oxidation. One of the basic effects of this is the strengthening of our immune system, making us less susceptible to viruses and infections. Antioxidants are also known to lessen the risk of developing cancer cells, and lower possible incidence of diseases associated with the heart and bad cholesterol. The threat of macular degeneration, a form of blindness among the elderly, and glaucoma are also lessened. Having a stronger resistance against diseases and overall good health would also preserve our bodies from aging fast.
Vitamins A, C and E are the main antioxidants found in natural food, as well as the minerals zinc, beta-carotene, selenium and all of the phytonutrient carotenoids. As we consume food and breathe oxygen, we suffer from more and more free radicals. The oxygen causes the free radicals to increase. As we get older, it is just harder and harder for our body to fight these free radicals. The free radicals multiply in our body and cause illnesses, disease and generally downgraded health. Antioxidants help to fight these free radicals, giving you a weapon to combat these free radicals from doing further damage to your body.
These antioxidants combat the oxidative damage brought about by free radicals in our cells and tissues. The more antioxidants present in the body, the better our chances for keeping our bodies healthy and diseases away.
As mentioned, people can easily get antioxidants from different food sources, but the problem is that one can only eat so much fruit and vegetables in a day, and still not get enough antioxidants for optimal health. A high-quality supplement that contains antioxidants can augment your diet of fruits and vegetables.
A list of the vegetables and fruits that are the most antioxidant rich foods are: broccoli, spinach, greens, Brussels sprouts, beets, red peppers, carrots, tomatoes, berries. oranges, pink grapefruit, apricots, plums, peaches, papaya, and red grapes.
Try to get as many of these healthy foods in your diet everyday to get you much needed dose of antioxidants. An anti-oxidant supplement will also go a long way in strengthening your body and slowing down the aging process.
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