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Antioxidants: A Defense Against... Oxygen?
One of the many paradoxes of human life is the fact that, although oxygen is vital for our continued existence, it is a very reactive molecule that ultimately damages our cellular structure.
Oxygen is one of the very necessities of life, but is also one of its long-term hindrances, as oxidization of our cells can be traced directly to cancer. So does this mean we 're doomed to inhale what will inevitably do us harm? Are we pre-programmed for self-destruction? Not quite.
While we require oxygen in our system to operate, we could certainly do without the damage it can inflict, and this is where antioxidants enter at stage right.
An antioxidant is a molecule that works to impede the oxidation of other molecules, essentially slowing down the damage to our cells.
Simply put, the right balance of antioxidants allows us to take as much of the good with as little of the bad as possible, when it comes to oxygen. Too much of the stuff, however, can be nearly as bad as none at all. Again, we see that promoting wellness is all about finding the right balance.
The correct balance of antioxidants can aid against several kinds of cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, macular degeneration, suppressed immunity conditions, and other possible neurological diseases.
Though the evident power of antioxidants is astounding for something that can be so easily acquired, it's surprising to note that there are a great amount of people lacking dietary antioxidants. Moreover, to the dismay of the entire North American lifestyle, taking a pill isn't the answer.
Though initial research showed that antioxidant supplements promoted health, larger clinical studies found quite the contrary. While in fact antioxidant supplements showed nearly no benefit at all in the trials, it was also found that taking them in excess is unquestionably harmful, shooting the "pop-a-pill" mentality right out of the water.
For an antioxidant-rich diet, a supplement isn't the route to take – so what is?
The best sources of antioxidants are fruits, vegetables, and substances derived from said fruits and vegetables, like oils. As a rule of thumb, think color! The pigmentation and vibrant colors of some of everyone's favourite fruits and vegetables are a by-product of the antioxidant content within. If your diet consists of a lot of colorful plants, you're on the right track; but if you're cooking the plants, you're on the wrong train. Many fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants will have their levels depleted by the cooking process. Color is key, and if you find that cooking is bringing a slew of colors all to the same shade of charred brown, you can be certain something was lost in the process.
Fresh, juicy, uncooked fruits and vegetables are the way to go! With that said, there's still more to the equation.
Along with the adage "color is key" comes another unquestionable, undisputable, undeniable, tried and tested truth: moderation, moderation, moderation!
Very few things are healthy in abundance, and antioxidants are a prime example of this health-enthusiast's proverb. Antioxidants in excess would be better described as anti-nutrients, and will often bind to dietary minerals such as zinc and iron, preventing them from being absorbed by the body.
Very high doses of certain antioxidants can also reach toxic levels, and can inhibit physical recovery after extensive rigorous activity. Be that as it may, don't be alarmed; this article isn't going to leave you with problems lacking solutions.
Luckily, there are some great minds out there with some great answers when it comes to what amount is a good amount when it comes to antioxidants. The improved American Food Guide Pyramid, published by the United States Department of Agriculture, suggests three to five servings of vegetables every day, along with two to four servings of fruit. The Healthy Eating Pyramid, published by the Harvard School of Public Health goes on to affirm these numbers, despite being markedly different when it comes to other food groups. Harvard's pyramid proposes a serving of vegetables to be 6 oz., while a serving of fruit is 4 oz.
Following a few proverbs, adages, and a pinch of advice from governments and universities, you can form a healthy diet, with just the right amount of antioxidants. Happy eating.
Antioxidants can protect our bodies from the harmful effects of stress, pollution, aging and diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants fight free radicals in our body and will help you maintain a healthy immune system. Also, find information on antioxidants in chocolate!
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