What are Antioxidants? Articles | Supplements

By: J.Morgan

During our daily life we are exposed to pollution, exhaust fumes, toxins in our surroundings, cigarette smoke, highly processed foods, pesticides, herbicides, and numerous other pollutants that occur in our environment. For the most part, we allow this pollution as part of industrial growth and progress. However, our bodies do not accept this pollution! And it is doing damage everyday and every time that we are exposed to it.
Pollution and environmental toxins are full of free radicals which invade the body and do damage. The human body produces antioxidants which fight off free radicals and keep the body healthy, even so as time goes on, more and more free radicals are being produced and entering our bodies which reduces the amount of antioxidants that are accessible to fight them.
Free radicals cause a variety of problems for the human body including, premature aging, poor circulation, mental detritions, liver damage, a lack of energy, bruising, heart disease and even cancer.
It is imperative that the body has a abundant store of antioxidants to draw from in order to effectively fight the free radicals that invade the body. Because of the constant barrage of environmental stresses on the body, the antioxidants are being used up and it becomes essential for us to ingest antioxidants in order to help fight the war on free radicals.
Fortunately there are many sources of antioxidants that are available to us. Some common sources are vitamin E which is found in wheat germ oil, nuts and seeds, whole grains, egg yolks, and leafy green vegetables and vitamin C which can be found in broccoli, citrus fruits, brussel sprouts, potatoes, parsley and strawberries. Beta carotene which can be found in dark green leafy vegetables and orange and yellow vegetables, lutein is found in kale, leeks, spinach, collard greens, romaine lettuce, peas and egg yolks, and lycopene which is found primarily in tomatoes, are also great sources.
Vitamin B2 which is commonly found in dairy products, eggs and meat products, Coenzyme Q10 which is found in fish and meat and cysteine which is found in most high protein foods are also excellent antioxidants. Herbs such as bilberry, turmeric, and grape seed are also rich sources of antioxidants.
The best way to guarantee that your body has sufficient antioxidants is to consume a wide selection of enzymes, vitamins, minerals and herbs to properly arm yourself against free radicals. Many people choose to take a vitamin supplement that is specifically formulated to fight free radicals as well.