Free Radicals And Antioxidants

Plenty of publicity has been related to free radicals and antioxidants, but do you know what they are and how they affect your wellbeing?

Another name for an unstable oxygen atom is a free radical. As you will remember, from your school days, an atom has a nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons, around which electrons circulate. This is fine when the electrons are in pairs, but problems are present when an electron is not paired, as with unstable oxygen atoms. Then the free radicals steal electrons from normal, or stable body cells and set up a process called oxidation.

Free Radicals And Antioxidants - Oxidation

Antioxidants have been proven to limit the effect of oxidation in the body caused by free radicals, or to put it more succinctly, antioxidants defend you from free radical damage. Make no mistake about it that antioxidants shield you from several of the most severe diseases, including heart disease, cancer, strokes, arthritis, and many other conditions. Some people even believe that an adequate amount of antioxidants in their diets may delay the onset of old age!

You may fairly wonder just where the dreadful free radicals come from, but to be honest they might not be as terrible as you think. Free radicals may also assist the body to fight germs, so it is an excess of free radicals that causes health problems, and not the whole amount.

Isn't it alarming, to think that people should require to be consistently reminded how to remain in good health? Whereas most people are inclined to do almost anything to protect their cars from oxidation, or rusting, they are unwilling to defend themselves, from free radical damage. For sure the car will quickly deteriorate if rusting is permitted to get worse, but our bodies will become "rusty" if free radicals are not stopped in their tracks. By all means tend to your car, but you should make your number one priority caring for yourself. A good place to start is consuming 5 - 9 fruit and vegetables per day, and seeking the advantages of the antioxidants they include.

Free Radicals And Antioxidants - Easy as ABC

It is good to know that antioxidants are easily available to maintain the balance, and deal with any excess of free radicals. It is as simple as ABC. Just think of Apples, Bananas, and Cauliflowers, because plenty of antioxidants are found inside the 5 - 9 fruit and vegetables, that you are always being advised to take in your food.

Consider 5 fruits and vegetables as a minimum, because you should realize, you will get better antioxidant protection against free radicals from 6 - 9 portions than 5! Just as many fruits and vegetables have an abundance of antioxidants, there are other foods that are unfavorable.

Free Radicals And Antioxidants - Are All Fats Bad?

A high fat diet can substantially increase free radical output, and it is generally accepted that saturated fat is responsible for free radical problems. But, the situation is complicated as not all fats are loaded with free radicals. A good place to start would be to strive to steer clear of saturated fats, including animal meat, and all fried foods. There are other fats, such as fish oils, which current researches suggest are actually helpful, but trans fats, frequently used in shop bought cakes, biscuits etc. are best left alone.

Free Radicals And Antioxidants - The Environment

Unfortunately, our intake of free radicals is not solely from food, but also from environmental pollutants, such as factory emissions, cigarette smoke, and the like. You could not possibly avoid them all, but a good way to protect yourself, is by an applied knowledge of antioxidants. There are scrumptious fruits and vegetables, in plentiful supply, to help your cause, but you have to be certain that you are getting enough, by aiming for the top of the recommended consumption, of 9 helpings per day.

Free Radicals And Antioxidants - Watch Your Diet

Antioxidant food is vital to your healthy lifestyle, but if you need further safeguards you could consider vitamin supplements. You would normally get all your Vitamin C from your fruit and vegetable consumption, but it's good to take Vitamin E as well. Vitamin E is found in almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and green leafy vegetables. Of course the vitamins are particularly good if they are an integral part of the foods you eat. Supplements are obtainable, in various forms, but it is wise to discuss such requirements with a qualified advisor.

You will know from this brief article, that antioxidants will assist you to remain healthy, by counteracting free radicals. All you need is the determination to make certain there are sufficient antioxidants included in your diet. If you do not give appropriate consideration to your eating habits, you must accept the consequences. But, you know, that if free radicals are kept under control, the possibility of getting severely ill is much less.