What are Antioxidants? (Part-I)

Antioxidants has become more and more popular nowadays as it is essential for us to stay younger thereby stay healthy.

However, do you really understand the function of antioxidants and also correct sources of antioxidants?


Please read below to have better understanding on antioxidants:

 Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antioxidants.html

Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements. Examples of antioxidants include:

• Beta-carotene
• Lutein
• Lycopene
• Selenium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of antioxidants. There is good evidence that eating a diet with lots of vegetables and fruits is healthy and lowers risks of certain diseases. But it isn't clear whether this is because of the antioxidants, something else in the foods, or other factors.

High-dose supplements of antioxidants may be linked to health risks in some cases. For example, high doses of beta-carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. High doses of vitamin E may increase risks of prostate cancer and one type of stroke. Antioxidant supplements may also interact with some medicines. To minimize risk, tell you of your health care providers about any antioxidants you use.


Source: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/antioxidant.htm

"Look and feel younger!" "Reverse the aging process!" "Boost your energy!" What could possibly do all that? -- antioxidants, devoted pill-poppers will tell you, despite the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited manufacturers from claiming that consuming their antioxidant products will reduce disease risk.  

Each year, countless hopeful Americans shell out billions of dollars on antioxidant supplements (nearly $2 billion, in fact, just on beta carotene and vitamins C and E), believing they will dramatically lower their risk of cancer, heart disease, and memory loss. Most experts agree, however, that taking antioxidants is not a shortcut to good health or the answer to staying young. So, where does that leave us? 


Antioxidants block the process of oxidation by neutralizing free radicals. In doing so, the antioxidants themselves become oxidized. That is why there is a constant need to replenish our antioxidant resources.  

The amount of antioxidants in supplements may be so high compared with that in the diet that it leads to a toxic effect. 

Other nutrients may be present in fruits and vegetables that work in sync with antioxidants and are necessary to provide a protective effect. 

The American Heart Association, for one, does not recommend using antioxidant supplements "until more complete data are in," but instead, suggests "people eat a variety of foods daily from all of the basic food groups."


Message is clear!

Antioxidants is indeed important, however we should obtaining antioxidants from natural sources such as wholesome plant food, which is definitely no side-effect and safe!

This is align with Nutritional Immunology, which advocates the consumption of wholesome plant food.

Read more on where I and my family get daily antioxidants from: http://nutritionalimmunologylifestyle.blogspot.sg/2014/09/6-immune-super-food-for-your-kids.html


Jinny
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