The good news is a varied diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is full of vitamins and minerals that can clean up your free radicals. Meet your new health hero, the antioxidant. The big three antioxidant nutrients are vitamin A beta carotene , vitamin C, and vitamin E. Free radicals are created by your cells during the normal process of exercising and converting food into energy. Free radicals are also created during exposure to environmental conditions like sunlight, cigarette smoke , or pollution.
Hiding in plain sight, inside a diet full of fruits , vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy, and whole grains! Vitamin A or beta-carotene is necessary for good vision, immunity, reproduction, and healthy organs. People who eat a diet rich in beta-carotene seem to have a lower risk of some kinds of cancer. However, smokers who take high doses of beta-carotene have a higher risk of lung cancer. Other research shows antioxidant supplements may help slow vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration.
We need vitamin C for a strong immune system, to fight free radicals, to build collagen , and to absorb iron. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables with vitamin C is associated with a lower risk of some cancers.
Preliminary research indicates high doses of vitamin C could shrink tumors in animals and test tubes. Because oxidative damage contributes to cardiovascular disease, researchers believe a diet high in vitamin C and other antioxidants may be protective. Vitamin C may slow progression of macular degeneration. Vitamin E supports the immune system and prevents blood clotting. Dietary sources of vitamin E include:.
Zinc supports the immune system and helps the body build proteins and DNA. It also helps with healing and the senses of taste and smell. Besides protecting your body from free radical damage and infection, selenium is important for reproduction, DNA production, and thyroid function. Adults need 55 micrograms per day, but no more than micrograms. Pregnant women should get 60 micrograms, and breastfeeding women need 70 micrograms. Eating a variety of foods is the best way to get most nutrients your body needs.
Could you get a little extra vit C or vit E from a pill? As well as slowing or preventing the progression of some types of cancer, lycopene can also reduce heart disease factors, protect against UV damage to a certain extent and have beneficial effects on your eyesight. Fushi Saw Palmetto and Lycopene Extract supplements contain a hearty combination of Saw Palmetto berries to support the urinary system and prostate health, and lycopene to protect against oxidative damage in the body.
Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10 or ubiquinone, is a vitamin-like substance. It also protects cells from oxidative damage and neutralises free radicals. In women, it can help to slow the rate at which female fertility declines. With age, the number and quality of available eggs decreases, but CoQ10 can help to protect these eggs from oxidative damage. Similarly, CoQ10 has been known to reduce the oxidative damage caused by UV rays on the skin.
This helps to prevent and reduce the look of wrinkles caused by external factors. CoQ10 can be found in small amounts in a wide variety of foods, but most commonly in fatty fish and meat.
The highest concentrations of it can be found in organ meats like liver, kidney and heart. These caffeine-free and natural capsules provide an energy boost when you need it. We combine Siberian ginseng, gotu kola, beetroot, watermelon, inositol and folic acid with CoQ10 to support a wide range of bodily processes and promote a healthy lifestyle. Tumeric has been used for thousands of years in India as a spice and medicinal herb.
It contains compounds called curcuminoids, of which curcumin is one of the most powerful. Curcumin is a yellow pigment known for its anti-inflammatory properties, for neutralising free radicals and boosting the amount of antioxidants that the body naturally produces.
The curcumin content found in turmeric is relatively low, whereas turmeric extracts contain a more concentrated and higher percentage of curcumin. Curcumin does this by blocking and suppressing molecules that cause inflammation. Black pepper contains piperine, which enhances the absorption and effectiveness of curcumin. Spirulina is a type of algae that grows in fresh and saltwater. Known for its deep green blue colour, spirulina is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world, making it a must-have supplement to keep in your cupboard.
In its natural form, spirulina is a cyanobacteria. Similarly to plants, cyanobacteria convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. In order to reap the benefits of it, spirulina is dried and ground up into a powder that can be added to food and drink. Amongst its long list of health benefits, spirulina is rich in antioxidants and has high anti-inflammatory effects.
This is due to phycocyanin, which is the main active compound in spirulina. Phycocyanin is not only effective at fighting free radicals and combating oxidative damage, it also gives the algae its unique green colour. LDL cholesterol is susceptible to oxidative damage in your body, but spirulina has been proven to be effective at reducing the oxidation of harmful fatty structures. Antioxidants — Better Health Channel. All information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only.
The information provided should not be relied upon as medical advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified healthcare professional. See all our programs and support. Antioxidant supplements — do you need them? What are antioxidants?
Should you get antioxidants from food or take supplements? Are there any benefits of taking supplements? Antioxidant foods for healthy glowing skin: Eat your way to better looking skin Eating a wide variety of vegetables and fruits can help ensure you get a diverse range of antioxidants to optimise your health.
You can get the following antioxidants from these food sources: Vitamin A — liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk and egg yolks Vitamin C — broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower Vitamin E — almonds, avocado, leafy greens Carotenoids — apricots, asparagus, broccoli Zinc — beef, oysters, pumpkin seeds Selenium — brazil nuts, fish, shellfish Beta-carotene — carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach Lycopene — tomato, watermelon, grapefruit.
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