Much publicity has been connected with free radicals and antioxidants, but do you know what they are and how they can affect your commitment to remain healthy?
Unstable oxygen atoms are otherwise known as free radicals. As you will know, 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 difficulties occur when an electron is not paired, as with free radicals. Then the free radicals take electrons from normal, or stable body cells and set up a sequence known as oxidation.
Antioxidants are known to offset the oxidation in the body induced by free radicals, or to put it plainly, antioxidants shield you from free radical damage. There is no question that antioxidants shield you from many of the most severe ailments, including heart disease, cancer, strokes, arthritis, and many other conditions. Some people even suggest that an ample supply of antioxidants in their food can slowdown the aging process! It is only common sense to discover everything you can about free radicals.
You could reasonably ask where these dreadful free radicals come from, but the truth is that they may not be as terrible as you think. Free radicals may also help the body to resist germs, so it is an excess of free radicals that creates health disorders, and not the whole amount.
The Case for Fruit and Vegetables
It is good to know that antioxidants are easily obtainable to restore the balance, and mop up any surplus free radicals. It ‘s as easy as ABC. Just think of Apples, Bananas, and Cauliflowers, because sought-after antioxidants are found within the 5 – 9 fruit and vegetables, that you are continually being advised to include in your diet.
Think of 5 fruits and vegetables as a minimum, because you should realize, you can get increased antioxidant defense against free radicals from 6 – 9 portions than 5! Although lots of fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, there are other foods that are unfavorable. Everybody really should study how free radicals affect staying healthy.
Don’t Get Rusty!
It’s alarming, to consider that anybody should need to be continuously told how to keep in good health? It seems that although many people are willing to do almost anything to protect their vehicles from oxidation, and rusting, they seem unwilling to protect themselves, from free radical damage. It is certain that the car will soon decline if rusting is allowed to get worse, but we too will become “rusty” if free radicals are not stopped in their tracks. Of course you should tend to your car, but you should make your foremost priority looking after yourself. A good place to start is with the 5 – 9 fruit and vegetables every day, and the antioxidants they include.
Are All Fats Bad?
A high fat diet may considerably increase free radical production, and it is generally accepted that saturated fat is responsible for free radical damage. But, the situation is complicated as not all fats are loaded with free radicals. A good way to start would be to seek to steer clear of saturated fats, including animal meat, and any sort of fried food. There are alternative fats, including fish oils, which current studies suggest are generally helpful, but trans fats, much used in commercial cakes, biscuits etc. are banned in some countries.
Free Radicals in the Environment
Regrettably, the risk from free radicals is not solely from our diets, but also from environmental sources, such as industrial emissions, cigarette smoke, and suchlike. You could not possibly steer clear of them altogether, but a good way to guard yourself, is through a practical awareness of antioxidants. There are scrumptious fruits and vegetables, in abundant supplies, to serve your cause, but you must ensure that you are getting enough, by aiming for the top of the recommended intake, of 9 helpings every day.
Essential Vitamins In Your Diet
Antioxidant rich food is essential to your healthy lifestyle, but if you require additional protection you could be interested in vitamin supplements. You should get all your Vitamin C from your fruit and vegetable intake, but you should endeavour to include Vitamin E too. You will find Vitamin E in walnuts, almonds, peanuts, and cabbage, amongst other leafy vegetables. Of course the vitamins are best if they are an integral part of the your healthy diet. Supplements are obtainable, in different forms, but are best considered under professional guidance.
You will realize from this concise introduction, that antioxidants will help you to keep healthy, by reducing the effect of free radicals. What you require is the determination to be sure there are sufficient antioxidants included in your diet. Should you not give appropriate consideration to your food, you must accept the consequences. However, you should now appreciate, that if free radicals are managed with antioxidants, the possibility of being gravely ill is reduced.
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