Antioxidants are a group of organic substances know as carotenoids that include vitamins C and E, vitamin A, selenium (a mineral). Carotenoids are the pigment compounds that give many fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors, with beta-carotene is the most well know carotenoid. Antioxidants work by destroying free harmful radicals. Free radicals can damage cell walls, genetic material within cells and other cell structures. This leads to cell malformation – the changes that contribute to aging, cancer, heart disease, stroke and many other ailments associated with natural aging. . Over time such damage may lead to disease.
The higher your toxic intake from food, environmental pollutants, toxic chemicals from smoking and drugs, the higher your need for antioxidants.
There are different ways to boost your antioxidant power house
Antioxidants used to boost the bodies ability to produce a number antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, that destroy many types of harmful free radicals. Supplements of these enzymes can also be taken, however absorption is typically low.
Supplements the body needs to make these enzymes may be more effective are more potent – including the minerals managanese, zinc and copper for SOD and selenium for glutathione peroxidase.
Vitamins and minerals are effective antioxidants in their own right – such as vitamin E, vitamin C, lutein, lycopene, vitamin B2, coenzyme Q10, and cysteine (an amino acid). Herbs, such as grape seed, bilberry, turmeric (curcumin), ginkgo, milk thistle and green tea also contain powerful antioxidant compounds. This appears to be the most effective way to increase your antioxidant stores.
Antioxidants are a group of organic substances know as carotenoids that include vitamins C and E, vitamin A, selenium (a mineral). Carotenoids are the pigment compounds that give many fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors, with beta-carotene is the most well know carotenoid. Antioxidants work by destroying free harmful radicals. Free radicals can damage cell walls, genetic material within cells and other cell structures. This leads to cell malformation – the changes that contribute to aging, cancer, heart disease, stroke and many other ailments associated with natural aging. . Over time such damage may lead to disease.
The higher your toxic intake from food, environmental pollutants, toxic chemicals from smoking and drugs, the higher your need for antioxidants.
There are different ways to boost your antioxidant power house
- Antioxidants used to boost the bodies ability to produce a number antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, that destroy many types of harmful free radicals. Supplements of these enzymes can also be taken, however absorption is typically low.
- Supplements the body needs to make these enzymes may be more effective are more potent – including the minerals managanese, zinc and copper for SOD and selenium for glutathione peroxidase.
- Vitamins and minerals are effective antioxidants in their own right – such as vitamin E, vitamin C, lutein, lycopene, vitamin B2, coenzyme Q10, and cysteine (an amino acid). Herbs, such as grape seed, bilberry, turmeric (curcumin), ginkgo, milk thistle and green tea also contain powerful antioxidant compounds. This appears to be the most effective way to increase your antioxidant stores.