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Glen

Antioxidant Definition provides information and resources to learn the benefits, food sources, deficiency-toxicity symptoms, and supplement recommendations.

Antioxidant Definition

Ever had a tool rust?  The chemical process is called oxidation.  A similar process happens to our bodies over time.  As much as we need oxygen to live, unless we dispose of the excess fragments when we're done, we begin to corrode.  Some people have said about aging, "We don't wear out...we rust out."

An antioxidant is a chemical that helps keep us from rusting.

Benefits And Uses For Antioxidants:

Our bodies use Antioxidants to strengthen our immune system, eliminate waste and harmful chemicals, control blood chemical levels (including sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides), and slow aging.  The clinical evidence is stacking up so fast, we won't even try to list all the benefits of antioxidants.  Here are some major Antioxidant benefits already proven: 
1.  Antioxidants help prevent heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.
2.  Antioxidants help prevent cancer by disposing of toxics in the body and repairing cells...may actually reverse some forms of cancer.
3.  Antioxidants help prevent and are used to treat numerous diseases and infections from the common cold to arthritis...even cancer.
There is really no question...everyone should make sure they're getting enough antioxidant nutrition. 

Why Do We Need Antioxidants?

Here are some aspects of our modern lifestyle that greatly increase our need for Antioxidants:
1.  Diet high in fat, refined sugars and processed foods.
2.  Exposure to various forms of radiation (Microwaves, x-rays, electricity, etc.).
3.  Stress.
4.  Exposure to viruses and other infections (cold, flu, etc.).
5.  Exposure to chemicals (pesticides, detergents, fertilizers, etc.).
6.  Exposure to sunlight.
7.  Smoking.
8.  Normal life processes, like breathing and aging.

Toxicity (Overdose) Symptoms Of Antioxidants:

Antioxidants taken in their natural food form are completely non-toxic.  Each antioxidant, when taken as a supplement has it's own toxicity level and symptoms (see Supplements below).

USDA's Top 20 Antioxidant Foods:

1.  Small red beans (dried)
2.  Wild blueberries
3.  Red kidney beans
4.  Pinto beans
5.  Blueberries (cultivated)
6.  Cranberries
7.  Artichokes (cooked)
8.  Blackberries
9.  Prunes
10.  Raspberries
11.Strawberries
12. Red Delicious apples
13. Granny Smith apples
14. Pecans
15. Sweet cherries
16. Black plums
17. Russet potatoes (cooked)
18. Black beans (dried)
19. Plums
20. Gala apples

The above list is somewhat useful but too specific.  Here are more foods very high in antioxidants:
Carrots, citrus fruits, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, legumes, meats, tomatoes, melons.  If you're eating lots of fresh* fruits and vegetables and some fresh* meats every day, you're getting Antioxidants.

* Fresh means not frozen, ground, processed, freeze-dried or micro waved.

Supplements Of Antioxidants:

Considering our lifestyle, we should all supplement our diets with antioxidant nutrients.  Always choose supplements from reputable producers who use extracts of natural plant materials for their antioxidant supplements.  Here are the individual antioxidant nutrients and links to toxicity, deficiency and supplement recommendations:

Vitamin E
Beta Carotene (pro-Vitamin A)
Vitamin C
Glutathione
Lycopene Antioxidant
Lutein
Flavonoids
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Ubiquinols (CoQ10)
Zeaxanthin
Selenium
Manganese
Copper
Zinc
Organic Germanium*

* Technically not an antioxidant.  Added by Glen because of its support to the antioxidant process.

Health And Fitness For Life:

If you're looking to nutrition for health and fitness, you probably want a healthy life...not just body or looks...but mind, body and spirit.  You can renew your mind and spirit with God's help.  He can heal the stuff your diet doesn't control.  If you want His help, go to Healing From God.

Related Topics:

Nutrition And Cooking Tips RSS Feed  Nutrition Tips
6 Basic Nutrients Groups
Antioxidant Definition
Buying Low Fat Foods
Calories In Food List
Dangers Of Trans Fat
Diverticulitis Diet-Causes
Drinking Water
Fiber-Fruits Vegetables
Herbal Nutrition
In Defense Of Food
List Of High Fiber Foods
Low Fat High Flavor Tips
Low Fat Restaurant Food
Low Sodium Foods
Macronutrients
Micronutrients
Minerals Good For Body
Nutrition Supplements
Other Nutrients
Protein-Amino Acids
Vitamin Benefits List
What Is Diet?
Why Nutrition Important?

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