Antioxidants: Free-Radical Fighters

Many health-minded people have heard of antioxidants but have little idea of what they are and how they benefit our bodies. It may surprise you to learn that, while essential to our survival, oxygen can also be an enemy to our health. When the fats present in all cells combine with oxygen at an excessive rate, oxidation occurs within the body. Uncontrolled oxidation results in the formation of free radicals that damage healthy cells. Free radicals can lead to premature aging, lowered immunity, tumor formation and heart disease, just to name a few.

Antioxidants serve us by scavenging the free radicals as well as protecting us from damaging inhaled pollutants and UV rays while also decreasing our risk for auto-immune diseases, infection, skin disorders, urinary system disease and arthritis. Since one antioxidant molecule can stop only one damaging reaction, our bodies require a constant supply of antioxidants. Increasing our intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is one method for supplying our bodies with much needed antioxidants. However, with today's soil depletion, nutritional supplementation is the surefire way to ensure we are receiving these much needed nutrients...

A Few Antioxidant Herbs:

• Ginkgo - also great for mental function, circulation and longevity.
• Milk Thistle - also great for liver support and detoxification.
• Ginger - also great for digestion as well as an anti-inflammatory.

Some Antioxidant vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene) - protects skin from damaging UV rays as well as mucus membranes of mouth, nose, throat and lungs, strengthens eyes and prevents oxidation of Vitamin C.
• Vitamin C - stimulates immune function, combats bacterial infection, reduces effects of allergy-producing substances and protects vitamins, A, E and some B complex vitamins from oxidation.
• Vitamin E - can unite with oxygen and prevent it from becoming toxic, acts as an anti-pollutant in the lungs, protects against heart disease and prevents oxidation of vitamins B and C. Also protects skin from damaging UV rays.
• Selenium - must be present with vitamin E for absorption, fights cancer and ischemic heart disease.
• Zinc - increases immune function, protects against prostate problems.

CoQ10 - Another Great Antioxidant
Coenzyme Q10 is like receiving 2 breaths of oxygen! In addition to energizing and nourishing the body, it has many of the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E (including reducing the risk of heart attack), fights cancer, stimulates the immune system, increases the health of gum tissue and lowers blood pressure.This superwonder has also been referred to as The Fountain of Youth because of its ability to retard the aging process!