We’re always hearing about how antioxidants are in fruits, juices, and vitamins, but do you really know how they help your body, or what they even actually are?
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions. They do this by being oxidized themselves, so antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols, ascorbic acid or polyphenols
Well now that we have the definition out of the way let’s talk about how they actually help you. Antioxidants are found in fruits, vegetables, tea, vitamins B C and A and even chocolate, they help regenerate cells by protecting them from free radicals.
You might be asking yourself, what are free radicals and why do I need to protect myself from them? Free radicals are cells that have become chemically changed and are a little weaker, think back to chemistry class, A free radical is a cell that loses an electron and becomes imbalanced. This cell then attaches to another cell to steal an electron and begins a chain reaction. Antioxidants help to fix the unbalanced cells, and correct the damage they have caused.
Consumption of antioxidants is said to help prevent cancer, antioxidants also work as anti-inflammatory agents, and deliver potent pro-youth abilities – fighting against free-radical damage and supporting the development of healthy skin tissue. They help your body in many ways and are available in many low calorie delicious foods, so why wouldn’t you want to work more antioxidants into your daily diet?!
Here are some foods that contain antioxidants:
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Pecans
- Lettuce
- Cooked Artichoke
- Cooked Russet Potatoes
Just to name a few!!
Hi La Shelle,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Did you know that I run a biophotonic scanner? What is it, you may be asking!
It is the only way to measure the antioxidant levels in your skin tissue. It uses a blue light, scans your hand, and gives a result in 90 seconds!
More accurate than a blood test. As you know, blood tests can spike according to something you eat that same day. Testing the tissue is much telling off what is actually getting in and staying in! Anti Oxidants showing up in a blood test is like telling you what is in the "elevator"...the scanner tells you if the antixidants got off the elevator and onto the right floor!
Maybe we can set up a day that I can come scan your clients...
Dr's offices charge $50 - $75 per scan, but we can offer them for $10 as a courtesy to your clients.
Call me on 310-977-3445 if you want more info....
This is Kathy LaBarbera