Weight Loss Made Easy

Antioxidants are naturally occurring nutrients that shield the body and the immune system from free radicals. A free radical is a destructive and erratic molecule that is produced in our bodies during oxidative processes such as the burning of sugars for energy, the release of digestive enzymes to process food and the break down and discharge of environmental pollutants.

A “free radical” is an atom or a molecule that has at least one unpaired electron. This unpaired electron is highly unstable and it is particularly reactive to other atoms and groups of atoms, which leads to an interference of the cells ability to function typically. Free radicals can also cause cell damage, which is thought to be a foremost aspect in the expansion of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other conditions, along with age-related ailments such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

An antioxidant will neutralize the free radical by coupling up the unpaired electron or by preventing the oxidation in the first place. In the process the antioxidant will actually become oxidized itself so antioxidants need to be replaced constantly. Oxidation is a natural process of living and it cannot be avoided however, preventing the impairment from oxidation is critical.

Some usual antioxidants include vitamin A and Carotenoids found in orange fruits such as pumpkin, vitamin C found in citrus fruits, Vitamin E from nuts, seeds and whole grains, Selenium from fish, shellfish, red meat, eggs and chicken. Antioxidants also contain various phytochemicals including Flavonoids and polyphenols, which can be found in soy, red wine, grapes, cranberries and tea. Lycopene from tomatoes and watermelon. Lutein from dark green vegetables like Kale, spinach and broccoli and Lignan, which is found in whole grains like oats and barley and also in flax seeds.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Glutathione are antioxidants that are comparable to vitamins and the body also makes enzymes with antioxidant qualities called superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase.

Due to the tremendous evidence of the benefits of antioxidants in the past few years many antioxidants have become obtainable in the form of supplements. Some of these supplements are quite safe, for instance, vitamin C tablets, however other antioxidant supplements have been confirmed to be harmful. It is the synergy of nutrients that provides that benefits and no single antioxidant can defend the body.

By far the greatest way to get your antioxidants is through a healthy diet based upon vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and fish. It is recommended that we have at least 5 servings of produce a day, yet even more is beneficial. Vegetables and fruits are low calorie, high-density nutrition so there is no concern of weight gain and it is not risky to get your antioxidants from food as opposed to supplements.

The more colorful the food the higher antioxidant qualities it has, so eat colorful foods, like red tomatoes, green spinach, orange oranges and pumpkins and deep purple blueberries. Eat a colorful diversity every day for the highest antioxidant intake.

Would you like more information about try acai berry? The major side effects of a food intake high in fruits and vegetables is a long life. Also find out what Rachael Ray really said about the acai and MonaVie.

Tags:acai,acai berry,diet,drink,Exercise,fitness,food,Health,Losing Weight,nutrition,weight loss

Tags: acai, acai berry, diet, drink, Exercise, fitness, food, Health, Losing Weight, nutrition, weight loss

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 1:18 pm and is filed under Losing Weight. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.