There has been a lot of talk about antioxidants and how they help and protect the body from aging. In today’s society everyone experiences oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs from normal metabolic process and exposure to natural or artificial radiation, pollution, sun exposure, toxins in the air, food and water, stress, miscellaneous sources of oxidizing activity such as tobacco smoke and drugs. It’s hard not to experience some type of oxidative stress on a daily basis even if you don’t bring it upon yourself. That’s because our body has thousands and thousands of reactions a day.
The body obtains energy by digesting food with oxygen, which generates by products. One such by-product is free radicals, electronically unstable atoms and molecules that are capable of damaging neighboring cells by stripping them of an electron. Once this occurs it creates a chain reaction within the body that can damage DNA, proteins and cell membranes. Cellular damage can lead to signs of aging, and cause diseases such as cancer and other age related diseases. Due to the fact that the body naturally creates these dangerous free radicals as a by-product of our metabolism, we have natural defenses against oxidative stress. Physical barriers contain free radicals at the site of production and enzymes neutralize reactive oxygen molecules. Repair mechanisms help to repair damaged cells and stress responses activate programmed cell death if the damage is to great.
However due to increase in pollution, radiation, toxins and chemicals in the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink our bodies are creating more free radicals than the body can naturally neutralize. Thus the increase in oxidative stress on the body and the rise of age related disease and signs of aging. Since cellular damage caused by free radicals speeds up the aging process and the risk for age related diseases, anti aging has become a way of life. The market for anti aging treatments, cures, and remedies has skyrocketed. However the best way to neutralize free radicals is at the source of their creation. Research has proven that antioxidants are the best resource to fight off free radical chains with in the body. Antioxidants cut off free radical chain reactions before they get started by donating electrons to unstable oxygen molecules. Thus antioxidants slow down the aging process by keep cells healthy and free from damage.
Antioxidants are readily available in the foods we eat. Additional antioxidant supplements, vitamins, capsules, creams, lotions, drinks are available to supplement ones diet. Many of the essential vitamins and minerals that the body requires on a daily basis are antioxidants. Antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, coenzyme Q10, manganese, iodide, melatonin, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, flavonoids, anthocyanins, polyphenols, and many more. By eating foods with high antioxidant content such as fruits and vegetables you can reduce the signs of aging by eliminating free radicals. Anti aging doesn’t have to cost a lot and it can be as easy as having a salad.
Sarah Labdar graduated with a BA in exercise science and has worked in the medical field since. Her focus is alternative medicine and how it interacts and works in conjunction with traditional medicine.
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http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/Antioxidants_for_Aging.html