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Antioxidants
If you’ve
noticed how an apple turns brown when it’s cut or how iron rusts when
exposed to the elements, you’ve seen the effects of oxidation.
Oxidation causes similar damage to the cells of the body. But unless you
have discovered how to live without breathing, you cannot escape the
consequences of oxidation. It takes place whenever you breathe, digest
food, exercise, or even sleep – and produces potentially harmful
agents called free radicals.
Free
radicals are unstable molecules that trigger chain reactions that eat away at
the cells of the body and damage the genetic material they contain. Countless
free-radical chain reactions take place in the body each day. In addition,
emotional stress, ultraviolet light, air pollution, and cigarette smoke also
generate free radicals that can put your health at risk.
Fortunately,
nature provides antioxidants – factors which have been shown to be helpful in
minimizing the effects of free radicals. The most important antioxidants
include:
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Certain
vitamins and carotenoids
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Glutathione,
L-cysteine, alpha lipoic acid
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Certain
minerals such as Zinc and Selenium
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Components
found in plants, such as ginkgo biloba, bilberry, resveratrol and green tea
While
fruits and vegetables provide a source of natural antioxidants in the diet, in
this modern age additional supplementation is desirable to help achieve optimal
intake.
Recent
research suggests that combinations of antioxidants work better than isolated
antioxidants, and that alpha lipoic acid in particular helps to recycle the
antioxidants.
This information is not intended to
replace the advice of a qualified Healthcare Professional.
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