Antioxidants are substances within many foods which help protect your body's cells from oxidative damage. These substances include carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals.

Oxygen: We need oxygen to live. It travels from the air we breathe to the lungs, where it attaches to our blood's hemoglobin and is carried by the bloodstream to every cell in the body. Oxygen helps our cells metabolize our food into energy.

Normally, the molecules in our cells have a full set of electrons, which keep them stable. But, when molecules come into contact with oxygen, they become oxidized, which means that they lose an electron. With the loss of this electron, the original molecule is then converted into an unstable type of molecule known as a free radical.

Free Radicals: A free radical is an atom, molecule, or compound that is highly unstable because of its mis-distribution of electrons. These unstable free radicals continually attempt to share the electrons of other molecules, atoms or even other individual electrons so they can once again, become a stable entity.

Immune System Process: Free radicals are produced naturally by the body from the breakdown of food. They are part of the immune process which protects us from diseases.

No matter our what our age, cells within our bodies oxidize. However, as we grow older, these oxidized cells are not replaced as quickly with healthy new cells. These damaged cells cannot perform their former work in the bloodstream as well as when they were healthy and stable.

Environmental Health Threats: The reason why people are concerned about free radicals is because our bodies are continually exposed to a growing number of outside agents such as chemicals, (herbicides, pesticides, plastics fumes, auto fumes, chlorination in our water), radiation (x-ray), tobacco smoke and increased stress, especially during our current economic downturn.

Sidebar: Did you know that you should not microwave food in a plastic container because the heat can cause the plastic to let off fumes which can be absorbed into your food? Transfer your food to a glass dish before placing it into the microwave.

Dietary Threats: Too many unhealthy foods or alcoholic beverages can also create an excess of free radicals which the body must attempt to neutralize.

Cell Damage: Excessive numbers of free radicals can cause cell damage. This can lead to pain, chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and even high blood pressure.

Antioxidants, which can be found in natural foods such as fruits and vegetables, neutralize these excess free radicals by donating an extra electron to these molecules. This action once again, stabilizes the molecule and stops the oxidative damage that free radicals cause.

ORAC Value: Food with the highest amounts of antioxidant "power" are said to be high in ORAC value. ORAC VALUE is a numerical system assigned to foods which have high anti-oxidative properties.

As we are continually barraged by an ever-increasing number of environmental chemicals and toxins, it is more difficult for our bodies to stay healthy and in equilibrium.

The body cannot store antioxidants in the same way that it stores nutrients or fat, so a constant replenishment is needed in order to keep our cells stable and balanced.

Different foods have different types of antioxidants. For example, berries have flavonoids which may help to improve the health of our arteries, while spinach has lutein, which may help macular degeneration.

Antioxidants also help reduce inflammation, help keep arteries flexible, and preserve the genetic (DNA) contained in every cell which helps to prevent cell mutation.

Cell Protection:

The "Green Bags" which you see advertised on TV extend the life of produce such as bananas and tomatoes by absorbing and removing the ethylene gases that cause normal deterioration.




Antioxidizing foods work much like the Green Bags because they provide these excess free radicals the extra electron they need to restabilize the cells and prevent oxidation.

This oxidative damage has been linked to diseases such as autism, high Blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and many other diseases.

How Can We Get More Antioxidants?

The choice is simple. We must either eat foods that contain them every day or choose supplements that help to provide their benefits.

Growing your own fruits and vegetables is your # 1 best way to get maximum health benefits.

However, if you are unable to raise your own food, try buying from a Farmer's Market where you can ask them if they use herbicides and pesticides. (Many do not.)

A balanced diet for children and adults should include 5-9 servings of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables each day.

Most antioxidant-foods are easy to spot in your supermarket's produce aisle. They have bright colors.

Here are some foods that are high in antioxidants.

After all, if you don't take care of your body,
...where else are you going to live?