As a conscious consumer, being aware of the antioxidant facts is important. Antioxidants are the latest buzz word in the health industry.
While the scientific community is delving deeper into understanding the phenomenon, many people still don't know how they work, or why they should even care.
When it comes down to it, all bodily processes can be explained through antioxidants and free radicals.
The latest science that studies DNA (at the atomic level) shows how and why antioxidants and free radicals are at the root of all the other processes in our body. This science:
• Can explain aging and disease.
• Helps scientists understand which nutrients are healthy and why.
• Points to optimal levels and types of physical activity.
• Shows how physical and mental environment affects health.
• Can unify holistic and medical practice.
Here are the antioxidant facts...
• Antioxidants are molecules which inhibit the oxidation process. They work by neutralizing unstable molecules called free radicals, thereby preventing them from doing damage to our DNA.
• Free radicals are unstable because they are missing an electron, and looking for another molecule to take an electron from. Antioxidants donate that extra electron to stabilize the free radical.
• Recent science shows free radical damage to be linked to all degenerative disease and aging.
• From poisonous snake bites, to depression to heart failure, free radical overload at the molecular level is to blame.
• Free radicals are also caused by stress, smoking, sun damage, pollution, water impurities, toxic leaching (i.e. from plastics and metals) and chemically grown food.
• The body doesn’t produce many antioxidants, so they need to come from an outside source – mainly diet and what can be absorbed by the largest organ, the skin.
• Today, we need much more antioxidants than ever to neutralize the harmful effects of our environment (mentioned above).
• There are tens of thousands of different antioxidants that all function differently, yet produce the same result (neutralizing free radicals). They range from enzymes, to vitamins, to phytonutrients.
The groundbreaking science concerning antioxidant facts is taking the medical profession for a loop back to what alternative practitioners have known all along.
It shows how natural foods, exercise, mental and physical environment all play a role in our health.
Knowing antioxidant facts, it's not just about calorie counting or focusing on this or that specific nutrient. It’s not just about taking herbs, pills or supplements either. An understanding of antioxidants offers up a bigger picture view of health, where micro meets macro.
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