Defend Against Disease With Antioxidants

For at least the last 15-20 years, the word antioxidant has become part of the vernacular. Today, their importance has by no means diminished; rather antioxidants are recognized as one of the most important weapons in the fight against disease.

All our physiological processes require oxygen, and it is this that gives us energy. However, by-products of burning oxygen form in the body, similar to the sparks given off by a fire. These little sparks are commonly known as free radicals. Antioxidants have the ability to counteract the damaging effects of these everyday physiological processes. They are the vitamins, minerals and enzymes that play a vital role in preventing the onset of chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Rheumatoid arthritis and cataracts.

Our bodies undergo oxidative stress when the capability of these antioxidants is eclipsed by the number of free radicals being produced. Free radicals are the major cause of aging and degenerative disease in our society. They are continually formed in the body as part of normal biological processes, however, other factors contribute to an overload of free radicals, such as pesticides, cigarette smoke, pollution, alcohol and foods that are fried at high temperatures, or burnt.

It is thought that a human cell is exposed to roughly 100,000 free radical hits per second. The role of antioxidants is to 'mop up' free radicals, and natural foods are known to supply large numbers. Dr Kyriazis, who has contributed significantly to the field of anti-aging research, believes that in addition to nutrient rich foods, certain supplements have antioxidant benefits, including Vitamin E and Co-enzyme Q10. Vitamin E and co-enzyme Q10 help to fight aging by attacking free radicals that would normally attack DNA, proteins and other body tissues. Equally, carnosine, which is a natural amino acid, counteracts the harmful effects of sugar on body proteins, while repairing any existing damage. Dr Kyriazis believes in limiting sugar intake, and increasing protein, fish oils, seeds, nuts, herbs, fruits and vegetables. This, in addition to supplementation, can reduce your overall risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, cataracts, and a range of other age related diseases.

Antioxidants help to keep your immune system strong; therefore strenuous exercise should be avoided. Moderate exercise will help to fight the effects of aging, but long exercise workouts, in excess of roughly 45 minutes, create more free radicals and stress hormones that harm the body. Instead, short period of exercise for 20-30 minutes at a time is more beneficial. Brisk walking, swimming, dancing, cycling and tai chi will increase energy levels, boost your immunity and encourage the production of human growth hormone, which declines naturally with age.

Superoxide dismutase is a strong anti-inflammatory and a powerful, naturally-occurring antioxidant in your body. It is routinely administered by doctors to help cancer patients recover from radiation therapy, and cardiac patients to avoid further heart damage. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it also provides significant relief from the debilitating effects of Rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, Superoxide dismutase levels peak as early as the age of 10, after which time they decline by roughly 15 % each decade. While it is present in certain foods, including cabbage, broccoli, and wheat and barley grasses, diet alone does not appear to be sufficient to maintain your levels.”

There are a number of extremely nutritious foods that are becoming increasingly known for their antioxidant properties. In the US, a team of nutritionists published a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, outlining the antioxidant qualities of a number of common foods, using ORAC, or the oxygen radical absorbance capacity.

The results below list the top 20 foods.

• Small red beans (or Mexican red bean - dried)
• Blueberries (wild)
• Red kidney beans
• Pinto beans
• Blueberries (cultivated)
• Cranberries
• Artichokes (cooked)
• Blackberries
• Prunes
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Red delicious apples
• Granny Smith apples
• Pecans
• Sweet cherries
• Black plums
• Russet potatoes (cooked)
• Black beans (dried)
• Plums
• Gala apples

It is wise to eat as balanced a diet as possible in order to benefit from a wide range of antioxidant nutrients. Raspberries and strawberries contain ellagitannin, a substance that helps prevent the growth of cancerous cells. Pecans contain copper and potassium. Pinto and kidney beans contain high amount of folate, or vitamin B9, which also lowers homocysteine levels, implicated in heart disease. Blueberries contain anthocyanis, and this has been shown to protect brain cells. Most antioxidant rich foods lose some of their antioxidant properties when processed, the exception being tomatoes. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is actually enhanced by cooking.