Everyone wants to grow old gracefully. Some go under the knife to get that youthful look while others opt for a more natural way to maintain that healthful glow. The way to make peace with age can be found in the types of foods that we eat and the miracle ingredient they contain.
This hidden “miracle” is called antioxidants. They have graced the pages of magazines, medical journals and every product from hand cream to supplement pills. But what are antioxidants and what can they do to keep you looking your best?
Antioxidants are substances that fight the aging process that goes on in your body. They are not produced by the body so to get the benefit of these power-packed substances you must ingest them. A variety of foods contain antioxidants.
Let’s go back to the beginning. The body continually replenishes its cells. Through a process called cellular metabolism, the body produces energy, more cells and repairs any damage. One by-product of cellular metabolism is unstable molecules called free radicals.
Free radicals are molecules that damage your body. They are unstable because they are missing an electron. To get another one and become stable, free radicals will steal electrons from cells. That theft damages the cells in a variety of ways.
The results are visible and invisible changes to our bodies. The development of diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and neurological deficiencies may begin to affect you as you age. Also, thinner skin wrinkles and brittle bones are a problem. Free radicals enter our body from outside sources as well: cigarette smoke, radiation and the sun’s UV rays. The more free radicals we encounter, the greater the damage that can be done.
Antioxidants have been shown to be of great help in the free radical problem. Antioxidant substances combine with free radicals and neutralize them. Once they are neutralized, they can no longer do any damage. Scientists don’t have any idea of a recommended daily dose of antioxidants to correct free radical damage and the diseases that come with age, but they do know that eating foods rich in antioxidants makes a huge difference in how we live.
Where do you find antioxidants? They are all around us. Look no further than your local farmer’s market or produce aisle in the grocery store. Fruits and vegetables contain the principle sources of antioxidants.
Examples of antioxidants include:
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin A
* Vitamin E
* Lutein
* Lycopene
* Beta-carotene
Certain minerals like zinc and selenium also function in the body. They are not antioxidants but they boost the immune system to fight against free radical damage.
Antioxidants are also found in nuts, legumes, cold water fish, seafood and red meat. So, eating a varied diet of fruits, vegetables and the foods just named will increase the amount of antioxidants in your system and help reduce the incidence of disease. Eating fruits and vegetables in their natural form instead of juices brings the benefit of other nutrients found in the foods. Juices also contain a lot of sugar that is not needed by your body.
Food does more than stave off hunger. Natural substances found there can cause us to live longer and stay free of disease as we age.
Please note the opinions expressed in the article above are in no way, explicit or implicitly, meant to replace the advice of a professional. Please refer to a professional for advice, assessment or management of your situation.
Showing posts with label antioxidants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antioxidants. Show all posts
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Do You Love Chocolate?
Enjoy this sample post from my new blog: I love Chocolate ...
Do you love chocolate? I sure do!
Welcome to my blog about chocolate. It isn't just about any ordinary chocolate but honest to goodness, guilt-free good for you chocolate!
You and I love chocolate. And we are not alone. Did you know that 9 out of 10 people crave chocolate? And 1 out every 2 people eat it every day? Outstanding!
But I promised to tell you about chocolate that was guilt-free and good for you too. First though I'd like to talk about something called antioxidants. Perhaps your healthcare professional has talked with you and suggested that you might need more antioxidants in your diet?
What are anti-oxidants? Antioxidants are molecules which prevent the damaging effects of free radicals in the body. The damage caused by the oxygen free radicals is called oxidation.So what is oxidation? Have you ever seen an old car with great chunks of rust on it? That rust is oxidation. Or think of a banana that has turned brown. That too is oxidation.
Less than 10% of North Americans are consuming enough of the fruits and vegetables recommended to obtain the necessary recommended amount of antioxidants that our bodies need to fight off the effects of oxidation.
Did you know that heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and other age-related diseases have been linked to free radical damage?
Cacao (cocoa) is the highest antioxidant food in the world!
Yes, that right! Unprocessed raw cacao (raw chocolate) is the highest source of antioxidants in the world. Cacao beans contain over 300 chemically identifiable compounds making it one of the most complex food supplements in the world.
Unprocessed raw cacao is packed with potent antioxidants called flavonoids. Research has demonstrated that flavonoids play an important role in protecting the cacao plant. Further research has concluded that these same natural protective compounds in cacao beans when consumed by humans improves health by protecting cells from the damaging effects of free radicals
More recently recognized, also, is the importance of the Acai berry found deep in the Amazon jungle. The Acai berry has been described as nature's most complete food not only because it is bursting with antioxidants but also because it is loaded with omega six and omega nine fatty acids, eight of the nine essential amino acids, calcium, iron and it has a protein composition similar to eggs. The Acai berry is the second highest source of antioxidants in the world. It has over 14 times more antioxidants than raw spinach.
The combination of the world's two greatest super foods, the raw cacao and the Acai berry which are found exclusively in all Xocai products is the MXI Corp. soluton.
Xocai products are produced with rich unprocessed non- alkalized, non-lecithinized cacao powder that is high in antioxidants due to a closely monitored fermentation, drying and roasting process.
Xocai products are the perfect delivery system for the antioxidants your body needs while eliminating almost all of the fat and sugar typically found in other chocolate products.
Now you can eat chocolate guilt free.
Do you love chocolate? I sure do!
Welcome to my blog about chocolate. It isn't just about any ordinary chocolate but honest to goodness, guilt-free good for you chocolate!
You and I love chocolate. And we are not alone. Did you know that 9 out of 10 people crave chocolate? And 1 out every 2 people eat it every day? Outstanding!
But I promised to tell you about chocolate that was guilt-free and good for you too. First though I'd like to talk about something called antioxidants. Perhaps your healthcare professional has talked with you and suggested that you might need more antioxidants in your diet?
What are anti-oxidants? Antioxidants are molecules which prevent the damaging effects of free radicals in the body. The damage caused by the oxygen free radicals is called oxidation.So what is oxidation? Have you ever seen an old car with great chunks of rust on it? That rust is oxidation. Or think of a banana that has turned brown. That too is oxidation.
Less than 10% of North Americans are consuming enough of the fruits and vegetables recommended to obtain the necessary recommended amount of antioxidants that our bodies need to fight off the effects of oxidation.
Did you know that heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and other age-related diseases have been linked to free radical damage?
Cacao (cocoa) is the highest antioxidant food in the world!
Yes, that right! Unprocessed raw cacao (raw chocolate) is the highest source of antioxidants in the world. Cacao beans contain over 300 chemically identifiable compounds making it one of the most complex food supplements in the world.
Unprocessed raw cacao is packed with potent antioxidants called flavonoids. Research has demonstrated that flavonoids play an important role in protecting the cacao plant. Further research has concluded that these same natural protective compounds in cacao beans when consumed by humans improves health by protecting cells from the damaging effects of free radicals
More recently recognized, also, is the importance of the Acai berry found deep in the Amazon jungle. The Acai berry has been described as nature's most complete food not only because it is bursting with antioxidants but also because it is loaded with omega six and omega nine fatty acids, eight of the nine essential amino acids, calcium, iron and it has a protein composition similar to eggs. The Acai berry is the second highest source of antioxidants in the world. It has over 14 times more antioxidants than raw spinach.
The combination of the world's two greatest super foods, the raw cacao and the Acai berry which are found exclusively in all Xocai products is the MXI Corp. soluton.
Xocai products are produced with rich unprocessed non- alkalized, non-lecithinized cacao powder that is high in antioxidants due to a closely monitored fermentation, drying and roasting process.
Xocai products are the perfect delivery system for the antioxidants your body needs while eliminating almost all of the fat and sugar typically found in other chocolate products.
Now you can eat chocolate guilt free.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
I love chocolate
Xocai products are produced with unprocessed, non-alkalized, non-lecithinized cacao powder, combined with the Acai berry and blueberries. The combination of these ingredients, in their natural state, provide a product that is packed full of the most powerful antioxidants! Chocolate products on store shelves use processed cocoa powder and sugars, along with bad fats, fillers, waxes, preservatives, and they contain a high amount of calories!
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