Healing Power of Antioxidants
Understanding the Health Benefits of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are various chemical substances with the ability to support healthy cells from free radicals and their potential damage. There are various types of antioxidants in our bodies and with many people searching for the healing power of antioxidants.
While our body does produce some types of antioxidants, the majority of the antioxidants that are found in our bodies come from food or supplemental sources. With current evidence supporting the effectiveness of antioxidants derived from food, the same cannot be said about the antioxidants delivered through supplements.
Antioxidant Basics
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has lists of examples that are considered to be antioxidant substances. The list of antioxidants includes coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, beta-carotene, vitamins E and C, flavonoids, anthocyanins, lycopene and lutein.
The NCCIH recommends providing your body with these antioxidants through common food such as oats; nuts, such as pecans and walnuts; legumes; fruits, such as apples and cherries; berries, such as blackberries and raspberries; vegetables, such as artichokes and sweet potatoes; green tea; and dark chocolate.
With regards to supplements that will provide your body with antioxidants, it is recommended to stay with natural products versus synthetic. The human body will absorb and more readily use natural products. Great examples of products that provide your body with powerful antioxidants are Premium Noni and Trifusion Max. Both of these juices contain powerful fruits that have high concentrations of antioxidant properties.
Oxidation and Free Radicals
Antioxidants may counter the harmful effects of a natural process called oxidation, according to the NCCIH. This process occurs as a natural part of cellular metabolism, in addition to occurring when your body uses or stores food nutrients and when you receive exposure to environmental irritants such as radiation and tobacco smoke. Oxidation triggers the formation of unstable free radicals, which scientists believe contribute to the development of a wide array of serious ailments, including heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.*
Varying Benefits of Antioxidants
Antioxidants derived from the diet might deliver superior health advantages when compared to nutritional supplement sources, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is due partially to the sheer varieties of different antioxidant substances contained in various foods. Medical professionals simply do not know which particular antioxidants may help defend your body the best in any given condition, and eating the largest array of substances in food sources might provide you with the greatest opportunity of reducing harmful oxidation. Furthermore, foods with high amounts of antioxidants are usually high in protein, fibre and low in potentially harmful substances such as cholesterol and saturated fat.
Antioxidant Considerations
Use of antioxidants from food or supplement sources may not provide you with any actual treatment benefits, the NCCIH reports.* Individuals who get antioxidants from food sources tend to have lower risks for a chronic disease but researchers can not specifically state that these benefits come from antioxidant use.*
In addition to this, the health benefits of antioxidants that are received through supplements are still underway. The preliminary reports are looking promising; however, researchers want to be sure that what they have found does indeed help one’s overall health.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products listed on Engineered Lifestyles are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For our full product disclaimer here.