>> what are anti oxidants? >> good foods to eat
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Why Do We Need Anti Oxidants?
Oxidisation is the natural result of our cells using oxygen. When cells are oxidised they produce free radicals, which damage & age our cells.
Anti-oxidants are first line defense against free radicals, the more anti-oxidants we have the better!
Anti-oxidants act as scavengers in our bodies hunting down free radicals & repairing any cell damage they have caused - slowing the aging of our cells.
Anti-oxidants are found in vitamins & enzymes (raw food)
Trace metals are vital for anti-oxidants to function. We need a broad range of anti-oxidants from vitamins & enzymes in order to work well.
Experiment
Shows how anti-oxidants help protect living cells from oxidization.
1.Cut an apple in half
2.One half is left open to the air
3.Dip the other half in orange juice - it contains the anti-oxidant vitamin C
4.Leave apples exposed to the air
Conclusion
- The apple half exposed to oxygen aged & turned brown quickly
- The anti-oxidants in the orange juice protected the apple & slowed the browning process
| Anti-Oxidant Rich Foods There is no one source of anti-oxidant that is superior to another. It is important to eat a broad range of anti-oxidant foods as all the different anti-oxidants need to work together to get their important jobs done. These vitamins & minerals are anti-oxidants & can be found in the following foods...  Beta-carotene comes from plants, our body turns it into vitamin A. Clever stuff. Apricots, asparagus, broccoli, cantaloupe melon, carrots, kale, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, watermelon  Vitamin C Blackcurrants, broccoli, brussel sprouts, grapefruit, green bell, pepper, guava, kale, kiwi fruits, lemons, limes, oranges, papayas, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, watercress  Vitamin E Almonds, corn oil, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds & oil, walnuts, wheat germ, wholewheat flour  Selenium Selenium works with vitamin E as a powerful anti-oxidant. Avocados, broccoli, cabbage, celery, egg yolks, garlic, lentils, mushrooms, onions, wheat germ, whole grain  Sulphur Cabbage, eggs, garlic, milk, onions, wheat germ Manganese Avocados, barley, blackberries, brown rice, buckwheat, chestnuts, ginger, hazelnuts, oats, peas, pecans, seaweed, spinach Zinc Egg yolks, molasses, peanuts, sesame seeds, soy beans, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, whole grains |
alkaline foods
Our bodies use food as fuel to help us grow, provide energy & make general repairs along the way. When our body 'burns' fuel we are left with 'ashes'. Acid forming foods leave acidic ashes, alkaline foods leave alkaline ashes.
On average a 70% alkaline & 30% acid food is a balanced diet- but we are all our own forces of nature. Sweeping generalisations are very easy to make.
acid foods
Don't shoot the messenger but it would seem the worst acid forming foods are: beer, coffee, black tea, sweetened fruit juice, pickles & liquor.
you know best
You hold all the answers to your own state of well being -
no one knows you better than you. Food or medicine won't heal you if you don't look at what emotions caused the dis-ease in the first place.
glutathione
The 'master anti-oxidant' all other anti-oxidants rely on this one to work properly. So your body can produce enough, you can help by eating a variety of foods that help. Asparagus, broccoli, avocado & spinach.
vitamin A & carotenoids
Look for brightly coloured foods: carrots, peppers, broccoli, sweet potato, greens, tomatoes & cauliflower.
vitamin C
Broccoli, brussel sprouts, green bell pepper, kale, spinach, tomatoes, watercress - all greens.
flavonoids/ polyphenols
Green tea, onion, kale, green beans, broccoli, celery, tomato, peppers, cabbage, carrots & peas.
vitamin E
Almonds & sunflower seeds are the most potent food sources of vitamin E.
Greens are great too.
lycopene
Tomatoes are the best source. Vine ripened tomatoes show the highest levels of lycopene. Pink grapefruit is also a good source.
lutein
Greens are hands down the best source.
lignan
Flax seed oil is the best source. Sesame seeds are great too. Greens!
