Antioxidants Naturally Found in Foods
There are many kinds of free radicals. As we digest our food, our body forms free radicals. When we are exposed to pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and herbicides to name a few, we take on more free radicals. Every cell produces tens of thousands of these. Free radicals damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
Antioxidants fight to neutralize the work of these free radicals.
- Why do we need to eat foods found to be naturally high in antioxidants?
- Which foods do we need to eat, in order to naturally fight free radicals?
Advantages In Antioxidants
You gain advantage over free radicals when you use natural antioxidants to fortify your body against the advancement of fibromyalgia. The nutrients in natural foods speed healing to all areas of your body. There are many ways to take advantage of antioxidants. If you have fibromyalgia you will need to stock-up on the foods listed below. The best way is thru foods and natural supplements. So, which antioxidants are naturally found in which foods?
Vitamin E: a fat-soluble vitamin found in vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals. Some of the foods containing the highest amounts of vitamin E are wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, hazelnuts, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, kiwi and mango. Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin involved in the metabolism of all cells. It protects vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body cells and prevents breakdown of body tissues.
Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, cabbage, green peppers, broccoli, spinach, tomato, kale, guava, cantaloupe, kiwi, papaya, and strawberries. It is important in forming collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron, and helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth.
Many studies have proven beta-carotene’s effectiveness for health and fibromyalgia.
Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A. It is present in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains. Beta-carotene is one of the best known carotenoids, the coloring in our orange and yellow vegetables. This antioxidant fights against the damage done by free-radicals. Studies have been done on beta-carotene’s effectiveness for heart disease, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia, male infertility, and psoriasis.
Berries: One landmark study shows that just one cup of berries provides all the disease-fighting antioxidants you may need in a 24-hour day. Berries are full of color and body fortifying substance. Cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries ranked highest on antioxidant levels and other nutrients! Berries are available year round.
Co-enzyme Q10: CoQ10 boosts energy, enhances the immune system, and acts as an antioxidant. A growing body of research suggests that co-enzyme Q10 may help prevent or treat some of the following conditions: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and others. Primary dietary sources of CoQ10 include oily fish, organ meats such as liver, spinach, broccoli, peanuts, wheat germ and whole grains.
Selenium: Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts. It helps synthesize antibodies; helps synthesize co-enzyme Q10 and helps transport ions across cell membranes. The best sources of selenium are Brazil nuts, wheat germ, molasses, sunflower seeds, whole wheat bread and dairy foods.
Of course, there are so many other foods that are full of antioxidants, but the above foods are some of the best sources. The best way to take antioxidants is naturally, through fresh, vibrant food. Here’s to your health!