We keep hearing a lot about anti-oxidants and some of us know that it is sort of useful so we pop anti-oxidant pills. Antioxidants have been linked to a variety of benefits starting from treatment of arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, hypertension, asthma, infertility and the latest to create ripples is the anti-aging effects of anti-oxidants. So what is so special about antioxidants that they can cure so many diseases?
The common factor in all health problems and degeneration of the human body is a process called oxidation. What actually happens is that environmental toxins, radiation, pollution, emotional stress, bad diets, pesticides in food, all lead to a process in which a killer is released called a free radical and this is generated within the body, this free radical circulates in the body and destroys cells, enzymes and tissues wherever it travels. This process leads to a slow and progressive breakdown of the body.
In-fact in researches done on laboratory animals it has been well documented time and again that feeding an optimal calorie diet containing foods with antioxidant properties makes them live 40% longer and also has an amazing improvement in health.
Low levels of vitamin A and E is associated with Alzheimer’s, lung cancer. Low vitamin C is associated with cataracts. Low levels of vitamin C and E were associated with heart disease.
Antioxidants also boost the immunity and has shown promising results in degenerative diseases and fatal diseases like cancer and even HIV.
The star antioxidants are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B, selenium and zinc.
Sources of Antioxidants
- The richest source of antioxidants are foods in their natural state.
- Sprouts of mung, channa, lobhia, alfa-alfa, beans, (sprouts have been called the fountain of youth)
- Green vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, peas, capsicum, green leafy vegetables like methi, bathua, sarson (mustard greens).
- Vegetable juices, fruits (should be eaten on an empty stomach to get the best benefit).
- Good sources of vitamin E like walnuts, almonds and other oil seeds.
A nice article .