Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. This is due to their high antioxidant value. Why are antioxidants so important? Because they have a proven track record of fighting free radicals.
Your body is being constantly attacked by very harmful substances known as free radicals or oxygen radicals. Free radicals can destroy your cells, tissues and organs.
Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are naturally formed inside our bodies by the process of oxidation. They are normal by products of everyday functions like digestion and physical activity. Free radicals also come from outside sources, such as smoking, environmental pollution, and synthetic chemicals that are added to our water and food.
We are also all exposed daily to polluted air, ingest oxidized or partially rancid foods, and oxidizing radiations from the sun and various electrical appliances.
Free radicals lack one electron making them chemically unstable. To stabilize themselves, they attack any other substance within reach and steel an electron from it. This process creates a new free radical, which repeats the process, producing a "domino effect." When this reaction is uncontrolled, it can generate millions of free radicals within seconds.
Fortunately our bodies come equipped with a free radical fighting mechanism. It consists of specialized enzymes that have a "spare" electron that they can give away without turning into free radicals. In order to protect us, the enzymes need help from certain substances known as antioxidants.
The antioxidant value of any food or supplement can be determined by it's ORAC rating. ORAC means Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. According to the University of Michigan, Comprehensive Cancer Center, the measurement of ORAC is a way to measure how many oxygen radicals a specific food can absorb. The more oxygen radicals a food can absorb, the higher its ORAC score. The higher its score... the more that food or supplement will help you fight diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Most experts agree that we should consume 5,000 ORAC units per day to effectively fight free radicals in the body. Sadly, most of us average around 1,200 units per day. Not nearly enough to protect us from the common ciseases of aging.
One of the best sources of antioxidants are berries and fruits. Most of us would have a very hard time eating the large amounts necessary to reach 5,000 ORAC units per day. For this reason, high ORAC supplements have been created. They contain berry and fruit extracts with a known ORAC rating. These supplements are inexpensive and provide many health benefits to your entire body and brain. Many people use these supplements as part of an anti-aging program. Keeping your cells from being destroyed goes a long way to staying healthy and young.
About the author: Brad Bahr is the author of many health related articles and websites. He has been testing and reviewing health supplements for many years. You can find more interesting health related articles at his website: http://www.findustuff.com
custom home cleaning Wilmette ..Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
If you are like most people, you don't enjoy the... Read More
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
Studies on whey demonstrate it's an even better protein supplement... Read More
Strict "no carb" phases of low carb diets have developed... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
THE RISKNo doubt you've heard of the increasingly popular "raw... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending... Read More
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in... Read More
You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within.... Read More
Evidence suggesting that alcohol is "cardio-protective" first appeared in the... Read More
In order to eat fewer calories than you need, you... Read More
Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or... Read More
The Mediterranean Diet is now recognized as one of the... Read More
Every where you look you see articles or news or... Read More
The word 'homeostasis' is made up of two Greek words:... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
Since the 1930's the western diet has dramatically changed. This... Read More
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992,... Read More
same day cleaning service Morton Grove ..There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
You've no doubt heard the saying, "You are what you... Read More
I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily... Read More
Having a personal wellness program has become a concern for... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
Americans are literally running out of time. Achieving a work-life... Read More
When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More
How Can... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
Although many realize that the liver has its own cleansing... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
While there are many effective ways to get more energy... Read More
Tired of having stare-downs with those boxes of Krispy Kremes,... Read More
What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
A lot of people I've talked with about health supplements... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in... Read More
Nutrition |