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
home cleaning services Deerfield ..You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a... Read More
Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More
Much controversy and argument surrounds the idea that food may... Read More
"You are what you eat."Does it sound familiar? You probably... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on... Read More
Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More
Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn... Read More
Fire ElementAccording to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are five... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the... Read More
This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More
Eating orange mean absorbing vitamin C to our body, is... Read More
Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More
What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm... Read More
recurring housekeeping Highland Park ..Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than... Read More
What is your brain made ofOver 50% of your brain... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
With today's time constraints, stressful jobs, and "thin is in"... Read More
The Zone Diet has been around since around 1995, when... Read More
Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More
As a low carb dieter, your diet is undoubtedly high... Read More
All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More
Ionized minerals, colloidal minerals, chelated minerals . . . What... Read More
Do you notice your child putting off going to the... Read More
It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on... Read More
Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin... Read More
Established in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, "Foundation for Innovation in... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
The key to better health is learning the difference between... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily... Read More
People who consume too much alcohol have good chance of... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm... Read More
Nutrition |