Liver Enzymes Wikipedia
The Need For Antioxidants by Michael Pearson
Every day the human body is exposed to various toxins from pollution. Highly processed foods, exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, pesticides, herbicides and many other pollutants are in our daily environment. We accept this as part of industrial progress. However, our bodies are dealt damaging blows each and every day from this assault.
The environment and pollution are full of free radicals that invade the body and cause harm. Wikipedia explains free radicals: “The theory of free radicals on aging states that organisms age because cells accumulate free radical damage over time. A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell. While a few free radicals such as melanin are not chemically reactive, most biologically relevant free radicals are highly reactive. For most biological structures, free radical damage is closely associated with oxidative damage. Antioxidants are reducing agents and limit oxidative damage to biological structures by passivating free radicals.”
Free radicals cause a variety of problems for the human body. These include premature aging, mental detritions, liver damage, poor circulation, bruising, heart disease, a lack of energy, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, artherosclerosis and cancer. With a laundry list of this magnitude it is clear we need to be vigil in our efforts to maintain healthy antioxidant levels in our bodies.
Nature provides us with many sources from which we can draw upon for antioxidants. Vitamin E can be found in whole grains, wheat germ oil, egg yolks, nuts and seeds, and leafy green vegetables. Vegetable oils such as corn oil, safflower, soybean, olive oil and canola oil contain significant amounts of vitamin E.
Supplementation has been shown to be the most effective way to supply the body with vitamin E. Doses range from 100 mg. to 1,000 mg. and are a more efficient way to obtain vitamin E.
Vitamin C, another water-soluble vitamin like E, has its own natural sources. They include citrus fruits, potatoes, broccoli, strawberry, pineapple, red peppers, currants, cranberries, melons and parsley. Vitamin C can be found in every cell of the body, much like glutathione.
Vitamin C is especially crucial in certain systems of the body including teeth, bones, the nervous system, blood, skin and glands such as thyroid, thymus and the edrenal glands. While you can find vitamin C in many foods, supplementation will insure you keep your C levels high. Taking 100 to 500 mg. in the morning and 100 to 500 mg. in the early afternoon will keep levels constant.
Vitamin B2 is commonly found in eggs, dairy products and meat products. It is usually referred as Riboflavin, a member of the B complex family. It is another water soluble vitamin. It is excreted like C and E each time we sweat or urinate.
Coenzyme Q10 is found in fish and meat. Cystine, another excellent antioxidant is found in most high protein foods. Herbs such as turmeric, bilberry and grape seed are also rich sources of antioxidants.
Consuming a wide variety of minerals, herbs, enzymes and vitamins is the best way to insure your body has enough antioxidants. Many people use a vitamin/mineral supplement specifically formulated to fight free radicals.
About the Author
Michael is a 62 year young man who began training with weights in 1970. With his 40 years of experience of being a gym rat he has seen many fads come and go. He has a health and fitness site and blog where he shares information. There are free reports,ebooks, articles, photos,and products he endorses. Go to http://www.fit50andbeyond.com.
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