Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Mother Nature's Disease Fighter

By Dr. Jerimiah Crossderd

A recent article fro the Mayo clinic health letter states that study conclude that there is minimal benefits when trying to obtain antioxidants from dietary supplements. The report goes on to say that the optimal way in receiving a healthy dose of antioxidants is to eat foods that are rich with in it. Some of these foods include:

vitamins C and E

carotene

lycopene

lutein

It's possible that many other substances play a role is diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, and cardiovascular diseases. Antioxidants have long been thought to fight off free radicals which is a byproduct of a natural cell's metabolism.

The process of the body producing antioxidants is not very efficient and usually declines with the onset of age.

Tests reveal that those who eat antioxidant rich foods get many health benefits. Foods, rather than supplements, may boost antioxidant levels because foods contain an unmatchable array of antioxidant substances.

A dietary pill may contain a single type of antioxidant or at the most several. However, foods contain thousands of types of antioxidants, and its not known which of these substances offer the benefits. Some of the better food sources of antioxidants are:

Berry Group: Acai Berry, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries

Bean Group: Tiny red beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans

Fruits: Many apple varieties (with peels), avocados, cherries, green and red pears, fresh or dried plums, pineapple, oranges, and kiwi

Vegetables: Artichokes, spinach, red cabbage, red and white potatoes (with peels), sweet potatoes and broccoli

Drinks: green tea, coffee, red wine, acai berry juice

Nuts: Walnuts, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts and almonds

Herbs: Ground cloves, cinnamon or ginger, dried oregano leaf and turmeric powder

Grains: Oats

Desserts: Dark chocolates

Though supplements containing antioxidants are generally considered safe, two recent studies have suggested that taking higher than recommended doses of supplements such as vitamin E over time may actually be harmful and possibly toxic.

This is not true in many of the foods that have higher antioxidants and offer many other health benefits such as high fiber, protein and saturated fats.

There is currently no guideline by the government for which antioxidants to consume as well as how many to take as part of their daily diet--this is also the case for vitamins and minerals. A major reason to this is due to a general consensus amongst researchers.

It is encouraged for the time being to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables that have a high concentration of amino acids like cranberries.

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