Slower Aging By Antioxidants

Since the creation of time the world has been searching for the subtle fountain of youth. As we mature we all seem to drop that young at heart dynamism and we all get to the point where we would like to come across and feel younger. But, it may be feasible that the fountain of youth has been with us all along and we just didn't recognize it.

Science has demonstrated that the basis of the majority of age-related decline, most diseases and other disorders are caused by free radicals. A free radical is a very unbalanced molecule that is formed during oxidative processes within the body. A free radical is actually a molecule that has an unpaired electron. Since nearly all processes in our bodies need oxygen we are incessantly creating free radicals. The oxygen molecules that we take in are regularly compromised due to environmental pollutants, cigarette smoke and even the natural processes of our bodies similar to digestion. When the oxygen molecule loses an electron it will stabilize itself by stealing an electron from another molecule. This is what creates a free radical.

A free radical is an unpaired oxygen molecule. They are highly unstable and in surplus they can generate many harms within our bodies. While the fact is that we cannot stay away from free radicals and we in reality need some of them for our bodily functions, when we have too many of them they become damaging to our cells and they contribute to many disorders including grave diseases and the tribulations of aging decline.

The key to these tribulations has been provided for us by nature. The healthiest foods in nature impart strong nutrients called antioxidants. Antioxidants actually come in and supply the absent electron to the free radical thereby stabilizing it and preventing additional destruction. Because of that a regime that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other healthy foods is really a fountain of youth. The retardation of free radical damage contributes greatly to the healthy, vivacious youth that we want to retain.

The retardation of free radical damage by antioxidants is an continuing progression. It is really a cycle and more free radicals are formed as the other free radicals are neutralized. Hence antioxidants must be constantly replaced in our bodies. The best and safest way to eat antioxidants is through the intake of a healthy diet. A bare minimum of 5 fruits and vegetables should be consumed every day and 8 to 10 servings of wholesome produce is even superior.

Antioxidant capacity in food is measured by what is referred to as the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC. The ORAC is a number that corresponds with the amount of antioxidants qualities in that food. Foods with high ORAC scores include spinach, kale, oranges, sweet potatoes and others. Most berries have high ORAC scores including cranberries, blueberries and the acai berry. The acai berry actually has one of the record ORAC scores ever found in nature.

To enhance your antioxidant intake it is sensible to eat a significant assortment of nourishing foods. One solo antioxidant will not give you the same results as many. The strength of antioxidants comes from the synergy of the nutrients. They harmonize each other and grow to be stronger when united together. That is one reason why it has been demonstrated that it is much more effectual to get your antioxidants from food and diet rather than supplements.

Nature has provided us the obscure fountain of youth that we have been looking for. The humorous thing is that we had it all along we just didn't realize it. If you want to stave off the effects of aging make sure that you devour a substantial diversity of nourishing antioxidants in your diet.