Antioxidants  -  Powerful Cell Food

Antioxidants are a powerful cell food. As we live our lives, we are continually attacked. With each breath we take, our bodies naturally produce molecular raiders known as free radicals. These free radicals (which our bodies also create due to pollution, chemicals, foods, and other lifestyle choices) attack our cells, often resulting in a wide range of health problems. Experts note that these damaging molecules are linked to many of today's most frequent diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, cataracts, and immune disorders. They may also be responsible for the "cosmetic" signs of aging, such as wrinkles and liver spots.

To combat free radicals, our bodies produce enzyme antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from unleashing the dogs of war on our bodies. Under normal conditions, the body's natural antioxidants are sufficient. But who lives in "normal" conditions? Today's lifestyle, with our constant exposure to pollution, stress, and chemicals, creates an overload of free radicals, and the body's natural enzyme antioxidants cannot keep up. This means we must get more, and the place to look to is our diet and supplementation. Fruits and vegetables contain an abundance of antioxidants, and today's technology gives us a large choice in supplements. Antioxidants also appear to "target" different parts of the body and different health concerns, so try to consume a variety of antioxidant-rich foods and supplements.

Here is a list of antioxidants, the foods that contain them and their benefits.