"Do you know what ANTIOXIDANT NUTRITION really does, how it works, and how to make sure you the athlete or fitness person is taking advantage of their many important benefits?" With so many opinions, research, and personal testimonies out there, what information can be trusted as reliable?
No doubt you've heard about "ANTIOXIDANTS". You see advertisements for everything from fruit juices to dietary supplements touting antioxidant benefits. Go to your favorite grocery store and intentionally look around. The word "ANTIOXIDANT" will really standout! The question "Why is everyone on the Antioxidant bandwagon all of a sudden?", needs to be investigated.
"PURPOSE OF ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION"
Without falling into the trap of following a great deal of unnecessary information, a good place to begin is to ask an obvious question. That is -
"WHAT DO ANTIOXIDANTS REALLY DO FOR OUR BODIES?"
Antioxidants are a group of chemical compounds that protect against free radicals. Free Radicals are highly reactive molecules produced naturally, or induced by exposure to things like radiation, certain chemical pollutants, or other sources.
When free radicals come into contact with healthy cell membranes, they cause damage to the membrane and may ultimately cause the cell to die. Antioxidants prevent this damage by stopping the free radical and thus helping maintain health and proper function of the cell.
"WHAT ARE FREE RADICALS?"
As already mentioned, Free Radicals are a specific type of molecule that can damage muscle tissue, fats, and DNA within cells. The most common free radicals in the body are created from oxygen. Think of oxygen as the body's ATM for funding every metabolic transaction. Oxygen is needed to make the human heart beat, the digestive system needs it to absorb nutrients from the food we consume, and helps our muscles to contract to produce functional movements needed.
Oxygen is found in every molecule of water (which makes makes up 70% of the body). During physical activity, oxygen helps muscles utilize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to help athletes or fitness enthusiasts run faster, lift more resistance, and work for extended periods of time at high levels.
It is true the human body must metabolize a great deal of oxygen when an athlete or fitness enthusiast works out. Obviously, working out is essential to our health and has many benefits. There is also a "Dark Side" to working out. That is the production of free radicals!
As the oxygen molecules are metabolized, they either partner up with other molecules in the body or remain unpaired. These unpaired "loners" are free radicals - FREE because they are not bonded to other molecules, RADICALS because their chemical structure makes them unstable and prone to react with other substances.
"THE EFFECTS OF FREE RADICALS"
Free Radicals will have short term and long term effects. In SHORT TERM free radical damage can reduce muscle power, endurance, contributes to fatique, initiates muscle soreness, and contributes to injuries. LONG TERM effects from free radicals can weaken the immune system, play a role in the development of everything from heart disease, cancer, cataracts, diabetes, arthritus, premature aging and several other chronic conditions. Over time, the damage from free radicals to the tissues and organs accumulates and the pace of cellular mutations accelerates, eventually reaching a point where the body can't repair or dispose of damaged cells fast enough. The results can be life threatening!
"ANTIOXIDANTS TO THE RESCUE"
The body produces some antioxidants on its own in the form of certain enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase), which change the structure of free radicals and breaks them down. These enzymes essentially scavenge for and destroy free radicals throughout the body. These are known as endogenous antioxidants.
To support the efforts of the endogenous antioxidants, we as humans need to consume antioxidants through a diet rich in antioxidant nutrition. These antioxidants are known as exogenous. Vitamins A (carotenoids), C, and E, selenium, and various flavonoids. All these substances can help prevent free radical damage, and together with the body's natural antioxidants (endogenous), they are the main source of protection for muscles and other tissues.
"WHERE DO ANTIOXIDANTS COME FROM?"
Antioxidants are found abundantly in fruits and vegetables. They are also found in other types of nutritious foods such as nuts, oils, beans, etc. Research studies suggest that organic foods have higher concentrations of antioxidants than processed foods grown with pesticides.
Antioxidants are also found in high quality vitamin and mineralsupplements. This is especially important to know because most adults do not eat the right foods to properly feed their cells.
ANTIOXIDANT NUTRITION is the primary chemical line of defense against the "Dark Side" impact of free radical damage. Not only will antioxidants protect against free radicals, they will also help repair cells already impacted by free radical damage. For example, a recent study published in June 2006 found that NINGXIA RED WOLFBERRY polysaccharies was able to almost completely reverse the DNA and oxidative damage caused by diabetes.
SUMMARY:
Antioxidants are a group of chemical compounds that protect
against free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive
molecules produced naturally, or induced by exposure to things
like radiation, certain chemical pollutants, or other sources.
Free Radicals will have short term and long term effects. Over time, the damage from free radicals to the tissues and organs accumulates and the pace of cellular mutations accelerates, eventually reaching a point where the body can't repair or dispose of damaged cells fast enough. The results can be life threatening! This is why preserving the antioxidant nutrition status in the body is of enormous concern. The simplest way to maximize antioxidant levels is to follow a diet high in antioxidant nutrition!!!!
NINGXIA RED The World's Most Powerful Antioxidant Juice
ANTIOXIDANT NUTRITION, ANTIOXIDANT NUTRITION Professional Link Partners:
THE MASTER ANTIOXIDANTThis unique and knowledgeable site is about sharing how glutathione can make us healthy and beautiful. It explains everything about glutathione including its synthesis, skin whitening effect, action against oxidative stress, and how this master antioxidant can help in various diseases and disorders.
IMMUNEHEALTHSCIENCE.COMpurpose is to provide information and practical means of building a healthy immune system naturally. If you want to maximize your knowledge about the benefits of Antioxidants, please visit this very informative website!
WHY JUST BUILD A WEBSITE? BUILD A WEBSITE THAT WORKS!
Subscribe To This Site
Oxygen is found in every molecule of water (which makes makes up 70% of the body). During physical activity, oxygen helps muscles utilize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to help athletes or fitness enthusiasts run faster, lift more resistance, and work for extended periods of time at high levels.
