The Power Of Antioxidants

We are going to explore a very important subject that is directly related to both aging and disease: Free Radicals. You are probably familiar with free radicals, also called Oxygen Radicals. Basically, they are highly unstable molecules that are missing one electron. What they do is travel throughout your body attacking cells, trying to steal the electron they are missing.

This electron thieving is very detrimental and damaging to your body's cells. It creates one of two outcomes: 1- the cell dies, or 2- the cell is damaged but continues functioning. Once damaged, the cell has a much higher likelihood of becoming cancerous and causing other diseases and disorders.

Each time a cell is attacked by a free radical and continues living, it draws closer to becoming a cancer cell. This is because over time free radicals will actually mutate the genetic code of that cell, causing it to become cancerous.

I hope you are starting to see the serious implications of having free radicals loose in your body. And it is important to understand that free radicals are very prevalent in today's society. They come from pollution, processed foods, the very air we breathe, and even from our own bodies. It is impossible to live in a world free of free radicals.

So is there a solution that is capable of dealing with free radicals before they damage the cells of your body? Yes. Antioxidants are the solution. An antioxidant is a substance that has an extra electron it can freely give away. So, when a free radical finds an antioxidant molecule it is able to steal the extra electron it is missing and then it becomes neutralized.

The true king of antioxidants is a flavonoid called EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate). It is the antioxidant found in green and white tea, which is why studies of late have revealed the incredible health benefits people receive when they drink green and white teas. This amazing antioxidant actually seeks out free radicals and neutralizes them, and it finds and kills cells that are already cancerous.

Now, it is important to know that an antioxidant molecule can only provide the missing electron a free radical steals one time. This proves the critical importance of having a continuous stream of antioxidants flowing into your body. Ideally, you want to have more antioxidants present than free radicals. This will keep your cells healthier, longer which greatly slows the aging process and makes you much more resistant to disease.

If you want to look and feel great for the rest of your life it is critical that you take in liberal amounts antioxidants everyday. This practice alone will make a great impact on your overall health and well-being.

Related Antioxidants Articles

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    Oxidation is the process where oxygen in the body burns glucose and fat to provide the body with heat and energy. This is a naturally occurring process that is part of living and is necessary for our bodies to have the energy they need. Oxidation, though, creates some by products that have negative effects on our bodies.

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    People are living longer now than ever. You've heard the expression "40 is the new 30," right? Unfortunately, the process of aging is inevitable. Scientists have discovered that our cells can only divide so many times during our lifetime before they give out. By the time we are 20 years old, most of the cells in our body have already used up half of their available cell divisions in their cell lifespan. By the time we are 40, our cells may only have 30% of their cell divisions left. This is why we age and see the physical changes that goes on inside and outside our bodies. You really can't fight getting aging.

  • Antioxidant Effects Of Green Tea

    Through the process of oxidation, oxygen starts the process of burning glucose and fat to provide heat and energy in the body. Although this is an inevitable and naturally occurring process which gives our bodies the energy we need; the process of oxidation creates some by-products that have negative effects to our body.

  • Antioxidant Research - Key Facts

    Oxidation is a normal process within our bodies that contributes significantly to aging. Oxidation causes the production of free radicals which damage other cells in the body and lead to aging. Since this link was made between degenerative diseases and free radicals, scientists have focused on antioxidants. Antioxidants work against free radicals by neutralizing them, preventing the damage they cause and even repairing the damage they do. Antioxidants are essential to our bodies.

  • Essential Information About Antioxidants

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  • Weight Loss From Green Tea Antioxidants

    Chinese folklore claims that green tea was discovered when plant leaves accidentally dropped into a pot of water that the emperor was boiling. The emperor was pleased with the smell coming from the pot and green tea came to be. For centuries, the properties of green tea have helped people live happy lives. Chinese let children as young as three months old drink green tea for its health benefits. Green tea is used to treat everything from indigestion to arthritis.

  • ORAC Score And Antioxidants Explained

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