Antioxidant Basics

Having and/or consuming enough antioxidants may help prevent and stop tumor growth. AND helps reverse symptoms of aging and painful degenerative diseases.

Antioxidants help kill free radicals that cause mutated cell growth (tumors). Free radicals are by-products of your metabolic processes. Caused by:

1. Insufficient nutrition
2. Inadequate detoxification
3. Stress and exposure to environmental pollutants.

When your lifestyle produces more free radicals than your antioxidants can get rid of, you age. And you become a favorable environment for painful, degenerative diseases.

About Free Radicals

They are the cause of much ill health, from common symptoms of aging, all the way to serious degenerative diseases.

You may have heard that some degenerative diseases have actually been cured – withOUT mainstream medicine. It’s easy to find healing testimonials about alternative treatments that work. Sadly, what works for one body does not work for all bodies. But the underlying cause of disease remains the same for everyone, and free radicals are high on the list.

Free radicals are released in reaction to many common situations:

• Environmental pollution
• Processed food – poor diet
• Alcohol, smoking, drugs
• Stress.

The causes are everywhere – all the time. Free radicals are why we age and succumb to disease.

Antioxidants are the Antidote for Free Radicals

Antioxidants are essential molecules that help your body combat harmful free radicals. These unstable compounds can cause damage if their levels become too high.

Your body naturally regulates its continuous cycle of cellular birth and death, making sure that no mistakes happen.

When your body does not have enough antioxidants on board, free radicals cause cellular mistakes. They mess up natural cell repairs and allow cell mutations to increase the potential for disease. Mutated cells become virtually immortal and reproduce indefinitely, while abandoning their intended function. They often grow as tumors.

Science has proven that free radical reproduction can be slowed or even stopped with antioxidant supplementation. This holds true for rejuvenation, too.

Some Types of Antioxidants

Please note that many Antioxidants are part of a team that needs the whole line-up to work efficiently. The following substances act as antioxidants, IF the whole line-up of nutrients are present:

Algae

Although the nutrients in Algae act as antioxidants, there are many other health benefits. It contains Astaxanthin that also helps reduce inflammation for natural body repairs. Excellent for athletes and people with age-related health conditions.

Beta-Carotene

Type of carotenoid found in colorful fruits and vegetables. It converts to vitamin A in the body and supports vision and skin health.

Coenzyme Q10 (Ultimate Q10) supports energy production and may improve immunity and cardiovascular health.

Curcuminoids

Derived from turmeric, curcuminoids have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Ellagitannins are compounds found in various fruits and vegetables. When consumed, your body converts them into Ellagic Acid, which is a powerful antioxidant. It neutralizes harmful free radicals, protecting your cells from oxidative stress. Ellagic acid also fights inflammation, and is good for brain and skin health. See “Antioxidant: Ellagitannins from Ellagic Acid”

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Excellent natural anti-inflammatory.  May help improve:

• Poor complexion and red inflamed skin
• May reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose
• Helps lower risk of blood clots
• May slow the growth rate of some tumors.
• May help with Premenstrual Syndrome
• Helps relieve digestive troubles
• May improve poor brain functioning and extreme sad moods.
• May improve chronic low energy
• Helps boost compromised immunity.
• May improve decreased libido or impotence.

For children, insufficient intake of Essential Fats may impair brain development.

Flavonoids

Plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Glutathione

A powerful antioxidant produced by the body. It helps detoxify harmful substances and supports overall health. Works as an antioxidant by detoxifying. Combats free radical damage. May reduce pain from inflammation and pain and helps boost moods.

Hydrogen

These supplements reduce free radicals. They support immunity and boost physical and mental energy.

Lipoic Acid

Regenerates other antioxidants like vitamins C and E.

Phenols and Polyphenols

Abundant in green tea, red wine and fruits, they have diverse health benefits.

Selenium

This trace mineral plays a crucial role in antioxidant enzyme systems.

Vitamins: Multi and Vitamins: Single

Specifically Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and Vitamin E (Tocopherols and Tocotrienols).

Here are the scientific studies:

Scientific References: Antioxidants

Food Sources of Common Antioxidants

Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as in other foods including nuts, grains and some meats, poultry and fish.

• Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in color, including sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green leafy vegetables including collard greens, spinach, and kale are also rich in beta-carotene.
• Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale.
• Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods. Estimates suggest 85 percent of American dietary intake of lycopene comes from tomatoes and tomato products.
• Selenium is a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient. However, it is a component of antioxidant enzymes. Plant foods like rice and wheat are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries. The amount of selenium in soil, which varies by region, determines the amount of selenium in the foods grown in that soil. Animals that eat grains or plants grown in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium in their muscle. In the United States, meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium. Brazil nuts also contain large quantities of selenium.
• Vitamin A is found in three main forms: retinol (Vitamin A1), 3,4-didehydroretinol (Vitamin A2), and 3-hydroxy-retinol (Vitamin A3). Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese.
• Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid, and can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables and is also found in cereals, beef, poultry and fish.
• Vitamin E, also known as alpha-tocopherol, is found in almonds, in many oils including wheat germ, safflower, corn and soybean oils, and also found in mangos, nuts, broccoli and other foods.