KEEP STRONG WITH ANTIOXIDANTS

One of the best things we can do to prevent degenerative diseases such as cancer is to have a good supply of antioxidant rich foods. To do this simply eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables with lots of different colours on a consistent basis.

The nutrient sulforaphane found in broccoli, as well as the nutrient dilly sulphide found in garlic have been shown to turn on anti-cancer genes helping fight cancer (epigenetis, fascinating subject). Here’s a good one, red wine contains resveratrol which has been proved to improve health!

Antioxidants are so power because they help fight against free radicals which go around destroying other cells by oxidation, just like the browning of an apple. 

Free radicals are caused by the metabolism, pollution, radiation, smoking, herbicides, stress, lack of exercise, lack of sleep and diet. Oxidative stress (oxidation) has been linked with arthritis, premature ageing, leg swelling, artery hardening and cancer susceptibility. 

Antioxidants are critical for our survival, they are the bodies defence mechanism, without them oxidation would destroy our bodies.  

Where to find antioxidants? 

In fruits, vegetables, pulses and some supplements. Go for a full range of colours with your vegetables and fruits to get a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Think traffic light veg or even taste the rainbow. 

Adding antioxidant rich food to your diet is essential. Make it a priority when buying food and preparing food.

How do antioxidants work?

1- Our bodies contain billions of cells held together by electronic bonds. Sometimes these cells are held together by a weak bond and can split apart. 

2- Resulting in an unstable molecule with unpaired electrons, known as a free radical. 

3- These free radicals will start attacking healthy near by cells in an attempt to replace their missing electron.

4- When the attacked molecule losses it electron is becomes a free radical itself, causing a chain reaction to occur damaging many cells. This is known as oxidative stress, literally decaying healthy cells. 

5- Antioxidants protect against oxidative stress. by stoping the chain reaction by donating one of their electrons to the free radicals making it stable again. The great thing is antioxidants stay stable and do not become free radicals. 

To summarise get lots of colour fruits and vegetables into your diet to give your body the right support it needs and take time to prepare antioxidant rich foods as this is a truly important task.