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Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that cause cellular damage known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the underlying cause of many chronic health problems like aging, cardiovascular disease, anemia, and cancer.


Vitamin C and vitamin E are among the most important vitamins and are potent natural antioxidants. Natural antioxidants are mostly found in plant sources. Fruits and vegetables that are red, orange, and blue have the highest antioxidant activity. Other natural antioxidants are beta-carotene, lycopene, selenium, flavonoids


Antioxidants increase shelf life of foods (and people!). Manufactures add antioxidants, like vitamin C (ascorbic acid), as food additives.

Benefits

Anti-aging (limits the process of growing old)
Anticancer (inhibits growth of cancer)
Anti-Inflammatory (controls inflammation)
Antioxidant (protects against oxidation)
Protects against many types of diseases
Protects eye health
Protects brain function
Improves mental health
Keeps skin healthy
Improves gut health

Causes of Deficiency

Air pollution, cigarette smoke, toxins, high blood sugar levels, bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, too much or too little oxygen in the body, intense or prolonged exercise, asbestos

Symptoms of Deficiency

Increased oxidative stress, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, neurological disease like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, renal disease, eye disease, including cataracts

Drugs That Deplete

Doxorubicin (antineoplastic), Azidothymidine (antiretroviral), Cisplatin (antineoplastic), Diclofenac (anti-inflammatory), Paracetamol (analgesia), Chlorpromazine (antipsychotic)

Natural Sources

Oranges, lemons, blueberries, strawberries, plums, prunes, grapes, red beans, broccoli flowers, tomato, green tea, coffee, chocolate, meat, fish

Caution

None

Resources

1) Zehiroglu, C., & Sarikaya, S. B. O. (2019). The importance of antioxidants and place in today’s scientific and technological studies. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 56(11), 4757–4774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-019-03952-x
2) BSc, A. A., PhD. (2023, July 12). Antioxidants explained in simple terms. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/antioxidants-explained#free-radicals
3) Janciauskiene, S. (2020). The beneficial effects of antioxidants in health and diseases. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation, 7(3), 182–202. https://doi.org/10.15326/jcopdf.7.3.2019.0152
4) Pham-Huy, L. A., He, H., & Pham-Huy, C. (2008, June 1). Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3614697/#sec5
5) Deavall, D. G., Martin, E. A., Horner, J. M., & Roberts, R. (2012). Drug-Induced Oxidative stress and toxicity. Journal of Toxicology, 2012, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/645460
6) Kahn, J. (2022, August 26). Nine benefits of antioxidants: From disease prevention to healthy aging. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/benefits-of-antioxidants

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

Cynthia A. Barrington is not a physician and the relationship between her and her clients is not as prescriber and patient but as educator and client. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Cynthia presents. Naturopathy, homeopathy, flower essences, and any other recommendations do not "treat" illnesses; they address the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. In order to be treated or diagnosed, Cynthia believes the advice of a holistic physician is in order. Never stop taking prescription medications without first consulting your physician. Consult your physician before starting a fitness program or taking supplements.

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