Antioxidants
Essential for the Survival of All Living Things
What Are Antioxidants?
You hear a lot of talk about antioxidants, but few people know what they are and how they work. Antioxidants fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm and are linked to multiple illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Antioxidants are found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based whole foods. They are measured on an ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), which is a scale that measures how well the antioxidants protected the vulnerable molecules from oxidation by the free radicals.
How Free Radicals Function
Free radicals are constantly being formed in your body. Without antioxidants, free radicals would cause serious harm, eventually resulting in death. Your body needs a balance of free radicals and antioxidants to fight infections. However, when free radicals outnumber antioxidants, they can lead to oxidative stress.
Factors That Promote Excessive Free Radical Formation
Pollution, cigarette smoke, toxins, high blood sugar levels, high intake of polyunsaturated fats, radiation, bacterial or viral infections, and antioxidant deficiency are all common factors in excessive free radical formation.
How to Get Antioxidants
Life depends on the intake of certain antioxidants, namely vitamin C and E. The health benefits associated with a diet rich in plants are partially due to the variety of antioxidants they provide. Berries, green tea, and dark chocolate are renowned for being good sources of antioxidants.
Important Dietary Antioxidants
- Vitamin C
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- This water-soluble antioxidant is an essential dietary nutrient
- Vitamin E
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- This fat-soluble antioxidant plays a critical role in protecting cell membranes
- Flavonoids
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- This group of plant antioxidants has many beneficial health effects
Other substances that act as antioxidants that also have other important functions are curcuminoids in turmeric and oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil. These substances function as antioxidants but also have potent anti-inflammatory activity.
Antioxidants and Immunity
The functions of the human immune system depend on the intake of micronutrients, which can act as antioxidants. Recent clinical trials have found that antioxidant supplementation, like our Healthy Truth Go Red, can significantly improve certain immune responses. Specifically, Vitamin C, E, and A or beta-carotene increased the activation of cells involving immunity.
Healthy Truth Go Red (Antioxidants)
Our Healthy Truth Go Red is a combination of 15 plant-based superfoods consisting of some of the highest levels of antioxidants found in nature. It contains Mangosteen, Goji Powder, Pomegranate, Baobab, Lemon, Blueberry, Acai, Acerola Cherry, Camu Camu, Blueberries, Maqui, Ginger, Beet, Coconut Water Powder (electrolytes, hydration), Maca (adaptogen, helps the body cope with stress).
Shop our Go Red and other antioxidant-rich products online today from Healthy Truth!