Balance Is the Key to Life

Like virtually everything in nature, the issue is one of balance. Oxidative stress result when there is a disruption in the balance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants. The steady – state formation of pro-oxidants in cells and organs is balanced by a similar rate of their consumption by antioxidants. Oxidative stress results from imbalance in this pro-oxidant – antioxidant equilibrium in favor of the pro-oxidants.

Modern World & Imbalance Living

An organism is said to be experiencing oxidative stress when the effects of pro-oxidants exceed the ability of antioxidant systems to neutralize them. Invariably, the imbalance takes the form of excessive pro-oxidant production, which results in chronic inflammation a destruction of cellular integrity. The daily challenges of modern life, including pollution, poor diet and eating adaptive stress syndromes of all sorts. Especially, overexposure to the sun's rays, smoking (or being exposed to second hand smoking), and exposure to radiation all contribute to oxidative stress syndrome of all sorts.

The modern world is not conducive to balanced living. In today's world, exposure to potent sources of oxidative stress is unavoidable and overwhelming, The modern world and our modern life styles subject us to constant exposure to environmental and metabolic pro-oxidants. In order to establish and maintain balance in our lives, we need to make a conscious effort and maintain a balance raw food diet, and detox on a regular basis.

Overcoming Oxidative Stress

It is safe to say that it is best not to produce the excessive load of free radicals in the first place. By leading a more conscious life, one can dramatically, and naturally, reduces the production of these radicals. Even if we lived completely naturally in a Garden of Eden, it would be difficult for the body to maintain a healthy balance of pro- and – anti – oxidants. Many people have lived in pure, natural environments and still died young. The stress of a natural life can be difficult as well.

It is worth noting that the longest-lived people on earth have tended to live in naturally pristine environments and was intelligent enough to have discovered at least one, if not more super-antioxidant foods or herbs in their environment that they could include in their diet. Then of course they were smart enough to have utilized these antioxidant foods and herbs regularly. The famous people of Hunzu had their super-antioxidant apricots; the long-lived people of Okinawa have had the amazing Ashitaba plant. Therefore proper nutrition is essential for multitude of reasons, but none more important than its role in maintaining the balance of pro-oxidants and antioxidants.

By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari