Everywhere we turn nowadays, someone is touting antioxidants. They seem to be available in just about everything from chocolate to pomegranate juice to the latest cosmetic products. There's a good reason for the fuss–researchers keep reporting study after study that antioxidants accomplish miraculous things. They prevent cancer and heart disease, for example. They safeguard memory and cut down on the likelihood that we’ll get degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. They protect joints, relieve pain and fatigue, and avert blindness. And, oh yes–they ward off wrinkles.
Are They Magic?
Well, in a sense they are. To begin with, we can't escape oxidants. Probably the only people who do live in a mountain in the Himalayas, eat the purest of food, and breathe only unpolluted air. We can't achieve that. We are constantly bombarded by negative elements such as air pollution, chemicals, and ultraviolet rays that damage our cells. With regard to oxidants, we are our own worst enemies because we produce stress hormones and toxic chemical reactions within our own bodies. It's a sort of invasion of electron snatchers. Toxins weaken molecules in the cells, which causes them to lose electrons, a unit that carries electrical charges and without which our cells won't work together. These weakened molecules in turn rob electrons from other molecules, which also rob electrons, and the beat goes on. An electron-deprived molecule is called a free radical or oxidant. These free radicals are usually caused by such things as deep-fried food, cigarette smoke, or air pollution, and they have a deleterious effect on our cholesterol. This is a very simplistic explanation of a not-so-simple process. However, it's one that plays a major role in our health and it's important that we do everything we can do to offset the bad effects.
Antioxidants – the Good Guys
We have the ability within our bodies to fight the oxidants on our own. Our bodies produce antioxidants that will break down some of the free radicals. Unfortunately, it's not enough. We need to take control of this part of our lives and metabolism and begin to add the superhero good guys to our diets to offset the effects of living in a civilized, over-industrialized modern world. Here are some of them:
- Selenium. This one is truly a superhero. It not only acts as an antioxidant itself, but it also speeds up your body's natural antioxidant-making process. Best food sources: Brazil nuts.
- Vitamin E. This is the one that goes furthest in protecting our skin from aging. It also fights heart disease and boosts immunity. Best food sources: Sunflower seeds, Hazelnuts, and Raw Peanut Butter.
- Vitamin C. We already know this one is good for colds; it also protects our DNA and protects blood vessels. Best food sources: Papaya, Bell Peppers, and Broccoli.
- Carotenoids. This is a pigment that protects eyes and skin from sun damage. It can also ward off macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Best food sources: Carrots, Butternut Squash, and Spinach.
- Isothiocyanates. Powerful cancer fighter. Best food sources: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, and Cauliflower.
- Polyphenols. Prevents memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. It also reduces the growth of bacteria that cause gum disease. Best food sources: Raw Chocolate, Organic Red Wine.
- Coenzyme Q10. This is an enzyme that protects your cells, including those in the skin. It may prevent migraines by guarding brain cells. It may also help lower blood pressure. Best foods: Spinach, Broccoli and Raw Peanuts.
Scientists from several universities in America and Norway collaborated in a study of antioxidants and came up with a list of the top 50 in 2007. Included are a variety of foods that can be eaten raw, which are on the following list taken from the top 50. While the researchers didn't test whether cooking depletes the antioxidizing qualities, other studies have demonstrated that a raw foods diet is superior for its ability to deal with free radicals:
- Blackberries
- Walnuts
- Strawberries
- Artichoke hearts
- Cranberries
- Raspberries
- Pecans
- Blueberries
- Cloves, ground
- Grape juice
- Chocolate
- Cranberry juice
- Cherries, sour
- Wine, red (merlot)
- Pineapple juice
- Guava nectar
- Juice drinks
- Cranapple juice
- Prunes
- Cabbage, red
- Orange juice
- Apple juice
- Mango nectar
- Pineapple
- Oranges
- Plums, black
- Spinach
- Kiwifruit
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Potatoes, russet
- Beans
- Broccoli rabe
- Peppers
- Broccoli
- Tamarind nectar
Taking Control of Our Own Skin
There is a lot we can do to have skin that is flawless and radiant. Piling on layers of makeup is not the answer. What we’re after is the real thing–skin that can shine on its own. That kind of skin is an internal affair. It does not happen overnight and it requires commitment on your part, but the end result is pure and unadulterated beauty that you will not want to cover up. Your skin makes a statement about your overall body chemistry. If you’re unhappy about your skin, you need to pay attention to what your body is telling you. It is signaling that you need to go to work on your own well-being. The best thing you can do, of course, is to shift to a raw-foods diet. In so doing, you’ll get the bonus of increased energy and vitality.
By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari
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