 Free Radicals - The Cause of Aging and Disease
Free radicals are produced from normal body functioning. Chemicals
in the water and food we drink and eat, and emotional and mental
stress from our lifestyle. The most damaging free radicals are the
superoxide, hydroxyl, peroxide and peroxynitrate. Free radicals can
cause premature aging, damage our cell's DNA, hair loss, and many
other negative effects on our body.
Anti-Oxidants
Dr. James Balch in his book "The Super Anti-oxidants" said that
while the damage from oxidation cannot be minimized, the body can be
armed with means of dealing with the problem of oxidation. These are
the anti-oxidants.
Anti-oxidants perform the following health functions:
1. Scavenge from radicals.
2. Intercept the chain reaction between different oxidants.
3. Breakdown free radicals into more easily synthesized compounds.
The key to nutritional health is to provide the body with
anti-oxidants. The anti-oxidants needed by the body are made up of
several types:
1. Amino Acids, 2. Enzymes, 3. Beta Carotenes 4. Bioflavonoids 5.
DHEA 6. Co-Enzymes
Micronutrients
These anti-oxidants can all be found in the food we eat. Being
healthy is basically founded on proper nutrition, i.e., a diet of
fresh fruits, grains and vegetables. These foods contain the
micronutrients which interact in the body as anti-oxidants. Most of
these micro-nutrients are lost in the processing and cooking of
food. new ways to provide supplemental micronutrients are needed.
Nutraceutical
Nutraceutical is a term coined by Dr. Stephen L. DeFelice, M.D.,
Chairman of The Foundation for Innovation in Medicine, over a decade
ago "to describe any food or food part taken for health benefits".
Products in this industry include soups, beverages, processed
cereals, and of course, herbal supplements.
Important Plant & Fruit Base Of Nutraceuticals:
1. Beta-Carotene from yellow to red fruits and vegetables.
2. Bioflavonoids from red to purple plants and fruits.
3. Enzymes from fruits such as Papaya, Pineapple, Guava etc.
4. Anti-oxidants from specific plants such as Green tea, Broccoli,
Berries etc.
Health Benefits of Bioflavonoids
Studies have identified fruits with blue-to-purple colors as the
Bioflavonoids, an anti-oxidant which provides protection against
cancer, fights high cholesterol, strengthens blood vessel cell
walls, fights viruses and inflammation, improves vision, protects
against radiation, speeds healing of bleeding gums and varicose
veins. lowers blood pressure and alleviates rheumatism.
These blue-to-purple fruits are rich in enzymes which are helpful in
the treatment of stomach problems, liver conditions and in lowering
sugar levels in diabetics.
Anti-Oxidant Enzymes
All living things have enzymatic activity. Enzymes make your body
work. As long as our body make enzymes, we live. Although there are
variations among individuals, our body's enzymatic activity
generally begins to decline somewhere between the ages of 16 and 20,
as our growth activity peaks.
A number of factors in our day to day lives can inhibit and destroy
important enzymes in our bodies. These are: food additives,
preservatives, coloring agents, flavoring, flavoring enhancers and
pesticides in food.
Since every activity in our bodies require enzymes, replenishing the
enzyme supply lost with aging can restore your body's natural enzyme
balance and in turn, help fight disease and improve one's health
condition.
Flavanoids & Carotenoids
It has been only recently that flavanoids and carotenoids have
received any appreciable attention. The great importance of
flavanoids and carotenoids lies in their anti-oxidant and anti-free
radical properties.
Flavanoids and carotenoids are found in the beautiful colors of
fruits and vegetables. Chlorophyll provides the greens, yellows,
oranges and reds which are carotenoids. The blues, purples, emerald
green and some reds are flavanoids. Certain flavanoids appear to
posses cholesterol lowering effects. Flavanoids retard the oxidation
of low-density lipoprotein which is considered involved in
atherosclerosis.
Berries which are red to purple in color are rich in flavanoids.
Recent studies show that the anthocyanin (the red pigment found in
berries) is a strong anti-oxidant. The darker the berry, the
stronger the protective pigments are against cancer and cellular
damage to the body.
(Article courtesy of Carica Herbal Food Supplements - Available
at selected SM Malls, Robinson's Malls, Ayala Malls and herbal
medicine stores nationwide.)
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