Antioxidants

 

Antioxidant Research Suggests A Combination Of Antioxidants

There are a number of diseases that people have to face these days that just a few generations ago were unheard of. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease are degenerative diseases that are more often than not more taxing on caregivers then the sufferers themselves. Watching a loved one suffer from such diseases is often heart breaking as the person you love becomes unrecognisable and cannot recognise you.

Antioxidant research has shown that including antioxidants in your diet can prevent these two particular diseases. It is not surprising then to discover that more and more antioxidant research suggests that free radicals that cause cancer and stroke are preventable with antioxidants.

Natural Antioxidants

The best way to absorb antioxidant into the body appears to be from fruits and vegetables. Particularly fruit and vegetables with reddish hues. Fruits from the citrus family for example are rich as everyone knows in vitamin C. However beans and sweet potatoes are also sources of antioxidants. Antioxidant research recommends that supplements are to be used sparingly and are not to be relied on totally as a source of antioxidants.

Instead a diet that includes plenty of different fruit and vegetable with different types of antioxidants is seen as the best way to consume antioxidants. Moreover some vitamin supplements can do more harm than good. High doses of vitamin E and A in supplement form can cause liver damage and birth defects.

Green Tea Antioxidants

There has also been antioxidant research carried out in Japan that suggests green tea is highly effective in preventing cancer. Japanese men and women consume large quantities of green tea everyday and have relatively low incidences of cancer and heart disease. Diet is seen as a major factor in the low incidences of cancer in Japan. Green tea is also thought to help reduce the signs of ageing, antioxidant research has found that antioxidants help to combat premature ageing that can be brought about by stress, environmental factors, and unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Lifestyle Changes

Of course all the good work of antioxidants will be undone if unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking are continued. Smokers should definitely quit smoking if they are serious about preventing cancer. Although antioxidants will help to reduce the risk of cancer, the risk is still present if a person continues to smoke. Exercise is also essential to remain healthy; a healthy and balanced diet is only half the battle won. Regular exercise should be carried out to maintain good health as a complement to a diet rich in antioxidants.