|
Your body is being constantly attacked by very harmful substances
known as free radicals or oxygen radicals. Free radicals can
destroy your cells, tissues and organs.
Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are naturally
formed inside our bodies by the process of oxidation. They
are normal by products of everyday functions like digestion
and physical activity. Free radicals also come from outside
sources, such as smoking, environmental pollution, and synthetic
chemicals that are added to our water and food.
We are also all exposed daily to polluted air, ingest oxidized
or partially rancid foods, and oxidizing radiations from the
sun and various electrical appliances.
Free radicals lack one electron making them chemically unstable.
To stabilize themselves, they attack any other substance within
reach and steel an electron from it. This process creates
a new free radical, which repeats the process, producing a
"domino effect." When this reaction is uncontrolled,
it can generate millions of free radicals within seconds.
Fortunately our bodies come equipped with a free radical fighting
mechanism. It consists of specialized enzymes that have a
"spare" electron that they can give away without
turning into free radicals. In order to protect us, the enzymes
need help from certain substances known as antioxidants.
The antioxidant value of any food or supplement can be determined
by it's ORAC rating. ORAC means Oxygen Radical Absorbance
Capacity. According to the University of Michigan, Comprehensive
Cancer Center, the measurement of ORAC is a way to measure
how many oxygen radicals a specific food can absorb. The more
oxygen radicals a food can absorb, the higher its ORAC score.
The higher its score... the more that food or supplement will
help you fight diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Most experts agree that we should consume 5,000 ORAC units
per day to effectively fight free radicals in the body. Sadly,
most of us average around 1,200 units per day. Not nearly
enough to protect us from the common ciseases of aging.
One of the best sources of antioxidants are berries and fruits.
Most of us would have a very hard time eating the large amounts
necessary to reach 5,000 ORAC units per day. For this reason,
high ORAC supplements have been created. They contain berry
and fruit extracts with a known ORAC rating. These supplements
are inexpensive and provide many health benefits to your entire
body and brain. Many people use these supplements as part
of an anti-aging program. Keeping your cells from being destroyed
goes a long way to staying healthy and young.
About the Author
For more information about Antioxidants, Proteins, Multivitamins
and Ceatines go to : http://homebusiness.nexuswebs.net/antioxidant.htm
|
