Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Antioxidants

Vegan cheesecake right?

Antioxidants are your body's natural defense systems against free radicals. We get antioxidants in the food you eat and in certain herbs, or you can make them in your body. The following is a partial list of major antioxidants offered by Dr. Diana Schwarzbein. Some interfere or are contraindicated with different medications, so be sure to consult your physician or pharmacist before using any of them.

.Alpha lipoic acid-this biochemical is produced in the body in small quantities, but it is a very powerful antioxidant. Studies show that it can help people with diabetes decrease the damage from high blood-sugar levels.

.Bilberry-this herb keeps your capillaries and red blood cell membranes strong and flexible, and it may enhance vision.

.Burdock-this herb has been shown to protect against cancer by controlling cell mutations.

.Carotenoids-this class of vitamins is found in red, yellow, green and orange vegetables and fruits. Alpha- and beta-carotenes , lycopene and lutein are the most commonly known. They may help protect you against cancer by reducing oxidative damage to you DNA. It is important to taken them together as a complex instead of individually.

.Co Enzyme Q-10-this biochemical is made in the body. It is most famously known for its protective effects against heart disease.

.Curcumin-is found in the spice turmeric. It stops the oxidation of cholesterol, thereby protecting you against plaque formation in your arteries.

.Estradiol-this hormone is the natural human estrogen made by the ovaries. It helps neutralize free radicals.

.Flavonoids-plant extracts are very potent antioxidants. They are found in fruits, vegetables, spices, seeds, nuts, flowers and bark. They protect your antioxidant vitamins from oxidative damage.

.Garlic-this herb helps prevent fats from being oxidized.

.Ginkgo Biloba-this herb is a powerful antioxidant that protects your brain, retina (back of your eye) and cardiovascular system.

.Glutathione-this protein is produced in the liver from the amino acids cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. It helps defend your body from cigarette smoke, radiation, cancer chemotherapy and toxins such as alcohol. The rate at which we age has been correlated with the amount of glutathione in our system. Glutathione can be taken in supplement form, or its production can be boosted by taking N-acetylcysteine and L-Methionine.

.Grape seed extract-this plant extract is made from the seeds of the wine grape. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and protect your brain and spinal nerves from oxidative damage.

.Green tea- it is the polyphenols in green tea that are protective. They help shield your DNA from free radical damage.

.L-Methionine-this amino acid neutralizes hydroxyl radicals that are formed during strenuous exercise or exposure to high levels of radiation. Hydroxyl radicals damage all cell types.

.Melatonin-this hormone is a potent universal antioxidant. It is one of the few antioxidants that protects your mitochondria (the energy making organelle inside your cells). Do not take this in supplement form.

.N-acetylcysteine (NAC)-This biochemical is a more stable form of the amino acid cysteine. It can be taken in supplement form. It is used to produce glutathione in your liver. Discuss the use of NAC with your physician if you are diabetic because it may interfere with the action of insulin.

.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH)-This biochemical is made in the body and plays a central role in DNA repair and maintenance. It may also prevent the neurotransmitter dopamine from auto-oxidation that may damage sensitive parts of your brain.

.Pycnogenol-This plant extract is produced fro the French maritime pine tree. It is in the same class of antioxidant a grape seed extract so it also can cross the blood-brain barrier and protect your brain and spinal nerves from oxidative damage.

.Selenium-this essential trace mineral partners up with vitamin E to protect tissues and cell membranes. CAUTION:Amounts higher than one miligrams daily may be toxic.

.Silymarin-this herb is extracted from the seeds of the milk thistle plant. It has been used for years to treat liver disease.

.Superoxide dismutase-this enzyme neutralizes the most common and possibly the most dangerous free radicals--superoixde radicals.

.Vitamin A-this vitamin protects your eyes, lungs, and skin.

.Vitamin C-this vitamin is one of your body's first lines of defense against free radicals in your body fluids.

.Vitamin E-this vitamin helps prevent the oxidation of fats. It partners up with selenium to protect your cell membranes . CAUTION: do not take more than 1,000 IU a day.

Zinc-this essential trace mineral prevents the oxidation of fats.

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