Nutrition of functional antioxidant

With so many opinions, research, and personal testimonies out there, what information can be trusted as reliable? No doubt you’ve heard about “ANTIOXIDANTS”. You see advertisements for everything from fruit juices to dietary supplements touting functional antioxidant nutrition benefits. Go to your favorite grocery store and intentionally look around. The word “ANTIOXIDANT” will really standout! “What are Antioxidants…?” Antioxidants are a group of chemical compounds that protect against free radicals. Free Radicals are highly reactive molecules produced naturally, or induced by exposure to things like radiation, certain chemical pollutants, or other sources. When free radicals come into contact with healthy cell membranes, they cause damage to the membrane and may ultimately cause the cell to die. Antioxidants prevent this damage by stopping the free radical and thus helping maintain health and proper function of the cell.

Free Radicals will have short term and long term effects. In SHORT TERM free radical damage can reduce muscle power, endurance, contributes to fatique, initiates muscle soreness, and contributes to injuries. LONG TERM effects from free radicals can weaken the immune system, play a role in the development of everything from heart disease, cancer, cataracts, diabetes, arthritus, hypothyroidism, premature aging and several other chronic conditions. Research shows that free radicals can wreak havoc on muscle tissue health, slowing recovery and impairing performance. Over a period of time, the damage from free radicals to the tissues and organs accumulates and the pace of cellular mutations accelerates, eventually reaching a point where the body can’t repair or dispose of damaged cells fast enough. The results can be life threatening!

What Really Happens During Physical Activity?

During physical activity, the human body must metabolize a great deal of oxygen when it works out. Oxygen helps muscles utilize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates which helps us run faster, lift more resistance, and work for extended periods of time at high levels.

Obviously, working out is essential to our health and has many benefits. But, there is also a “Dark Side” to working out. That is the production of free radicals!

As the oxygen molecules are metabolized, they either partner up with other molecules in the body or remain unpaired. These unpaired “loners” are free radicals – FREE because they are not bonded to other molecules, RADICALS because their chemical structure makes them unstable and prone to react with other substances. That is why preserving the functional antioxidant nutrition status in the body is of enormous concern. It is the primary chemical line of defense against the “Dark Side” impact of oxidative free radical damage.”

The body produces some antioxidant protection on its own in the form of certain enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase), which change the structure of free radicals and breaks them down. These enzymes essentially scavenge for and destroy free radicals throughout the body. These are known as endogenous antioxidants.

To support the efforts of the endogenous antioxidants, we as humans need to consume antioxidants through a diet rich in functional antioxidant nutrition. These antioxidants are known as exogenous. Vitamins A (carotenoids), C, and E, selenium, and various flavonoids. All these substances can help prevent free radical damage, and together with the body’s natural antioxidants (endogenous), they are the main source of protection for muscles and other tissues. Antioxidants are found abundantly in fruits and vegetables. They are also found in other types of nutritious foods such as nuts, oils, beans, etc. Research studies suggest that organic foods have higher concentrations of antioxidant nutrition than processed foods grown with pesticides. Antioxidants are also found in high quality vitamin and mineral supplements. This is especially important to know because most adults do not eat the right foods to properly feed their cells.

Preserving the functional antioxidant nutrition status in the body is of enormous concern. The simplest way to maximize antioxidant levels is to follow a diet high in funtional antioxidant nutrition and taking advantage of the many important benefits!!!!