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There are millions of processes happening in your body all the
time, that need oxygen. However oxygen can also create harmful
side-effects through oxidation that in turn damage the cells and
produce “Free radicals” resulting in chronic diseases like cancer
and heart attacks. “Free radicals" can also be created by stress and what you eat and
drink, especially unhealthy food like “fast fried foods”. In
addition your lifestyle can also be a major contributing factor,
especially smoking, drugs, alcohol, pollution, caffeine, and
exposure to the sun.
“Free radicals” produced by this breakdown of cells, destroy healthy
cells and weaken the immune support system and accelerate the aging
process. In addition research has shown that these “free radicals’
result in various diseases, like heart diseases, cancers and other
chronic diseases.
Anti-oxidants are the soldiers that go to war against the “free
radicals” and destroy them and repair damaged cells.
Nutrition is extremely important in the war against “free radicals”
as many anti-oxidants are found in foods, especially in fruit and
vegetables, with the biggest abundance in green leafy vegetables and
the colourful ones, including carrots, tomatoes and yellow and red
peppers. Items high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and
beta-carotene are believed to be the most beneficial.
Eating raw fruits and vegetables provides the highest concentration
and best absorption of anti-oxidants. However most of us don’t find
the time to eat enough of the right foods so fortunately we can use
the necessary anti-oxidant supplements that are available.
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