What are antioxidants?

[kebaldwin]

What are antioxidants?

Tulsa World, Okla.

08-13-07

Aug. 12--Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Damage by free radicals may lead to cancer. Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamins C, E and A.

Here are some food sources of common antioxidants:

--Beta-carotene is found in many orange-colored foods.

--Lutein is abundant in dark green, leafy vegetables.

--Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges and other foods.

--Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is in almonds and other nuts, and in many oils including wheat germ, safflower, corn and soybean oils.

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The Indianapolis Star Source: www.cancer.gov

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http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=5716&Section=NUTRITION

[Gostrydr]

whats cool about antioxidants is they will 'dock on" to these unstable molecules(free radicals)..they can acutally neutralize them by binding to their free electrons..

That's why it is important ot take a mix of antioxidants every day..their are different free radicals in differnet parts of the body. Plus these all help slow the rate of aging..

Vit a for the eyes
Vit c for the water soluble part of the cell membrane
Vit e for the fatty part of the cell membrane
Paba to help protect the skin.
Coq10 for the heart
Nac to raise glutathione levels
Milk thistle for the liver
OPC's for the brain
SOD for joint protection and to reduce cell destruction
Selenium to help protect the tissues


And Ala for all its countless benefits..

There are countless other nutraceuticals that are excellent antioxidants..I'm beginning to feel these may be the most important compounds we take.

[bike2work]

OPC's for the brain
SOD for joint protection and to reduce cell destruction

What are OPCs and SOD? How much is advised?

Thanks.

[kebaldwin]

OPCs

http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1&QUERY=opc

SOD

http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1&QUERY=sod

antioxidants in general

http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1&QUERY=antioxidants

http://www.vitacost.com/articleResults.aspx?Ntk=articles&.y=6&ss=1&.x=18&Ntt=antioxidants

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/carotenoids/