Since the creation of time the humankind has been searching for the indefinable fountain of youth. As we become old we all seem to leave behind that youthful dynamism and we all get to the point where we would like to appear and feel younger. But, it may be feasible that the fountain of youth has been with us all along and we just didn’t realize it.
Science has shown that the bulk of age related weakening is caused from free radicals that are formed in our bodies from physical processes that need oxygen. Yes, the oxygen that we need to live is also the same thing that causes aging in our bodies! What happens is that the oxygen we use in our bodies is often compromised from environmental pollutants, cigarette smoke and even our own organic processes such as digestion. The oxygen molecule loses an electron and in order to stabilize itself it steals an electron from another molecule, which creates a free radical.
The unpaired oxygen molecule, or free radical is a exceedingly unstable thing. In disproportionate quantities it can generate many problems within our bodies. We cannot steer clear of free radicals fully and we truly don’t want to because our bodies need a few free radicals for different functions but when they grow in disproportionate quantities they become very destructive to our cells and they contribute to a range of disorders in including some serious diseases and decline from aging.
The resolution to these troubles has been provided for us by nature. The healthiest foods in nature impart strong nutrients called antioxidants. Antioxidants actually come in and add the absent electron to the free radical thereby stabilizing it and preventing additional injury. Because of that a regimen that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other healthy foods is actually a fountain of youth. The retardation of free radical damage contributes deeply to the healthy, vivacious youth that we want to preserve.
The prevention of free radical damage by antioxidants is an constant procedure. In reality even more free radicals are created as the others are being neutralized. For that reason antioxidants must be constantly replaced within our bodies. We need to consume a healthy food intake on a on a daily basis basis. It has been verified that the safest and most helpful means to get antioxidants is through diet. Ideally, 8 to 10 fruits and vegetables should be consumed day by day but a minimum of 5 is suggested.
Antioxidant capacity in food is measured by what is referred to as the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC. The ORAC is a number that corresponds with the concentration of antioxidants qualities in that food. Foods with high ORAC scores include spinach, kale, oranges, sweet potatoes and others. Most berries have high ORAC scores including cranberries, blueberries and the acai berry. The acai berry in fact has one of the peak ORAC scores ever found in nature.
The peak benefits of antioxidants come from the synergy of the unique nutrients working together. That is why it is prudent to consume a big range of healthy foods. One lone antioxidant will not give the advantage that it will when pooled with the other nutrients. That is one rationale why it is healthier to get your antioxidants from cuisine rather than supplements.
The fountain of youth that we have been searching for has been with us all along. We just didn’t know it. If you want to inhibit much of your age related weakening you should eat a large array of healthful antioxidants in your diet.
