Antioxidants And The Aging Process
It has been well documented that the use of antioxidants and the aging process are linked.Certian types of food groups and the impact of our diet does contribute to degenerative diseases and it's effects continue to be widely studied.
Grandma certainly knew what she was talking about when she said "eat your fruits and vegetables"
Some of the popular theories by researchers is that the free radicals exsist within our bodies destroying our cells
and our DNA replication which in turn leads to illness,cancer and other diseases.
It is now becoming more and more evident that these molecules are a substance capable of neutralizing oxygen free radicals.
These molecules will decrease oxidative stress therby decreasing dysregulation of our cellular function as well as aging.
The evidence collated together by leading physicians and researchers strongly points to evidence that antioxidants positively effect the aging process.
In other words Grandma knew exactly what she was talking about that those who eat their fruits and vegetables prevent aging
prematurely and delay the aging process.
How They Are Used In The Body
Lets get down to some basics. If we were to cut open an apple and leave it on the kitchen counter for thirty minutes, when we
return you will find that the apple has turned brown ie oxidative stress.
Similarly in our bodies just through the process of life our bodies undergo oxidative stress which means our cells are
rusting. Estimates from researchers state that our body cells take up to 10,000 hits per day just from our environment and
our own stress levels.
Damage is done to our DNA, our tissues,and vital organs by these environmental stressors which in turn leads to degenerative
diseases like cancer, heart disease and premature aging. Call in our hero's the antioxidant molecules as they bind with these free radicals and pevent cellular damage.
In 1998 there was a study published by Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts whereby they looked at long-term studies
which evaluated the use of antioxidants in human subjects.
Long term supplementation with vitamin E enhanced human function in some elderly people and found that it reduced the risk of
atherosclerosis.
Creams, Pills and Potions
To prevent the outward signs of aging many people turn to external creams, pills and potions, of which one of the most
significant signs are wrinkles.
One of the latest anti-aging substances on the market today is resveratrol which originates from a plant and can also
be found in blueberries, bilberries,and cranberries. However it is most prevalant within grapes, most notably the skin.
Most red wine contains resveratrol however one would have to drink 1000 bottles of wine per day in order to recieve a similar
amount available in supplement form.
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute studied 30,000 residents of north central China who were given a daily
supplement of beta-carotene, selenium and vitamin E had a reduced cancer risk of 17%.
Then the American Heart Association researchers fount that women who ate high amounts of antioxidant containing foods had 33%
decreased heart attack risk and lower risk of stroke.
These studies are very encouraging and whilst more controlled studies are carried out we need to be eating a diet bursting
with these magic molecules from our food and supplementing alongside to give our bodies optimum nutrition.
This might just lead to improved health and reduced premature aging!

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