A fully healthy body is a myth?

Nowadays, we cannot say we don’t have any health-related issues. Almost everyone has a medical issue related to physical health. Due to intake of artificial flavors, chemical residues and indigestible ingredients, we have deteriorated our health unknowingly because, yes, this is the new normal.

For example, when we visit a “fresh juice” shop and ask for a pomegranate juice, you’ll find them adding flavors of pomegranate, not the actual pomegranate, because juicing is not a cheap and a easy method. We only get fresh juice of easier (easy to take out the juice) fruits like orange, 'mausambi' (Sweet lemon) etc.

That means we are compromising the nutrition intake in our body unknowingly. Not everyone has a healthy body, if it's not diabetes or cancer or a kidney stone, we have a migraine, high blood pressure or acidity issues.  A survey says 60% of the Indian women and 47% of the Indian men were found to be unhealthy.

Why antioxidants? The facts!

Antioxidants only slower the rate of aging. It works as a free radical trapper which helps in slowing down the process of cell oxidation. Cell oxidation is nothing but attack of toxins which includes air pollution, cigarette smoke, trans fat, UV rays etc. The body also produces its own toxins during natural processes, including the production of stress hormones.

When toxins attack our cell, they make the cell loose its electrons. An electron depraved molecules are called ‘free radicals’, or ‘oxidants. Once the molecule becomes free radical it seeks electrons from DNA or other molecules resulting in the cell mutations.

Antioxidants trap these free radicals produced by giving them their extra electrons to bring back the cell molecule back to its normal state hence reducing the possibility of cell mutation.

Eating foods high in antioxidants is considered by some as one of the most effective anti-aging method. Several studies by renowned think tanks has reported that antioxidants help prevent cancer and heart disease, safeguard memory, reduce the risk of degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, reduce muscle fatigue, avert blindness caused by macular degeneration and cataracts, and slow the aging of skin cells.

Edibles that can be taken as an anti-oxidants supplement:

Vitamin E and C are common intakes that can be taken as anti-oxidants. Vitamin C acts as a defense in blood and plasma. It also helps in production of collagen, a protein which gives your skin elasticity. The known vitamin C foods are tomatoes, lemon, spinach, pomelo, broccoli, kiwi, citrus fruits. When it comes to skin cells health, applying vitamin C creams are 20% more effective than taking it orally.

While discussing the health benefit of vitamin E how can we forget about immunity? Vitamin E helps in contraction of cells, fights with heart diseases and boosts immunity. Intake of vitamin E rich foods like papaya, eggs, almonds, peanuts, red peppers, sunflower oil, etc.

Our body produces its own glutathione (Mother of all anti-oxidants). Although poor diet, pollution, toxins, medications, stress, trauma, aging, infections and radiation all deplete your natural levels glutathione. Secret of its power is the Sulphur chemical groups it contains. Sulphur is a sticky molecule, and acts like fly paper which toxins and free radicals stick to. We get our Sulphur from vegetables like onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks.

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is responsible for converting carbohydrates into energy. When there is an excess of ALA in the body it works as an antioxidant. It is water and fat soluble highly found in beef kidney (32mg per 85g), a minute percentage in red meat and spinach.

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that acts to protect a cell’s DNA, and is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Best food source is red wine (0.2 to 2.0 mg per glass) and red grape juice (0.17 – 1.3 mg per 5-ounce serving). This, according to many surveys is found out to be the best option for the Vegans.

Animal studies have found resveratrol to reduce insulin resistance and therefore a reduction in mortality rates in diabetes, the antioxidant effect counteracts cancer, and it has been found to lower brain plaque levels in Alzheimer’s disease. Human trials though are lacking up to now; the human benefits have not been confirmed.

The Assertion:

So, after all the study and understanding of how to maintain a healthy life in a scientific way with the medicinal qualities within the food items, we can opt out to a non-medicated life for minor yet important health issues like headache, skin problem, acidity and what not. Taking a drug for even a small headache is not advised by medical experts. So carefully taking a balanced diet with an appreciable amount of antioxidants is bound to fuel the metabolism and further can lead to a better physical health.