Cells with damaged DNA may be more prone to developing cancer. Free radical activity has also been implicated in premature ageing, heart disease, arthritis, cataract formation, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.
An excess of free radicals can be caused by:
You can see from this list that most of us will be producing far too many free radicals for the normal body processes to cope with, so we need to be sure that we take in enough anti-oxidants to de-activate these excess free radicals.
A lot of the symptoms of ageing are signs of free radical damage. When cell membranes are attacked by free radicals they either become hardened so that nutrients cannot get into the cells, or they may be punctured so that the cell collapses as the cell fluid drains out. In the skin this leads to skin which is leathery or wrinkled and sagging; in the joints this causes the synovial fluid to lose its lubricating quality and cause stiffness, in cells it may damage the DNA causing inappropriate cell division and the possibility of cancer, etc.
So where do you find anti-oxidants? The main sources are fresh fruit and vegetables. This is part of the reason we are now being urged to eat more of these vital substances.
Different antioxidants work in different areas of the body, so the key is to eat as wide a range of antioxidants as possible. This means eating fruit and vegetables of different types and different colours. Eat green and red grapes, eat orange fruit and vegetables, try new fruit and vegetables. Different coloured fruit and vegetables contain different antioxidants, and its vitally important that we have a full range of antioxidants, because they work in different ways in different parts of our bodies.
For example, some antioxidant molecules are too big to go through the gut wall so they work in the gut itself. Some antioxidants are water-soluble so can go where the fat soluble ones cant. Some work on the surface of cells and some work inside cells. Where do we want antioxidants to work? Everywhere in our body to help prevent damage and decay.
So don't just stick to green peppers, but buy red, yellow and orange ones too. Buy red grapes as well as green. Eat pumpkins and squash for their wonderful orange anti-oxidant properties, and dark green vegetables for their range of antioxidants.
See also:
Raw Juice Therapy>>
NB. The information given here are not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.
If you are in any doubt about your health, please consult your GP.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is not intended to diagnose medical problems, prescribe remedies for illness, or treat disease. It's intention is solely educational. I would strongly encourage you to use this information in cooperation with a medical or health professional.
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