Anti-oxidants and Trace Minerals

What are Anti-Oxidants

Anti-oxidants are special compounds that aid the human body’s functions in many ways. Some of the most common anti-oxidants used include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids. We’ll discuss sources of anti-oxidants, the effects these compounds have on our health, and who can benefit the most from anti-oxidants.

The main effect that anti-oxidants have on our health is an increased resistance to free radicals. Free radicals are rogue cells that try to attack the body by damaging cell membranes, impairing the life span of cells in our body. Anti-oxidants are known to help ward off the harmful effects these free radicals have on our cells.

Vitamin C, one of the most powerful anti-oxidants, also performs numerous other duties that our body requires. It is known to aid the responses of the human immune system. It is also a crucial vitamin when it comes to the production of collagen in the body.

Collagen is a very important compound that acts as a connective tissue throughout the body. Common sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits, green beans, papayas, tomatoes, broccoli, cantaloupes, strawberries, and red bell peppers.

Vitamin E is also quite an important antioxidant component in the human diet. Composed of eight fat-soluble compounds, Vitamin E also helps the body by aiding the immune system. It may also help to protect the body against the threat of cancer or cardiovascular disease. If you are trying to increase your daily intake of Vitamin E, you may want to consider eating foods such as sunflower seeds, almonds, olives, papayas, mustard greens, lettuce, collard greens, whole grain, and spinach.

Another potent anti-oxidant is known as lycopene. This compound is commonly found as a red pigment throughout fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, watermelons, pink grapefruits, apricots, and pink guavas are all foods which contain some level of lycopene. Lycopene may also be responsible for prostate health, but this has not been proven so far in any sort of organized lab tests.

Those with diabetes should seriously consider maintaining a diet that is rich in anti-oxidant entities. Diabetics face an increased risk of complications of their disease when they do not get enough anti-oxidants. This is due to the fact that high blood pressure has been found to facilitate the production of free radicals, and when the free radicals attack nitrous oxide deposits in the body, a toxic compound is created which can damage nerves, the heart, or other organs that are commonly susceptible to damage in diabetics.

Adhering to a diet that is rich in anti-oxidants may show some promise in protecting the nitrous oxide in our bodies from being attacked by free radicals. This was only discovered recently, and can prove to be a very important advancement in helping those afflicted with this lifelong illness.

An anti-oxidant rich diet is recommended for everyone, regardless of what afflictions they may have. Free radicals can truly damage the body, causing cells to have decreased lifespans and making our body work that much harder to pick up the slack. It isn’t difficult to maintain your anti-oxidant levels in your body

Refer to the food pyramid in the previous page and you'll find that it is usually efficient enough at securing all of the vitamins and minerals you need.

Minerals – Vitamin’s best friend
While much credit is often given to vitamins for keeping our bodies safe and healthy, minerals perform just as important of duties. Minerals are from the earth, and are not produced in plants or animals. The minerals are picked up from the soil in the plants we eat, and are also present in animals which eat these plants. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the basic minerals your body needs to be in proper working order.

Calcium
One of the most commonly known minerals, calcium helps your body to keep its bone structure strong. Calcium contributes to healthy teeth, as well as helping your body to metabolize iron. Also, one of calcium’s lesser known qualities is the fact that it helps to maintain a normal heartbeat.

Iron
Another commonly discussed mineral, iron helps to carry oxygen throughout the body, providing cells with it and aiding the production of energy. Iron also helps to produce collagen, a substance that is used throughout the body. Iron is known to help the immune system function properly, warding off foreign entities.

Magnesium
This mineral is essential for maintaining the balance between alkalines and acids in your body. People who get the required levels of magnesium generally experience healthy functionality in nerves and muscles, as well as proper bone growth. Magnesium works in tandem with calcium, ensuring that calcium absorption is optimized. If you lack sufficient magnesium, muscle twitching, nervousness, and an abnormal heart beat may occur.

Phosphorous
Used in the body’s bones, phosphorous helps the body perform many important processes. It helps to bond ATP, a type of energy in the body, making metabolism possible. Phosphorous can be found in many meats and dairy products.

Zinc
Zinc performs a host of functions for the body. Protein is synthesized by it, and the health of both reproductive organs and the immune system are positively affected by this mineral. Many people are zinc deficient. This can result in affected growth, skin health, the health of nerves, the functioning of the immune system and the body’s natural ability to heal being hindered. Those who are cigarette smokers or excessive alcohol drinkers may have their body’s ability to process zinc dissipate, leading to deficiency.

There are also other trace minerals, such as chromium, iodine, and copper that can be beneficial to the body as well. While these trace minerals may be helpful, it is of utmost importance to get a healthy amount of the essential minerals.

It is also important to note that you should not take more than your daily required value of iron. When ingested in large quantities, iron becomes toxic, and can cause some serious adverse health effects.

Supplements are available that not only help you get your daily dose of minerals – they provide for your vitamin consumption as well. If you cannot maintain a diet rich in these minerals, you may want to purchase one of these supplements.