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The body uses oxygen and
nutrients to make energy. Oxygen also helps the immune system
fight disease and harmful substances. Oxidation is a process
that uses byproducts formed from oxygen fighting disease to
create molecular agents that react with body tissues.
Unfortunately, this process can form “free radicals” that cause
cell damage. Antioxidants help reduce the number of free
radicals that form in the body, lower the energy levels of
existing free radicals, and stop oxidation chain reactions to
lower the amount of damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are believed to be one of the causes of over sixty
health problems, according to various scientific and medical
groups. These problems include cancer, aging, and
atherosclerosis. By increasing antioxidant intake and reducing
exposure to free radicals can help lower health risks and
problems.
Antioxidant enzymes are also produced by our bodies and include
catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione perixidase.
These enzymes also fight against free radicals. The enzymes are
available in supplemental forms, but it is believed that taking
the building blocks of the enzymes in supplemental form is more
effective. Zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese are some of the
building blocks.
Minerals and vitamins are also often antioxidants. Vitamins
including lutein, cysteine, beta-carotene, vitamin B2, vitamin
C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10 and herbs such as bilburry, aloe
vera, green tea, turmeric, ginkgo, grape seed or pine bark
extracts, milk thistle, and cascara sagrada also help protect
the body from health problems caused by antioxidants.
The best way to fight against free radicals is to intake a
variety of antioxidant minerals, enzymes, herbs, and vitamins.
Flaxseed Oil
The seeds from flax create vegetable oil called flax
seed oil (also known as linseed oil). Flax seed oil
is one of the oldest oils and has been used for centuries. The
flax seeds are edible, and is one of the most concentrated plant
sources for omega 3 fats, and the use as a healthy nutritional
supplement is rising. |
