List of Common Antioxidants
Everywhere you look antioxidants are creating quite a buzz. Such has been their popularity that you might wonder whether they are the only to stay healthy these days! Not only are antioxidants known to help you with diseases such as arthritis, hypertension, asthma and problems such as infertility, they are also promoted as great anti-aging substances. They indeed have some great health benefits and so, it will do you a world of good to know more about them.
Do you know that most of your health problems are caused by the process of oxidation? Due to various reasons such as stress, pollution, poor diet, radiation, pesticides etc, free radicals are released in your body. These are nothing but unpaired oxygen molecules which tend to oxidize cells, enzymes, and tissue by pairing with them quickly.
Continuation of this process and presence of a large number of free radicals can trigger a total physical degeneration. Antioxidants, as their name suggests, prevent this from happening by destroying free radicals effectively. In fact research shows that intake of antioxidants via diet or supplements can significantly increase your chances of living longer and healthier.
In preventing oxidation, antioxidants help you avert diseases such as:
- Various types of cancer
- Coronary artery disorder
- Muscular degeneration and Alzheimer’s.
So, this brings us to the most important question: which are the best antioxidants? Here is a list which will enlighten you in this regard:
- Alpha Lipoic acid, which is found in abundance in meat. This antioxidant can help you get rid of glaucoma and diabetes.
- Astaxanthin, which is the substance that imparts a pink color to salmon. It is said to be 500 times stronger than vitamin C as an antioxidant!
- Beta-carotene, which is found in carrots and tomatoes. This antioxidant can help you treat gastritis and also boost your immune system. You should know that beta-carotene should be taken in natural forms and not as an artificial supplement because the synthetic form has only one active molecule instead of two.
- Ubiquinone. This substance is found in fishes such as mackerel and sardines and beef. Peanuts and spinach are also good sources. It is usually used for cardiac insufficiency, wherein it helps to strengthen the heart muscles. It can also counter the effect of histamines and so, is quite useful in case of allergies and asthma. This is available in the form of expensive supplements and so, you can try the cheaper fishes to get the benefits of this supplement.
- Cucurmin. Mainly found in turmeric, this antioxidant can help you get relief from stomach pain and nausea, liver problems related to non-secretion of bile, menstrual cramps. It can also serve as an anti-inflammatory agent for treating arthritis, asthma and eczema. However, this can thin your blood and so; you may want to consult a physician first.
- Cysteine. This antioxidant is found in eggs and dairy products. It facilitates the absorption of iron in your body and promotes natural healing.
Your best bet is to use these uncommon antioxidants in their natural forms. Supplements may be good, but why go artificial when natural alternatives are available?