5 Things You Need to Know About Natural Antioxidants

1. Think Fresh Produce--Not Supplements

Going to the grocery store is a daunting experience. Not only do you have to determine what food to buy but, in the case of supplements, which is the best and most reliable for your health. Yet, research continues to demonstrate that a simple eating plan of fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains and nuts can provide your body with a host of natural beta-carotene, vitamins A, C and E, the mineral selenium, lutein and lycopene.

2. Prevent Chronic Disease and Feel Your Best Now

So, what's all this talk about antioxidants? They are natural substances that protect our body against the effect of free radicals, molecules produced when you break down food or are exposed to environmental factors, tobacco smoke and radiation. Similar to an avocado that starts to brown once we cut it, adding an antioxidant, such as the vitamin C from lemon juice, can stop the oxidative process. By slowing or preventing the damage from oxygen, we can improve our immune system, while lowering our risk of infection, cancer, heart disease, arthritis and other common illnesses.

3. Eat Your Veggies

Imagine being able to harvest your own fresh garden of juicy apricots, tasty carrots, red and yellow peppers. The array of colors in fruits and vegetables comes from carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A, promoting healthy eyes and decreasing signs of aging. Think autumn colors and dark green, so add steamed broccoli, kale or spinach in your vegetable platter, along with an assortment of diced mango and cantaloupe for dinner.

4. Enjoy at Least a Daily Serving of Vitamin C-rich Foods

Blend citrus fruits--grapefruit, lemon, orange and tangerine to energize your day. Also known as ascorbic acid in food labels, vitamin C protects our bodies by attacking free radicals in body fluids and not in fat tissues, as the case of vitamin A. Bleeding gums? Try incorporating this antioxidant as a snack--a medium orange contains approximately 60 milligrams.

5. Choose Good Fats for a Vitamin E Experience

Unlike many other vitamins, the role of this fat-soluble vitamin appears to exclusively focused on its antioxidant properties. It appears to work close together with others, such as vitamin C and selenium to protect body cells from oxidation. How to obtain it? Add some seeds and crunchy nuts to your mixed salad and drizzle with vegetable oils.