Free radicals are substances which cause things in your body to rust, just like this car! Free radicals come from byproducts of metabolism, environmental toxins, poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, and so on. They rust and damage your cells, tissues, and organs, causing premature aging. You can neutralize some free radicals by increasing your “antioxidants.” Free radicals cause rust, and antioxidants help prevent rust.
You get antioxidants mainly by eating lots of, and a variety of, vegetables and fruit, and eating a variety is key. The different colors of vegetables and fruit indicate different, important antioxidants. Eat more vegetables than fruit at a ratio of at least 3:1. The best vegetables are cruciferous vegetables* (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, bok choy, and others) and green leafy vegetables. The best fruits are berries (blueberries, strawberries*, blackberries) and apples.
My 2½ hour CD program “Nutrition for Disease Prevention and Weight Loss” will answer all of the nutrition questions you have. It is a 2 CD set for $25 (plus shipping, if necessary). Call the office to order or pick up a set.
Due to environmental contaminants, lack of vegetable and fruit intake, and because many vegetables and fruit are not as antioxidant-potent as they once were, I recommend taking supplemental antioxidants. I wrote about them in my recent newsletter titled “Antioxidants-Cofactors” which is on my website here.
The nutriwest.com company has an excellent formula which I have carried in my office for years, called “complete omega-3 cofactors.” This tablet is so named because doctors and researchers recommend never taking fish oil unless you take supplemental antioxidants to protect oxidation of the fish oil. If you would like to start taking the complete omega-3 cofactors, just come by our office. We can also have them shipped directly to you, if you order 2 or more bottles. They come in 60 tablet bottles for $28 each.
If you are going to purchase antioxidants on your own, follow the ingredients and dosages I wrote about in my newsletter. You may have trouble finding all of the components in the complete omega-3 cofactors in other formulas.
To reduce your personal toxic load, read Nena Baker’s book and website, TheBodyToxic.com. Don’t miss her excellent resources section. SafeCosmetics.org will help you select safer personal care products.
*Note: Always buy organic strawberries, never eat conventional strawberries (Dr. Weil). Try to eat organic vegetables and fruit whenever possible. Make sure you understand food and drug interactions, such as green leafy and cruciferous vegetables and anticoagulant drugs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
This blog was posted on the wonderful blog “We Blog The World,”