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Antioxidants are primarily known for their detoxification properties. However, not much is known about them beyond this. To begin with, antioxidants are divided into 3 categories. The first type is known as enzymes.
They are naturally synthesized in the body and strengthen the immune system. The second type is known as Vitamins. They are not produced by the body naturally.
Thus, they have to be consumed with food and fruits, and they are needed for the proper neurochemical functioning of the brain. The third type is Phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are produced by plants.
They are anticancerous. Thus, we bring forth our list of 9 most effective antioxidants, 3 from each category, that benefit our body the most.
3 Antioxidants From The Category Enzymes And Their Benefits:
1. Superoxide Dismutase:
This is an amazing natural antioxidant that offers various benefits. It is produced by the body on its own. Hence, this is not a dietary antioxidant. Dietary antioxidants are the ones that have to be consumed since they cannot be produced by the body naturally. They offer various health benefits.
Superoxide Dismutase controls, regulate, and increases the body’s metabolism. This improves digestion and reduces constipation. It makes the body stronger by increasing the formation of white blood cells. White blood cells are natural body protectors, since fight against all infection-causing microbes.
Thus, the body’s immune system becomes better. Superoxide Dismutase is also needed for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. This increases concentration and makes the memory sharper. This antioxidant also increases the formation of red blood cells that carry oxygen to the body cells in the form of hemoglobin.
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2. Glutathione Peroxidase:
This enzyme antioxidant is a natural free-radical diluting agent that protects the body’s tissues and cells from damage. Just like the body produces natural antioxidants, it also produces natural free radicals. Hydrogen peroxide is one such free radical that the body produces on its own.
And glutathione peroxidase dilutes hydrogen peroxide to save the body from harmful free radicals that are the major reasons behind early aging and indigestion. This reduces toxicity and acidity by restoring the body’s normal pH level.
The alkaline conditions produced by glutathione peroxidase make the cells healthy and saves them from the risk of dehydration and degeneration.
3. Glutathione Reductase:
This amazing natural antioxidant in the body protects the cells from every type of internal and external damage. It increases the body’s metabolic rate and triggers the formation of healthy cells and tissues.
This reduces toxicity. Thus, it keeps the body’s pH level neutral. As a result, acidity, bloating, gas, and stomach cramps get reduced. This is why Glutathione Reductase also helps in easing menstrual cramps. It is one major solution against constipation and irritating bowels.
The most enticing benefit of this natural antioxidant is that it increases the working efficiency of the antioxidants that belong to the class vitamin. This makes the body stronger and immune to diseases and cell damage.
3 Antioxidants From The Category Vitamins And Their Benefits:
4. Vitamin C:
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is one of those rare water-soluble antioxidants that cannot be synthesized by the body naturally. But it is essential for the body’s proper functioning. It is readily present in abundance in citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, apples, and grapes.
Its main function is to repair all the damaged cells and tissues of the body. It basically triggers the formation of white blood cells. White blood cells protect the body against pathogenic attacks. Thus, vitamin C makes the immune system stronger.
It repairs the body’s tissues and cells by repairing damaged collagen and forming new collagen. Collagen is the body’s natural protein that repairs damaged cells, muscles, and tissues. It also reduces the risk of health conditions like scurvy, heart attacks, and cancer. It also slows down the process of aging.
5. Vitamin E:
Vitamin E is yet another dietary essential antioxidant that the body needs for normal functioning. It can penetrate deep within the cells and tissues, unlike some other antioxidants, because it is fat-soluble. It kills free radicals and removes them from the cell plasma.
Thus, it makes the body stronger at the cellular level. This makes the tissues stronger. This is why this antioxidant is readily used by bodybuilders for muscle building. It also reduces bad cholesterol and converts it into good cholesterol.
Thus, it decreases the chances of cardiac arrest. It also reduces belly fat and helps people in losing weight. Some of the best sources that are loaded with the goodness of Vitamin E are eggs, green leafy vegetables, and nuts.
6. Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is an amazing antioxidant that basically works on the superficial i.e. epithelial level. It is basically found in broccoli, eggs, spinach, mango, milk, and carrots. It makes the eyesight shaper by increasing the flexibility of the retina.
This helps people with weak eyes since it makes it easier to see in darkness. it is soluble in fat, it can easily penetrate within the epidermal cells. It also reduces the risk of skin cancer, because this antioxidant keeps cell division and multiplication under control.
3 Antioxidants From The Category Phytochemicals And Their Benefits:
7. Lutein:
Lutein is a powerful antioxidant that protects the eyes, especially the retina, from oxygen and light damage. It is also capable of keeping the eyes safe from macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is an age-dependent eye syndrome that can lead to the formation of a cataract.
It can also cause partial blindness. Both these eye conditions are incurable. Lutein not just prevents the eyesight from weakening, it can also restore the vision to normal again. It basically regulates and controls the contraction and expansion of eye muscles. This keeps the retina flexible.
8. Lycopene:
Lycopene is one of the most popular antioxidants because it is one of those rare antioxidants that can prevent cancer. It is much more powerful than even Vitamin E that is considered to be the most vital antioxidant that the body needs for normal functioning and metabolism.
Lycopene has amazing sugar regulating, controlling, and metabolizing properties. Thus, it reduces the risk of diabetes. In fact, it is highly beneficial for people suffering from diabetes. Since it is the best of all antioxidants, free radicals stand no chance.
It easily dissolves extra fat and converts bad cholesterol into good cholesterol. Thus, it reduces weight and the risk of a heart attack. It can inhibit the formation of brain tumors as well as cataracts, irrespective of age.
9. Anthocyanin:
Anthocyanins are much more than just coloring agents. They are immunity boosters that can regulate the sugar level in the blood. Thus, they are exceptional agents that help people suffering from diabetes.
They are anti-inflammatory as well. Thus, they offer maximum protection from cold, flu, viral infections, and pain caused due to inflaming conditions like fever, muscular degeneration, and arthritis. They are also one of those rare antioxidants that strengthen the eyes against diseases and infections.
They can be particularly beneficial for people suffering from partial night blindness. This is because anthocyanins increase the retina’s flexibility that makes it easier to see at night/in darkness.
The above-mentioned 9 antioxidants are the best free radical combating agents that offer multiple other health benefits too. They are nutritious. Hence, they keep the body fit by increasing its immunity.
Best antioxidants for skin health care
The advantages of antioxidant-rich foods – for inside and out health – can’t be overstressed. That’s true even with regards to obtaining a more healthy complexion that glows, as this 518-word article attests.
Citing recommendations from professionals within the subject of vitamins, included is information that accommodates three widespread antioxidant vitamins in addition to the finest sources.
Though there is no such thing as conclusive proof that antioxidants maintain pores and skin from aging, specialists do agree they have the flexibility to ‘seize’ free radicals and will defend us from sure illnesses. Antioxidant-rich meals may give us a more healthy, glowing complexion.
In response to Susan M. Kleiner, R.D., Ph.D., a Seattle-based nutritionist, consuming meals wealthy in antioxidants is finest. “There’s no substitute for getting vitamins using meals. The physique absorbs and assimilates them much better than in complement type.”
Kleiner suggests following the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Food Information Pyramid and consuming three to 5 servings of greens and two to 4 servings of fruit every day. Select at the least one citrus fruit, akin to an orange, a tangerine, or a grapefruit, for vitamin C. To extend beta-carotene consumption, eat at the least two orange-yellow or leafy inexperienced greens every day.
Eat Proper for Youthful Wanting Pores and skin
Maintaining a healthy diet equals younger-looking pores and skin. Consuming a cup of orange juice and consuming one uncooked carrot offers twice the Advisable Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C and beta-carotene.
The RDA for vitamin E is more durable to satisfy, particularly for these on a low-fat weight-reduction plan.
“Don’t be afraid to add a few tablespoons of olive oil to your weight-reduction plan, or to eat some nuts or seeds,” advises Dr. Kleiner.
The next guideline can be utilized for RDAs for 3 of the most typical antioxidant vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene; good sources and the way finest to maximize advantages of every are included.
Vitamin C:
RDA at the least 60 mg. (1/2 cup orange juice = 70 mg.) Citrus fruits and juices and tomatoes are good sources of vitamin C. Eat the entire fruit for additional fiber. Keep away from juice in glass containers and heat-pasteurized juice. Mild and warmth destroy several vitamin C.
Vitamin E:
RDA 8 mg for girls / 10 mg. for males (1 tablespoon of canola oil = 9 mg.) Good sources embody nuts, seeds, and their oils, fatty fish akin to salmon, mackerel, halibut, and trout, and wheat germ. Use canola, olive, or one other vegetable oil rather than butter or margarine when cooking.
Beta-carotene:
no established RDA. Professional Dr. Kleiner, nevertheless, recommends 5-6 mg. ( One carrot = 12 mg.) Orange and yellow-greens, and leafy inexperienced greens, together with broccoli, are all good sources.
As a substitute for potato chips or popcorn for a night snack whereas watching tv, go for prepackaged, washed, and peeled child carrots.
If you happen to really feel you’re unable to satisfy the RDAs using a weight-reduction plan alone, by all means, take an all-in-one antioxidant vitamin complement a day, however, proceed to concentrate on wealthy meal sources.
As a result of many over-the-counter cosmetics containing antioxidants don’t have sufficient to be completely effective by themselves, it’s best to ‘feed’ them to your pores and skin together with a wholesome, antioxidant-rich weight-reduction plan for younger-looking pores and skin.