Antioxidants Neutralize Free Radicals

Stress is a real thing, much different from physical exhaustion. With physical exhaustion the muscles and mind become over worked and tense. For most healthy bodies an afternoon of rest or a good restful nights sleep will leave the body refreshed and ready to begin a new day.

With mental exhaustion the mind keeps working even when the physical body is at rest. If the stress is a specific limited event, like a near miss on the freeway, although a bit shaken the mind recovers once the event is over. If the stress is a constant anxiety that occurs on a daily basis it is much more difficult to recover. A failed marriage, loss of job, constant nagging by a coworker or spouse can cause unremitting stress where the body reaches the stage of exhaustion.

The body will fight stress using a superficial energy that can be replaced with good nutrition, exercise, relaxation techniques. Stress can be greatly relieved by the elimination of bad habits such as consuming too much caffeine, alcohol and heavy smoking.

When under stress the body releases anti-stress hormones that are intended to give you a boost of energy. When feeling anxious you may get that boost of energy, but it soon wears off, leaving you more tired than before. On a subconscious level you may feel best when stimulated even if it is caused by the stress in your life, and you may be able to maintain that energy level artificially with a desire for coffee, sweets, alcohol or cigarettes. However, the body cannot continue to function on the need for chemicals or food for energy and it will begin to draw energy from the muscles.

There are ways to help our bodies cope with stress, the use of certain foods, vitamins and mineral supplements to boost your bodies ability to produce its own anti-stress hormones and help you resist the damaging effects of stress. For example free radical damage can be prevented with the use of antioxidants that will enable you to adapt to stress better and allow you to enjoy a longer healthier life.

The process of oxidation in the human body damages cell membranes, lipids and cellular proteins. When oxygen is metabolized, it creates 'free radicals' which pull electrons from other molecules causing damage. Oxidation can be accelerated by stress, cigarette smoking, alcohol, sunlight, pollution and other factors. Your body can cope with some free radicals and may even need them to function properly. However, the overload of free radicals has been linked to certain diseases, including heart disease, liver disease and some forms of cancer.

Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, and the minerals copper, zinc and selenium are found in certain foods that neutralizes free radicals. Other dietary food compounds, are found in various plant and animal products and are believed to have greater antioxidant effects than either vitamins or minerals.

Some examples of high antioxidants foods are cherries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Other good fruit sources are: pomegranate, grape, plum, pineapple, kiwi, grapefruit, apricots, prunes and dates.

Good vegetable sources are: Kale, chili peppers, red cabbage, bell peppers, parsley, artichoke, Brussels sprouts, spinach, lemon, ginger and red beets. Nuts such as pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and sunflower seeds. The spices cloves, cinnamon, oregano are also loaded with antioxidant properties.

Oxidation can be accelerated by, cigarette smoking, alcohol, extreme exposure to the sun, pollution and other factors. Antioxidants work like scavengers pulling free radicals from the body cells, to prevent stress and reduce the damage caused by oxidation.

Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Antioxidants