Antioxidants are organic substances that neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals in the body and assist in slowing down the aging process, preventing diseases, and maintaining the immune system. What are the most potent antioxidants, where can they be found, and how much is recommended to consume?
The incorporation of natural antioxidants or anti-oxidants into your daily diet allows your body to access the highest-quality "toolbox" of essential substances that benefit your body. These are substances that slow down the aging and damage processes of cells, which are caused by oxidation originating from free radicals circulating within. Natural antioxidants help preserve physical and cognitive abilities, even in older age.
What are Free Radicals?
Free radicals are the byproducts of natural processes that occur in our bodies during cellular respiration. These are essentially free electrons that damage healthy cells and cause various harms, such as the weakening of bones, joints, organs, and connective tissues, compromising the immune system, the appearance of aging signs, and more.
What are Antioxidants?
Just for the sake of comparison, think of your body as a car. When the metal in a car comes into contact with oxygen, it may rust. If we coat the car with an anti-rust protection, it will stay in excellent condition and won't rust quickly. Similarly, our bodies also have "anti-rust agents," and these are antioxidants.
Regularly ingested antioxidants also operate through a gradual step-by-step process, but their nature is the opposite of free radicals. They counteract oxidation and enable the body to effectively combat these harmful substances. Therefore, antioxidants may prevent the development of diseases or alleviate existing health problems, repairing the remaining damage caused by the actions of free radicals.
Antioxidants - What's the Origin of the Name?
Antioxidants, as their name suggests, are molecules whose function is to stop the harmful oxidation caused by free radicals, which lead to cell damage. The importance of antioxidants is manifested physically in the natural protection they provide, thanks to neutralizing the oxidation process. Therefore, they are considered an effective and essential 'protective layer.
Role of Antioxidants
The human body is constantly in a state of "battle." At all times, our body's cells are exposed to a wide range of harmful elements and threats. Therefore, they require the most effective "weapon" to combat these threats and neutralize them.
Antioxidants are like "well-armed soldiers" working in favor of the body by neutralizing one of the constant threats: free radicals. While free radicals constantly strive to "steal" electrons from our body's cells, alter their genetic structure, and thereby damage them, antioxidants provide electrons to free radicals, preventing them from attacking our body's cells and halting the destructive process.
Types of Antioxidants
Various types of natural antioxidants exist and can be found in foods consumed by people worldwide. Among them are:
Vitamin E
A powerful antioxidant that reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol in the body and thus reduces the risk of heart diseases. Vitamin E is abundant in nuts, whole grains, and dark leafy vegetables such as wheat germ and spinach.
Carotenoids
Antioxidants that, among other things, help balance blood sugar levels, improve lung function, and slow down the aging process. Carotenoids can be found in vegetables and fruits with yellow, orange, and red colors, such as peppers, carrots, and squash.
Lycopene
One of the well-known antioxidants, known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and contribute significantly to skin health and eye health. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, but it can also be found in other foods like red bell peppers and guava.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a vital part of the body's defense against diseases. It acts as an antioxidant that prevents oxidative damage to cells, aiding in wound healing, hormone regulation, and more. Vitamin C is found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits, broccoli, and potatoes.
Vitamin A
Beta-carotene is the precursor to this essential vitamin, found in both animal and plant-based foods. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining the proper functioning of the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. It can be found in dairy products, liver, fruits like mangoes and apricots, and vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes.
Coenzyme Q10
(CoQ10) This enzyme plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood flow and preventing the buildup of fats in blood vessels. A consistent and balanced intake of CoQ10 can help prevent heart diseases and also has added benefits for male fertility. Coenzyme Q10 is found in animal-based foods like fish and meat, but the body's natural ability to absorb and utilize it is limited, so taking supplements can meet the body's CoQ10 needs.
Glutathione
Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that works strongly against conditions like asthma, various behavioral disorders, and even cancer processes. Additionally, it supports the crucial functions of other antioxidants like vitamins C and E. Foods rich in glutathione include asparagus, okra, strawberries, and more, with a preference for the uncooked form of these foods to preserve the glutathione content.
Resveratrol
A type of polyphenol antioxidant is found in popular foods such as chocolate, grapes, and wine. As part of the body's defense mechanisms, it helps reduce inflammation and slow down the aging process.
Curcumin
Curcumin is a compound found in the root of turmeric, which has unique antioxidant properties. Consistent consumption of curcumin provides the body with an optimal defense against bacteria, comparable to the anti-inflammatory capabilities of antibiotics. Adding curcumin to your diet will enable the body to effectively combat infections and diseases while strengthening the immune system.
Antioxidant Consumption
Natural antioxidants are found in food, but they can also be taken as dietary supplements after precise consultation and adjustment of the required antioxidant quantity for the body. The dosage of antioxidant-containing dietary supplements must be tailored to the body's needs, as excessive dosing can have the opposite and undesirable effect and may even harm the body.
Bio Protective Curcumin - Dietary Supplements Containing Antioxidants
A natural formula based on the component curcumin - an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
The impact of curcumin on the body is expressed in various areas, such as antiviral and antibacterial activity, protection of the digestive system, liver, cardiovascular system, nervous system, relief of arthritis, and influence on the immune system.
When inflammatory processes occur in the body, one common issue is the development of infections due to the presence of bacteria.
Curcumin has distinct anti-inflammatory properties that can assist against the inflammatory process, making it particularly suitable for conditions rooted in inflammatory processes.
The mechanism embedded in the Bio-Protective Curcumin dietary supplement is capable of breaking down the biofilm, a protective layer that shields bacteria colonies, rendering them resistant to various types of antibiotics.
To enhance the effectiveness and speed of action of curcumin, it is important to address bacterial infection that develops in the inflammatory area. The inflammatory development is prevented by the ingredient Berberis aquifolium, which acts to eliminate bacteria on a broad scale and essentially functions as an antibiotic, in addition to the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin.
The oregano extract present in the product also has the ability to break down the biofilm layer and aids in the product's effectiveness.
The unique formula of Bio-Protective Curcumin combines dill seeds (Anethum graveolens), known as shmir, which help remove the protective layer of bacteria and thereby prevent their spread in the body, strengthening the positive effects of curcumin. The exclusive formula of Bio-Protective Curcumin leads to improved absorption, ensuring optimal efficiency, and it contains a higher quantity than most commonly available products on the market, enhancing the body's ability to absorb curcumin.