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> The power of antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect against free radical damage. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules which cause damage to cells and tissues of the body. Free radicals have been shown to be responsible for aging and the development of chronic diseases. A diet rich in antioxidants reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases and slows down the aging process. Antioxidants are best taken in combinations with each other.
Antioxidant nutrients include:
Vitamins A
- apricots, carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, egg yolk, liver, kidney, milk, yellow/orange vegetables.
Beta-carotenes
- carrots, yellow and red vegetables, tomato, tomato sauce, paste, juice, watermelon, guava, grapefruit).
Vitamin C
- Blackcurrant, broccoli, citrus fruits, guava, parsley, peppers, pineapple, potatoes, raw cabbage, rosehips, strawberries.
Bioflavonoids
- Buck wheat, citrus fruits, skins of fruit, vegetables and soy products, green growing shoots of all plants.
Vitamin E
- almonds, beef, corn, egg yolk, nuts & seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, whole grains, avocado, green leafy vegetables, tomato.
Coenzyme Q10
- fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines), beef, peanuts, spinach.
Selenium
- alfalfa, brazil nuts, cashews, crab, eggs, fish, garlic, human breast milk, kidney, liver, mackerel, oyster, tuna, wholegrain cereals.
Zinc
– lean red meat (Beef), ginger, liver, milk, oyster, shell fish, fish, nuts and sunflower and pumpkin seeds, whole grains.
Grape seed
Pine bark
Green tea
Bilberry
Gingko biloba
Lipoic acid
- liver, yeast.
Lycopene
- tomato juice, paste, sauce, watermelon, grapefruit, guava.
Article written by naturopath Lisa Guy.
Fitness First Newsletter
2005