Antioxidants – key role in building Immunity
What are antioxidants?
We know that antioxidants are important and we think they are useful, but why exactly? Are antioxidants important in preventing chronic diseases and slowing down ageing processes? The concept of antioxidants is used quite often, but can we actually understand what it means for our health? Let’s take a closer look at Antioxidants – key role in building Immunity
The antioxidant is a substance that prevents oxidation.
What is oxidation?
By using scientific terms, we can say that oxidation is a substance’s accession to oxygenation. Imagine a freshly cut apple or avocado that turns into air brown, a nail that begins to rust or a copper monument that turns green. These are daily examples of oxidation. In most cases, oxidation leads to damage or destruction.
Oxidation is caused by free radicals, “unruly little characters”, which have been released from their usual home and now go to the neighbourhood to explore and create confusion. Free radicals adversely affect cell walls, proteins, DNA expression, which in turn can trigger various illnesses. Antioxidants are compounds that protect us from these processes.
In nature, antioxidants are found abundantly, as plants use them to protect themselves. Nutrients contained in natural Whole Foods (fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grain) are necessary to restore in-body biochemical processes. Despite this, our body is sometimes not enough to have antioxidants. The realities of today’s modern world – urbanization, intensive agriculture (fencing of farmland and soil), rapid and stressful lifestyles, access to fast food are the result of this situation. Therefore, it is not always possible to provide enough nutrients for the body to disarm free radicals.
Although the emergence of free radicals in the body is a natural process, we can also get free radicals from the environment. They are found, for example, in burnt and fried foods, in domestic chemistry, in cosmetics and in contaminated air.
It should now be clear how antioxidants help to avoid ageing, protect against chronic diseases, reduce the likelihood of illness, improve mental health and memory and contribute to overall health.
What can we do to protect ourselves?
Eat as much as possible local and/or organic food
Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, berries and whole grains
Reduce intake of processed foods (ideally, eliminate them from your menu)
Maintain a good mood, drink enough water and avoid stress
Keep your gut healthy and tidy. Good digestion is the foundation of good health!
Antioxidants – key role in building Immunity
Add nutrients to your menu to help support antioxidant activity:
Turmeric –
Turmeric has an active component of curcumin. This spice is known for its anti-tumour, memory-enhancing and anti-ageing properties.
Vitamin C –
Vitamin C improves immune cell function (macrophages & T-lymphocytes)
Vitamin D –
Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and helps to prevent the development of autoimmune diseases.
Probiotics –
Probiotics are commonly associated with digestive and immune system health, but good bacteria can also help reduce oxidation and inflammation. Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics.
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