Antioxidants are substances that may reduce,
neutralize, and prevent the damage done to the body by free radicals. Free
radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by
environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can
damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
Free radicals are simply electrons that are no longer attached to atoms. Instead
of circling the nucleus of an atom (much like the earth circles the sun), free
radicals are both free and radical enough to go careening through our cells,
inflicting damage as they go. In training terms you need to minimise the amount
of free radicals in your body to promote maximum muscle cell growth.
Antioxidants are present in foods as vitamins
and minerals among others. Many antioxidants are often identified in food by
their distinctive colours—the deep red of cherries and of tomatoes; the orange
of carrots; the yellow of corn, mangos, and saffron; and the blue-purple of
blueberries, blackberries, and grapes. The most well-known components of food
with antioxidant activities are vitamins A, C, and E.
The research continues to grow regarding the
knowledge of antioxidants as healthy components of food. When our body cells use
oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products) which can cause
damage. Research indicates that antioxidants can prevent or slow the oxidative
damage to our body. Antioxidants act as "free radical scavengers" and hence
prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. Because free radicals
are implicated in all these processes, minimizing and neutralizing their
activity with antioxidants may allow us to live longer and healthier lives, look
and feel better, and reduce or eliminate the risk of certain illnesses.
fitness.uk.net recommend supplementing with anti oxidants by including them in
your diet rather than taking a tablet or capsule. Green tea is an excellent
place to start - try drinking 2-3 cups a day as green tea is rich in
antioxidants and can be fitted easily into your nutrition plan.
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