Tuesday, August 26, 2008
More Great General Health Resources.
Most people have heard about how antioxidants can fight cancer, but not everyone knows that antioxidants and the brain go together as well. The power of these nutrients to fight the effects of aging may be as important as their ability to fighting cancer.
The power of antioxidants is their ability to neutralize "free radicals". Free radicals are unstable particles in the body that can damage healthy cells. Antioxidants bind with these particles and render them inert. When talking about antioxidants and the brain we are talking about how they prevent free radicals from causing damage to the brain.
Researchers believe that free radical damage is a contributing factor in various diseases and some of the decline in bodily functions that happen as we age. When talking about the brain one of the root causes of things like Alzheimer's or certain forms of dementia as well as loss of memory may be free radicals.
Studies are being done to determine how to maximize antioxidants in the body and hopefully prevent various diseases. In regard to the brain antioxidants are especially crucial. Free radical damage accumulates over time and with our society living longer the effect on our minds is greater.
So how do we get more antioxidants into our system? The primary way is through our diet. Vitamins E and C are the primary antioxidants that our bodies use. Beta-Carotene is another one. These are mostly found in fruits, vegetables and fish oil (in the case of E). It is important when we are looking at antioxidants and the brain protection they provide to first look at our diet and ensure we are getting enough fruits and vegetables.
Another way to get the protection we need is use supplements that provide brain antioxidants. Most of us know that we should eat better and have more fruits and vegetables in our diet, but doing it usually is a challenge. Getting the recommended daily intake of these foods is a goal that many fall short of each day. Supplements may be another effective method for getting our bodies the antioxidants it needs.
Aside from creating supplements for antioxidants and the brain helping protection they provide, many manufacturers are including other ingredients that many benefit the mind as well. Ingredients such as B complex vitamins which also help support the nervous system and help the brain (as well as the body) maximize energy from food. Also herbals like Ginseng and Gingko, which can improve blood flow to the brain and boost recall. Using brain antioxidants along with these other ingredients provides well rounded support of your brain.
As more research is done regarding antioxidants and the brain, the more we'll see how these powerful nutrients benefit us. In the meantime, it is important that we do all we can to ensure we get adequate amounts of these substances into our daily diet...either through the food we eat or with supplements. As always, when considering supplements discuss them with a medical expert familiar in supplements if you are taking prescription medications to avoid any possible interactions.
J. Wall has an avid interest in natural remedies for the treatment of memory loss. He is a regular contributor to the Brain Antioxidants section of www.memory-enhancement-guide.com, a site dedicated to improving mental ability and cognitive function. |
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