Super antioxidant

Everyone knows how the comic book hero superman takes on the forces of evil to make the world a better place. Less well known are the health food equivalents that help wage the battle within our bodies against elements harmful to our health — the super antioxidants.

To understand exactly how super antioxidants serve as health preservers and enhancers, it is necessary to understand the fight that is continually taking place between antioxidants and free radicals.

Oxidation is a process required for metabolizing the fats and glucose our bodies use to create vital heat and energy. At the same time oxidation fulfils this indispensable role it creates as a by-product harmful compounds known as free radicals.

Antioxidants are the compounds in our body that defend body tissue against the free radicals and thereby prevent disease and slow down the aging process. They can be found in vitamins, minerals or enzymes absorbed from a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and drinks such as grape juice and teas.

In the same way that Superman had the powers to vanquish all his foes, the super antioxidant stands in the front ranks in the fight against the depredations of the free radicals on our fragile bodies.

So what are considered the leading super antioxidants?

The best known of all the master antioxidants is without doubt vitamin E. This humble vitamin absorbed from green vegetables, wheat germ and nuts, can apparently help to slow down the onset of Alzheimer's disease and even aid people suffering from infertility issues.

The ellagic acid commonly found in red raspberries, pomegranates and some other fruits, is considered an important factor in inhibiting the growth of abnormal cells and a valuable aid for the body in fighting killer diseases, reducing the risk of birth defects and improving the body’s natural self-healing powers.

Flavonoids are another well know leading antioxidant type. They are found in red and blue fruits and are also present in black and green teas. They are known to improve vision and their role in helping prevent heart and other serious diseases is currently under investigation.  

Perhaps less well known than the Flavonoids but still certainly deserving of the title of master antioxidant is Glutathione. The boosting of our immune systems and the removal of liver toxins from the body are major contributions to our health resulting from the activities of this powerful molecule that is found within every body cell. If you want to boost your Glutathione levels you can find it in avocado, broccoli and asparagus.