Antioxidants
ANTIOXIDANTS: Buzzword or Buzz-worthy?
Antioxidants are powerhouse ingredients that essentially serve as bodyguards to protect healthy cells from free radical attacks and oxidative stress damage. By doing so, they help maintain proper bodily functions and guard your overall health.
Did you know, the body generates free radicals as by-products of normal bodily functions (e.g. digestion, breathing, detox, ageing) as well as in response to external environmental insults, such as tobacco smoke, fumes, ultraviolet sunrays, X-rays and air pollution? Free radicals do however serve a purpose. They are used by the immune system to locate damaged tissue so that they can be removed from the body. Therefore it is important that the body is functioning optimally, so that it is not overwhelmed with the number of free radicals present.
The modern lifestyle seems to be getting busier every year. As we push our bodies to do more, see more and be more, we are to exposed free radicals, inflammation and stress which can damage our cells. This creates an urgent need for more nutrients to protect us, especially antioxidants. But how? Getting the right balance and variety is not always possible, for many reasons including lack of time, nutrition knowledge, restrictive diets or avoidanceof certain foods for health, religious or preferences, seasonal availability, poor food quality and malabsorption syndromes.
In the world of nutraceutical supplements, the sources of specific antioxidants include:
- Multivitamins like vitamin A, C, E
- Minerals such as zinc, selenium, copper, manganese
- Amino acids such as lycine, glutamine, histidine, arginine, glutathione and lipoic acid
- Omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and doxosahexaenoic (DHA) acids
- Polyphenols that are mainly herbs
- Carotenoids (Beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene) making carrots orange and tomatoes red
- Anthocyanins (cranberry, resveratrol, bilberry, soybean, hibiscus) responsible for the red, purple, blue and even black colour pigments of foods
- Flavonols give many foods their yellow hue like curcumin, turmeric, quercetin, aspalathin-rich rooibos extracts)
- Isoflavonoids – soybeans, tofu, lentils, peas and milk
- Allium sulphur compounds (sulforaphane, allicin) like garlic, ginger, and mushrooms
Nativa Complex® supplements contain a powerful combination of high levels of antioxidants, that offer health benefits beyond just immune health.
Plants naturally create antioxidants to protect themselves from free radical damage through the process of photosynthesis.
Antioxidants work best together, they love variety and synergy.
Antioxidants play a vital role in anti-ageing and longevity.
Today, 40% of herbs are still found or used in prescription drugs. 1
Reference: ①Steinar Dragland, Haruki Senoo, Kenjiro Wake, Kari Holte, Rune Blomhoff (May 2003).Several Culinary and Medicinal Herbs Are Important Sources of Dietary Antioxidants. The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 133, Issue 5, Pages 1286–1290, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/133.5.1286. ② T Alan Jiang. Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices (1 March 2019).. Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volume 102, Issue 2, Pages 395–411, https://doi.org/10.5740/jaoacint.18-0418.
Coffee is the #1 source of antioxidants in the American diet.3
Reference: â‘¢ Joe Vinson. (29 August 2019). American Chemical Society Coffee is number one source of antioxidants in the American diet. Available at https://phys.org/news/2005-08-coffee-source-antioxidants.html Accessed 23 February 2023.
Are antioxidants stored in the body?
Are animal foods rich in antioxidants?
Today, 40% of herbs are still found or used in prescription drugs1
Reference: ①Carlsen, M.H., Halvorsen, B.L., Holte, K. et al. The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide. Nutrition Journal Volume 9, Issue 3 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-9-3 ② Mark Blumenthal, Lori Glenn, Mariann Garner-Wizard, Shari Henson, Dani Hoots, Samaara Robbins, Gavin Van De Walle. Antioxidant Content of Foods, Beverages, Spices, Herbs, and Supplements. (30 July 2010).. American Botanical Council. Volume 102, Issue 2, Pages 395–411, https://doi.org/10.5740/jaoacint.18-0418.
Tips to power-up your antioxidant intake
- Eat the skin on fruits and vegetables
- Eat foods raw or lightly steamed. Don’t overcook or boil them.
- Avoid reheating foods
- Avoid draining out soaking or cooking water
- Avoid excessive sun exposure in one shot
- Don’t leave food in a closed up car or direct sunlight
- Quit smoking & high alcohol intake
- Add antioxidant supplements into your daily routine
Supplement your overall health and beauty routine from within
- Vitamins: vitamin A-C-E
- Minerals: zinc, selenium, copper, manganese
- Fatty acids: Omega-3
Buffered Vitamin C : where health meets flavourful taste
- Vitamins: vitamin C
- Minerals: calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous
Pick and choose either 500mg or 1000mg Vitamin-C?
- Vitamins:Vitamin C
*The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
