Antioxidants play a vital role in human health because they fight free radicals, which are a type of highly reactive, uncharged molecule that attacks healthy molecules closest to them. These free radicals can cause everything from inflammation to cancer.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “The best way to build a healthy eating plan is to eat well-balanced meals and snacks each day and to enjoy a wide variety of foods.”

They recommend eating at least 2 cups of fruits and about 2 1/2 cups of vegetables each day for healthy living. That type of plan, along with low-calorie, fiber-rich foods, will give you the widest range of antioxidants to help your body combat diseases.

You cannot add just one type of antioxidant to your diet and expect to lower your risk for diseases across the board. There are different types that perform different functions at different levels. For example the same antioxidants that fight memory loss may not fight a physical condition such as cancer or heart disease.

As magazine writer Maria Masters wrote in a 2010 issue of Men’s Health, “Some antioxidants excel at fighting certain types of free radicals…while others are effective only in specific parts of a cell. Still others can battle free radicals only under the right conditions.”

The Many Sources of Antioxidants

Some antioxidants are derived from the foods you eat, while others can be obtained through some type of vitamin supplement. Regardless of how you choose to get your antioxidants, here are some of the most necessary types and their sources.

• Carotenoids – Beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein are the best known among this family of antioxidants. The Carotenoid family of antioxidants helps lower the risk of cancers such as cancer of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, and prostate cancers.

• Vitamin E – An antioxidant is the primary role of Vitamin E, which helps protect from free radicals which create cell damage that leads to cancer. You can find Vitamin E in vegetable oil, margarine, wheat germ, whole grains, nuts, salad dressings, and peanut butter.

• Vitamin C – Citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and broccoli are all rich in Vitamin C, which can help produce collagen which helps protect your blood vessels. It also gives you extra protection during workouts, because it prevents broken capillaries.

• Glutathione – Raw dairy products, meats and eggs are all packed with glutathione, often referred to as “The Mother of All Antioxidants”. Glutathione is incredibly important for battling free radicals in the body, repairs brain tissue to fight against cognitive decline, give you more energy, and boosts your immune system.

In today’s society there are toxins everywhere you look – in chemicals used to create furniture in our homes, in the designer clothes we wear, and in the electronics we use to navigate through daily tasks. Even if you’ve gone green, you are not immune to the risks.

The more modern our life gets, the more toxins we can expect to find in our environment! That’s why it’s important to get enough antioxidants to offset the risks of our toxic world and lifestyles. It’s much higher now than it was for our grandparents or even their grandparents.

The Importance of Adding Glutathione Supplements

As we get older, vitamin deficiencies can present symptoms that mimic bigger problems like high blood pressure or Alzheimer’s disease. Taking a supplement that includes the recommended daily allowance plus glutathione is imperative for seniors who want to live the healthiest life possible.

Glutathione is an antioxidant that helps fight the symptoms of aging. It provides a boost to the immune system that will not only counterbalance the effects of toxins that cause inflammatory-related diseases, but it can also optimize your central nervous system and improve brain function.

In short, glutathione is like a bulletproof vest for your good cells which helps keep them safe during attacks from free radicals. When you don’t have enough, toxins build up and make you more vulnerable to problems like digestive problems, lethargy, and memory loss.

However when you take steps to increase glutathione levels in your body by taking some type of a vitamin supplement, then you are fighting everything from the common cold to some types of cancers. There is really no good reason to skip taking a doctor-approved vitamin supplement each day.

There are so many safe, natural ways to get the recommended daily allowances of what your body needs. If you are unsure what you should be doing due to dietary constraints, a current medical condition, or some type of drug interaction, then it is time to consult with your doctor and make a plan to boost your antioxidants now.

About Author : Bill Lawrence spent more than a decade in the pharmaceutical industry after receiving a BSc in biochemistry from Simon Fraser University in Canada. His discouragement at seeing more and more companies treat symptoms rather than actual health problems led him to create the site http://www.healthtraits.org which addresses today’s health concerns while promoting natural products.
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