Boost your immune system with Antioxidant-rich foods
By rainbow
@rainbow (6761)
February 16, 2007 9:15am CST
If free radicals produced by our normal bodily processes build up they can damage cells, making us poorly. They are linked to low immunity, age related conditions and heart problems, Parkinsons Disease and some canceres.
Antioxidants neutralise the free-radicals so they cannot cause damamge. some are naturally in our bodies as enzymes but many are obtained from fruit and Veg.
Antioxidants include:
Vitamin C and beta-carrotine (found in lots of fruit and veg) Vitamin E (nuts and seeds)
Mixed carotenoids (dark coloured fruits)
minerals - sleeniium in brazil nuts and zinc in seafood.
So remember to eat your fruit and veg!!
If you are concerned about your diet always contact a qualified dietician. Before any major changes in diet or exercise regime, check with your Doctor.
2 responses
@Willowlady (10657)
• United States
16 Feb 07
It does my heart good to hear people spreading this useful information around. Truly a decent diet with foods from the garden is bound to help our bodies be strong and able to handle the stresses in our lives. Am glad that you have shared this as a starter since so many foods can be good for us. Buidling blocks for our bodies. Thanks so much for sharing this with Mylotians.
1 person likes this
@rainbow (6761)
•
18 Feb 07
I didn't want to go into too much detail but it's nice to be reminded why eating our fruit and veg is important.
I used to think of free radicals as a type of naughty army trying to take over my body when I was a kid and the good white blood cell army trying to clear them and any poorly bugs away, lol.
@manong05 (5027)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Yes you are right. I've always understood free radicals as unattached electrons of cells that wander thoughout the body creating havocs along the way. To remember what are good foods to combat free radical, I use the mnemonic ACES meaning vitamins A, C and E plus Selenium. Some books says Boron as well, I have very little knowledge of it and must do more research. With so many carcinogenic food around, we should be more health conscious nowadays.
1 person likes this
@rainbow (6761)
•
16 Feb 07
Thank-yo uso much for your reply I Love yout ACES mnemonci.
This is a fascinating subject if you can get interested enough.
I don't know a huge amount just that we must eat as large a variety of fresh fruit and veg as possible to look after our bodies.
Trans fats, preservatives, etc in processed foods are best avoided if at all possible although it is very hard to cut all of this from our diet with modern lifestyles.
It's just nice to remind everyone now and again about why we must eat at least 5 a day.
