Antioxidants Keep Looking Young

As we approach middle age and older, one of the most popular things people want to do, especially women, is to look more youthful by trying to eliminate or at least minimize facial wrinkles as much as possible. Some resort to expensive surgical procedures such as a face lift, which can be dangerous. Still others spend hundreds of dollars every year on cosmetics and skin care products that contain a substance called antioxidants, which. slows down the aging process.

Whether you opt to have surgery or use countless creams or lotions in the hopes of looking more youthful, neither one of these options one chooses is the optimal choice because they are only applied to the surface of the skin. Since the body does not produce antioxidants, a more effective and less expensive and safe way is through a variety of foods and supplements rich in antioxidants.

The body undergoes a process called cellular metabolism. During this process, the body produces energy, cells, and repairs damaged cells. This process generates unstable molecules called free radicals, which damage your body. These free radicals are unstable because they are missing an electron and it attempts to stabilize free radicals will steal electron from healthy cells causing serious damage.

The results are visible and invisible changes to our bodies. The development of diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and neurological deficiencies may begin to affect you as you age. Thinner skin wrinkles and brittle bones are a problem. Free radicals enter the body from outside sources as well such cigarette smoke, radiation and the sun's UV rays. The more free radicals we encounter, the greater the damage that can be done.

Antioxidants have been shown to significantly help in the free radical problem. Antioxidant substances combine with free radicals and neutralize them. Once they are neutralized, they can no longer do any damage. Scientists don't have any idea of a recommended daily dose of antioxidants to correct free radical damage and the diseases that come with age, but they do know that eating foods rich in antioxidants makes a huge difference in how we live.

Fruits and vegetables contain the principle sources of antioxidants. Examples of antioxidants include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Lutein, Lycopene, and Beta-carotene. Certain minerals like zinc and selenium also function in the body. They are not antioxidants but they boost the immune system to fight against free radical damage.

Antioxidants are also found in nuts, legumes, cold-water fish, seafood and red meat. So, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and the five top antioxidants listed below will increase the amount of antioxidants in your system and help reduce the disease. Eating fruits and vegetables in their natural form instead of juices brings the benefit of other nutrients found in the foods. Your body does not need juices that contain a lot of sugar.

Five Top Antioxidants:

1. Pomegranate. Rich in vitamins A, B, and C, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, sodium and fiber.
2. Goji. Rich in polysaccharides; with 18 amino acids, vitamins A, C, B, and E, 21 minerals, proteins, fiber and Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils.
3. Acai Berry. Contains 10 to 33 antioxidants than grapes used for red wine.
4. Noni. Contains polysaccharide-based nutrients, organic acids, vitamins and minerals.
5. Mangosteen. Known as "The Queen of Fruits" and possesses high levels of xanthones

A healthy diet rich in antioxidants from natural sources can cause us to live healthy and longer lives at any age.

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