Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The What & Why Of Antioxidants

More than likely you have heard the term "antioxidant" by now. However, do you know what it is, why you need it or how you get it? Probably not. So, herein what you need to know about antioxidants will be explained.

The first thing that you need to know about in order to understand antioxidants is the process of oxidation. This is a fundamental and necessary biomechanical reaction. Not all forms of this process are helpful though. There are some that forms that happen at the wrong time and are thus disastrous to your health. However, antioxidants can be a big help in helping positive oxidation to occur so that you will have sustained, good health.

Antioxidants also play a key role in keeping the proteins in your cell membranes from being damaged. These proteins are large, complex and specialized molecules. They control the functions of important cell membranes, which are the basic defense system that lets nutrients in, sends waste products out and prevents entry of toxic and viral invaders. As such, they are actually responsible for immune responses. However, oxidation interferes with this process by splitting up the molecules and thus destroying it. Fatty acids can also be destroyed in this way.

It is important to understand that you can also come into contact with the oxidation process outside of your body. Sources for this include exposure to radiation, air pollution, synthetic hormones in food, pesticides, over-the-counter and prescription drugs and food additives. Of course, some of these things are things that you cannot easily avoid. This is why it is important to make sure that your body has plenty of antioxidants, which enable good oxidation to take place.

You can find antioxidants in really green, fast growing plants. This is because sunlight, which is a high-energy source, drives the photosynthesis process. In effect, photosynthesis is the opposite of oxidation. So, plants contain a large supply of antioxidants so that they can be protected from the dangers that sunlight can cause. It is these antioxidants that you will want to consume.

Some of the other great places wherein you can find antioxidants include immature barley and wheat grasses. Zinc also has a lot of antioxidant power, which is why it is used so much during the cold and flu season.

It is also a good idea to avoid partially hydrogenated foods whenever possible. This can be found in processed foods, air pollution and medications. A great way in which to counteract this is by drinking green tea, which has a lot of antioxidant power.

Furthermore, if all else fails, you can take specific vitamins so that you get more antioxidants. One of the best ones that I have found is Shaklee's Glucose Regulation Complex. This "food supplement," as Shaklee prefers to call their vitamins, contains both Zinc and antioxidants. As an added benefit, this is a good choice for diabetics who would like to get off of their glucose products. However, you should contact your doctor before starting it.

So, now that you understand just how important antioxidants are and where they can be found, you can start helping your body out by taking more of them. Here's to your good health!

Brenda Marie Hoffman is a published freelance author and a single mom. Thanks to her lucrative business: livin-smart she is able to stay home to homeschool her daughter.Bipolar Affective
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Diet After Weight-Loss Surgery

Think weight loss surgery is the only thing you need to get yourself thin? Think again. Weight-loss surgery requires certain lifestyle changes. If you are considering getting weight-loss surgery, you will need to be willing to change your exercising and eating habits. This will ensure that you loose the amount of weight you desire to after your surgery. Here are some dietary recommendations that you will need to consider before and after your surgery. By following these guidelines, your weight loss should be successful.

It is recommended that for the first three months after your weight-loss surgery, you eat only liquids and soft foods. This will give your upper stomach a break, with easier to digest foods and nutrients that are not so difficult to break down. If you choose to eat meat or harder foods during this time you will need to make sure that you chew it slowly and thoroughly. If you do not, the partially digested meat will cause painful side-effects.

Another modification to your eating habits that you will have to make is eating in smaller amounts. When you are morbidly obese your body needs more food to maintain the needed energy supply. However, this changes after surgery. Your dietary habits will need to change from eating large meals to eating smaller but more frequent meals throughout the day. Most who have had surgery go from eating larger meals to grazing, where they eat a little bits throughout the day and avoid large meals completely.

You will also need to make sure that you are taking the right vitamins and minerals. Iron, calcium, and B12 vitamins are often harder to maintain in your body. Because of this, you will need to take some supplements. You may also want to consider taking a multi-vitamin to ensure that your body is getting the right amount of nutrients every day. It is known that weight-loss surgery makes it more difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. This makes it more important to take the right amount of vitamins and minerals everyday.

Dietary habit changes also include not eating fatty foods or excessively sugary foods. Desserts and fast foods should be avoided even after most of your weight is lost. If a particular food has a lot of calories in it, it is probably best not to consume that kind of food for several months after your surgery. Taking it out of your diet completely will guarantee that you can loose the weight that you need quickly.

Those who have weight-loss surgery are expected to take in foods slowly at first and adopt a diet that will help them in their success. Without having the right vitamins, supplements and diet needs in place after surgery, the weight to stay on. Those that have had weight-loss surgery have often been successful with loosing weight quickly. This, however, is based on following specific dietary guidelines, making it one of the most important steps after your surgery.

Barbara Jones contributes to several online magazines, including info-healthy and healthy-lineFamous People With Bipolar
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