What Happens During The Free Radical Antioxidant War Provided By: www.healthsenior.net   We don't think a lot about the cells inside our bodies, perhaps because we can't see them. When we get sick or suffer from age-related conditions and diseases, we don't say, "Oh, darn, those cells are being torn up by free radicals again! Better spray some antioxidant on them." Maybe we should visualize what is going on inside our bodies. Perhaps then we would do what it takes in order to extinguish those free radicals with antioxidants. The free radical antioxidant war is raging in all of our bodies yet the good news is there is a way to win it. War Free radicals are the by-products left behind in our cells by normal bodily functions such as metabolism. In addition, irritants like pollution and tobacco smoke increase the free radicals. They cause cell damage and can even alter DNA. If the damage is not prevented or repaired, it multiplies itself by infecting and killing other cells, resulting in diseases such as cancer, heart disease and many others. These free radicals operate as the offense in the free radical antioxidant war. The essential antioxidants act as the defense. Let's look at some of those: Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin found in citrus fruits like oranges and other fruits and vegetables such as strawberries and broccoli. Our bodies do not make vitamin C nor does the body store it. It's very easy to get enough vitamin C daily even for those who may not be diet conscious. In fact, taking too many vitamin C supplements all at one time could have adverse affects. Vitamin C is essential to our overall health as it is able to remove those free radicals from inside the cells. Vitamin E and beta carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A, protect the cell membranes. Selenium, which is a trace mineral in our bodies, is also an antioxidant and while we only need a small amount of it, the job it does in protecting our cells from free radicals is vital to our well-being. Victory Some people scoff when they are advised to use their diet to fight cancer. That's exactly what we must do in the free radical antioxidant war: Fight! Even for those of us laypersons who don't know much about cancer, we do know that it has something to do with altered cells, cells that reproduce too much and cells that kill other cells. Since cancer has so much to do with "cells that have gone bad," it only makes sense to do everything in our power to repair those cells or even better, to prevent the cell damage in the first place. There are many more antioxidants than the vitamins mentioned here. Many herbs and spices are antioxidants and so are some nuts, seeds and grains. Cancer is only one of the diseases that a victory in the free radical antioxidant war can prevent or delay. There is also heart disease, strokes and diabetes just to name a few. When we can understand the processes going on inside our bodies, we may be more inclined to do what it takes to win the free radical antioxidant wars. Victory may be only a garden away! IMPORTANT: If you’d like more information on Free Radical Antioxidant Click Here