How to Look Good and Feel Great

Did you know that the key to the ‘fountain of youth’ that we constantly search for is in our food?   It’s actually contained in something called antioxidants.   Yes, antioxidants are the key to looking younger and keeping your immune system strong which means you feel great!

Nutritionists have been telling us of the benefits of antioxidants for years and now there are numerous scientific studies to back up their claims.   Hang on a minute, what are antioxidants?

The main antioxidants are vitamins A,C and E along with the minerals Zinc and Selenium.   Other antioxidants are Co-Enzyme Q10, l-gluthathione and cysteine.   There are also the more recently discovered phytonutrients such as lycopene and lutein which also have antioxidant properties.

Studies have shown that antioxidants can help you to prevent and even reverse the visible signs of aging. They have also shown that they can help to protect your heart and prevent you from suffering from heart disease. Antioxidants also help in the prevention as well as fighting cancers, diabetes and other degenerative diseases.

Basically in order for your body to work it is multitasking constantly performing millions of processes at the same time for example breathing, blinking etc. These ‘tasks’ all involve oxygen because oxygen gives life – right? Well that is right, but oxygen can also have a bad side and can have side effects as it creates oxidant substances known as free radicals. Antioxidants go on a scavenger hunt against these free radicals and bond with them when they find them to prevent and repair any damage.

Free radicals are also introduced into the body by breathing in polluted air, exposure to the sun even exercising (exercising is still important for good health though). Other things that can cause free radicals to occur include stress (learn to reduce your stress), junk food, alcohol and cigarette smoking.

Oxidization with your car results in rust, the same process is what occurs inside your body with too many free radicals. Basically healthy cells are broken down as are proteins and fats and your body’s immune system is left wide open to attack. Degenerative diseases such as cataracts, heart disease and arthritis are vulnerable to an excess of oxidation inside.

As cells inside your body break down they can also show on your skin. Remember your skin is your largest organ. This means that if you have too much oxidization inside then it may show on the outside and you could see thinning skins, wrinkles, age spots etc.

The best way to get a good supply of antioxidants is to have an antioxidant rich diet (although you can take them in tablet/capsule form if you wish).   There are a number of foods that are high in antioxidant.   One of them is one of my favorite foods – chocolate!   Yes, that’s right chocolate is rich in antioxidants so you now have an excuse to eat it!  

Several studies have touted chocolate as being good for you due to it’s antioxidant properties.   The best chocolate to have is a dark chocolate with at least 80% cocoa solids.  

Another great source of antioxidants are berries.   All berries are high in antioxidants, although the Brazilian Acai berry is the latest to be hailed a superfood.   The acai berry has an unusual flavor by itself and I must admit I prefer the dark chocolate coated acai berries (chocolate + berry just has to be extra good!).   I would still look at including blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and cranberries into your antioxidant rich diet.

A handful of blueberries on your breakfast or a strawberry smoothie is a great way of getting berry goodness into your body.

Another great source of antioxidants is the very humble tomato.   The tomato has long been a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet and is rich in antioxidants whether eaten raw or cooked.   I must admit I couldn’t live without tomatoes, whether tossed with asparagus and balsamic vinegar as a side dish, or as a base for a pasta sauce or even just in a sandwich.

Tomatoes are high in an antioxidant called lycopene which has been found to be invaluable in treating night blindness as well as preventing a number of cancers including prostrate.

Broccoli has been heralded as a superfood for years because of it’s cancer fighting abilities.   What gives broccoli it’s power?   You’ve guessed it –antioxidants.   I love broccoli, although in recent years the attention has turned to broccoli sprouts which are home to even more antioxidants according to a study at Harvard.   Whichever you prefer I would say lets eat more broccoli!

Do you remember Popeye, the sailor man?   Despite constantly puffing on a pipe Popeye always stayed fit and healthy and as strong as a horse – why?   He loved spinach which is rich in antioxidants.   Spinach contains an antioxidant called lutein which seems to have a particularly fond affinity with the heart.

Nuts are another great source of antioxidants in particular walnuts.   In July 2002 walnuts reached the number 2 spot (behind blackberries) for their antioxidant properties according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

So in order to stay looking young and feeling great you need to include these foods in your regular diet.   Other foods that will help you to keep your antioxidant levels up include sweet potatoes, black beans, eggplant, pinto beans and kidney beans.