The best antioxidant supplement is not an additive at all. Brewed teas, especially those popular in Asian countries are said to process the
highest degree of antioxidant. Much has been written about green teas and their health benefit but some researchers have found that an even
rarer variety of white tea may be the best source of antioxidant tested so far. White tea is only made from the tea flowers and the most delicate
leaves and was used for royalty in ancient Chinese ceremonies. Studies have found that tea is especially preventative of gastric and esophageal
cancer.
One drawback to using tea is that it should be consumed soon after brewing as the polyphenols break down and bottled teas do not
have the same health attributes. It also needs to be consumed repeatedly and on a daily basis in order to maintain its antioxidants levels in the
body.
The phytochemical with the best antioxidant effect is hydroxytyroso which is the polyphenol that gives extra virgin olive oil its place as
the best antioxidant available in most western grocery stores. Blueberries, blackberries and red wine are commonly available and good sources
of antioxidants. There is also a lot to be said about lycopene found in high quantities in tomatoes and tomato products. Lycopene has been
found especially helpful in preventing prostate and breast cancer.
Antioxidant properties exist in vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and beta carotene which are said to be fat soluble. Vitamin C has water
soluble characteristics and the polyphenols that exist in dark vegetables and fruit are said to be surface active antioxidants.
Vitamin E or alpha-tocopherol is found in nuts but more so in sun flower seed kernels and almonds than in other varieties. Whole
grains, those with less processing, are also high in many antioxidants. In years past scientists believed that antioxidants were only present in
large amounts in fruits and vegetables but recent findings have found that the bran and germ, which is normally removed in processed flours,
actually have higher amounts of major antioxidants than very healthy vegetables. They further believe that this antioxidant content may account
for previous health benefits that were once associated with whole grains high fiber alone.
It is estimated that one-third of cancer deaths in the United States could be prevented through implementation of appropriate dietary
changes. Most evidence today suggests that there is a definite interaction between various phytochemicals which produces their health benefits
including but not limited to, their prevention of cancer. In other words it does little good to eat only carrots. It does no good to limit eating to
just a few foods even if these are considered to be healthy foods. For any positive cancer fighting to occur in the body a wide variety of foods
should be consumed. If that is not possible then supplementation of one or more nutrients may be necessary.
The United States Department of Agriculture releases new dietary guidelines every five years and 2005 was the most recent of these.
The food model was replaced with a new pyramid that very closely resembles earlier models.
Visit [url="http://www.stanley-home-products.com"]http://www.stanley-home-products.com[/url]

Categories
Search
Print Article
Send to a friend
Save as PDF