Antioxidants have been known to be healthy boosters for decades. These powerhouses of disease fighting forces attack unknown or foreign substances in the body and help slow the damage and decay of cells. From helping to guard against the common cold and gut issues, to aiding largely in the prevention of serious diseases like cancer and heart disease, integrating antioxidants into your life is a must. Naturally occurring antioxidants, although they can be made in a lab, are often found in nutrient rich foods like nuts, seeds, berries, leafy greens, and vegetables and some lean meats. The key to unlocking the power of antioxidants is to make healthy lifestyle choices to reap the benefits of their full health building potential. Discover some of the ways you can unlock the power of antioxidants by being proactive in your food choices, sleep routines, and physical activities.
Eat Healthy
Healthy foods containing large amounts of antioxidants should be included in everyone’s daily diet in order to harvest their power. Replace unhealthy sweet cravings with wild berries, blueberries, raspberries and almost any other variety of berry. Berries, especially wild berries, contain high amounts of antioxidants and not to mention are filled with fiber that helps with digestion and heals gut issues. Berries can also be infused into water for a flavor boost and an extra help of antioxidants. It’s an easy way to get a steady stream of antioxidant intake. As with any balanced diet it’s important to eat in moderation as berries are fruits and contain sugars, but it is a much better alternative to processed foods like candy, cookies, and cakes.
Certain oils can also help unlock the power of antioxidants. Oils have unfortunately been marketed as sources of weight gain and heart issues. While this can sometimes be true, healthy oils do not propagate these issues but in fact help to combat health issues because of their high content of antioxidants. When choosing oils, they should be sources from a single region, organic, cold pressed or expeller pressed. Choose olive oils that are stored in dark containers which help to retain not only flavor but their nutritive power.
Organic olive oil containing Carbon 60 is a great option for using a healthy oil and getting a power packed dose of antioxidant fighting power. C60, the shortened term for Carbon 60, is a highly effective antioxidant that can neutralize several free radicals simultaneously and reset itself to continue relieving oxidative stress. Carbon 60 extra virgin olive oil is available for purchase and is sold in dark bottles, cold pressed, and organic.
What we eat each day plays a major role in helping or hurting our bodies. When we fill our bodies with processed foods and sweets it inhibits the fighting power of antioxidants and only increases levels of oxidative stress in our bodies. Start making healthier choices each day and replace highly processed foods with natural and organic ingredients that have antioxidants to help your body heal, prevent illness, and boost overall health.
Sleep as an Antioxidant
Sleep, although not an ingredient, is a highly effective function in our body’s that turns into a type of antioxidant for our bodies as we rest. A lack of proper sleep and rest promotes a myriad of healthy issues and causes of antioxidant levels to wane. As we go about our daily lives and participate in routines and eat foods, we build oxidative stress. Interestingly enough, oxidative stress induces sleep and then sleep counteracts the free radicals by using sleep as an antioxidant to neutralize built up oxidative stress. Sleep is a system rest for our bodies and helps us wake up feeling energized, mentally alert, and boosts our immune system , an environment in which antioxidants can thrive.
Strive for 8-10 hours of sleep a night. Some research shows that women may need an extra hour or two of more sleep than men. To begin creating healthy sleep habits, start by turning off all electronics including the phone, tv, radio, and ipad, before bed. The blue light emanating from these high stimulating screens prevents our brains from shutting down fully for the night and causes more night time wakings. Along with turning off all electronics, use only dim light before bed, and then make sure your room is completely dark and cool while sleeping. As you continue to practice healthy sleep habits you’ll find your body is better able to handle invaders like viruses and bacteria because your regular intake and proactive steps to introduce antioxidants into your daily routine are working at full speed.