Striving for a Healthier Lifestyle

Copyright © AJ Aldridge, helping you strive for a healthier lifestyle

Antioxidants are chemicals that our body needs to repair and prevent damage to cells from the normal functions or the “wear and tear”. Our bodies need and use oxygen at every level. After the cells use the oxygen there is something left over called by products or free radicals. It is these free radicals that cause damage at the cellular level of our bodies. This damage can eventually lead to some forms of cancer and could also be additional factors of heart disease. Making sure that our diet contains sufficient amounts of antioxidants is an excellent way to improve your health.

The most common antioxidants are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium. Vitamin A can be found in carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and peaches. Vitamin C is most commonly known to be in citrus fruits such as oranges and limes. Though broccoli, green peppers, strawberries, leafy greens and tomatoes are also sources of Vitamin C. Nuts, seeds and whole grains are excellent sources of the antioxidant Vitamin E. Leafy greens vegetable and liver oil are also known to contain Vitamin E. Selenium can be found in red meat, eggs, chicken, fish and shellfish.

Different types of antioxidants are also found in foods. One of these are called polyphenols or flavonoids. These are in food such as soy, red wine, concord grapes, pomegranate, cranberries and tea. Another type of antioxidant is lycopene and is in tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon. Dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale, brussels sprouts and broccoli contain another antioxidant called lutein. Lignan is an antioxidant found in flax seed, oatmeal, rye and barley.

Keeping track of all the different foods you need to eat just try to remember to eat bright colored fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Eat a variety of these foods will help you get the necessary antioxidants and will also keep you from over loading on only one type of antioxidant. As the saying goes “strive for five” servings of fruits and vegetables.

The best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to eat the right foods and to have a complete and balanced diet. As life gets hectic or you are concerned about getting the needed antioxidants there are supplements available. When looking for supplements it is best to use those that are all natural, made from natural ingredients and not synthetics. Consult your doctor when making any changes in your routine. You are rewarding yourself when you strive for a healthier lifestyle.

AJ Aldridge is a stay at home mom of 4. She owns her own business teaching others how to succeed and to help others as they strive for a healthier lifestyle. See her website, Striving for a Healthier Lifestyle, for more information