Tag Archives: antioxidants

21 Foods With The Most Antioxidants Per Serving

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What exactly are antioxidants? The simple explanation is that they are substances that help to either prevent or delay certain kinds of cellular damage caused by free radicals that affect biological life.

You can be exposed to free radicals from a variety of environmental sources, ranging from pollution to sunlight.

When out of control, free radicals can trigger oxidative stress, which occurs when free radicals exceed the body’ ability to deal with them. This can lead to cellular damage.

Scientists believe oxidative stress is a factor in a number of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, to name a few.

It’s easy to see, then, why something that counteracts oxidative stress is a big deal.

So where do you get antioxidants?

Antioxidants include vitamins, like vitamin C and E; and carotenoids, like beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

You can find these in a wide range of food sources. Fruits and vegetables in particular are an excellent source of antioxidants.

If you want to increase the amount of antioxidants in your diet, check out of the below foods that are some of the richest in antioxidants per serving, according ot a USDA official study.

21 Foods with the Most Antioxidants Per Serving

  1. Small red beans
  2. Wild blueberries
  3. Red kidney beans
  4. Pinto beans
  5. Cultivated blueberries
  6. Cranberries
  7. Artichokes
  8. Blackberries
  9. Prunes
  10.  Raspberries
  11.  Strawberries
  12.  Red delicious apples
  13.  Granny smith apples
  14.  Pecans
  15.  Sweet cherries
  16.  Black plums
  17.  Russet potatoes
  18.  Black beans
  19.  Plums
  20.  Gala apples
  21.  Dark leafy greens

Along with the foods listed above, you may also consider antioxidant supplements, like those from Core Med Science, Terry Naturally, and Pure Encapsulations.

Liposomal Glutathione Orange Citrus – Core Med Science

Liposomal Glutathione Orange Citrus and Liposomal Glutathione Softgels from Core Med Science are potent antioxidant supplements. You can take this formula in as a liquid or in capsule form. Both are formulated with 500 milligrams of glutathione per serving.

Glutathione is often referred to as a one of the best antioxidants for fighting oxidative stress. Liposomal Glutathione Orange Citrus is a liquid supplement that is easy to take with a dropper.

Liposomal Glutathione Softgels contains a similar formula but in a softgel formula that may be preferable for some people.

These supplements may support clearer thinking, energy, skin health, exercise performance and recovery, and decrease inflammation.

Clinical OPC Extra Strength French Grape Seed Extract 400 mg – Terry Naturally

Each serving of Clinical OPC Extra Strength French Grape Seed Extract 400 mg from Terry Naturally delivers 400 milligrams of VX1, a unique French grape seed extract that is standardized for only small-sized OPCs. What this means is that it’s formulated to ensure maximum absorption in the body, helping you to access its many potential benefits, including support for cardiovascular health, healthy blood sugar levels, immunity, cholesterol, weight management, blood pressure, liver function, focus, concentration, and more.

Quercetin – Pure Encapsulations

Quercetin from Pure Encapsulations is a bioflavonoid (a water-soluble plant pigment) that the body cannot produced on its own. Quercetin helps diminish the release of histamine in the body, and it also provides antioxidant support and promotes overall health by protecting and defending lipids from oxidation. This helps support capillary health, strength, and integrity.

What is your favorite way to get your antioxidants?

Try any of these foods and supplements and see if they make a difference in your life!

Antioxidants, Free Radicals and Cellular Health

FreeRadicalsJacquie Eubanks RN BSNGenerated by the body as inevitable byproducts of normal metabolic processes, free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS), must be balanced by antioxidants for proper physiological function. A certain amount of free radicals are required and produced by the immune system to help destroy invading pathogens and viruses. Some free radicals are necessary enzyme precursors, others aid in the production of vital hormones. The body’s ability to use oxygen and metabolize food into chemical energy depends on a chain reaction of free radicals. During this oxidation process, oxygen-charged molecules containing unpaired electrons are released. Electrons are negatively charged particles that normally occur in pairs. Free radicals are unstable atoms with unpaired elections making them highly reactive with other molecules.

There are many types of free radicals, as well as molecules that stabilize them. All free radicals share a voracious appetite for electrons. In order to stabilize itself, a free radical very quickly pulls an electron from the nearest stable molecule. This electron theft can radically alter the structure or function of the newly destabilized molecule, disrupting and damaging cell membranes and altering what may enter and exit the cell itself. Although under constant attack, the body is not defenseless against free radicals. By producing antioxidant substances, such as glutathione and ubiquinol, as well as extracting antioxidants from the diet, the body strives for homeostasis, a balance in all things.

Antioxidants are able stable enough to donate an electron to a free radical without becoming destabilized. Oxidative damage occurs when free radical production overwhelms the body’s antioxidant defenses. When the antioxidant supply is insufficient, excessive free radical formation can not only result in irreversible cellular, organ and tissue damage, but can harm nucleic acids, proteins and lipids as well. While free radicals are crucial to energy production and immune function, an excess of free radicals and low levels of antioxidants is associated with increased risk of developing many pathological conditions such as diabetes type 2, vision loss, atherosclerosis and cancer, as well as respiratory, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases. Free radicals are also linked to cellular aging, as the cellular damage inflicted may accumulate with age and hasten disease progression.

Many different factors can lead to an excess of health damaging free radicals. Radiation exposure, environmental pollutants, pesticides, tobacco smoke, heavy metals, alcohol, poor diet, pharmaceuticals, automobile exhaust and chemical solvents can all contribute to an excess of free radicals. Based on studies, some nutritional antioxidants will retard the aging process, suggesting that free radicals have a significant influence on aging, and that cellular damage can be controlled with adequate antioxidant defense. Further, optimal intake of antioxidants may positively influence life span by safeguarding genetic data during cell division.

Intense aerobic activity can induce oxidative stress.

Burning fuel in high intensity cardio exercise causes chemical reactions that form free radicals at a faster rate. However, those who exercise frequently appear to reduce oxidative stress initially brought on by physical activity, as unlike sporadic exercise regular exercise also enhances antioxidant defenses.

A healthy and varied plant-based diet helps combat free radical damage.

Antioxidant nutrients are found in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Nutrients that have demonstrated the ability to help prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress include vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, alpha-lipoic acid, selenium and more. Principle micronutrient vitamins C, E and beta-carotene must be supplied through diet or supplementation. Antioxidants work synergistically to neutralize free radicals, as each has its own unique chemical behaviors and biological properties. A diet high in antioxidant-rich foods won’t stop the aging process, but will support healthier, more graceful aging throughout life.

Reduce stress to limit oxidative injury.

Along with inflammation, stress induced oxidative stress is considered to be a causative factor in disease development and cellular aging. The chemicals cortisone and catecholamines created by mental stress can produce free radicals. As the body ages, the ability to fight the effects of free radicals diminishes, resulting in more cellular damage and leading to degenerative processes associated with age-related health decline. Along with conscious stress reduction, antioxidant supplements can help to combat the negative effects of stress on the body.

Professional Supplement Center carries these and other high quality supplements to support cellular and overall health:

AntiOxidant FormulaAntiOxidant Formula by Pure Encapsulations®: This broad spectrum antioxidant formula provides essential vitamins and minerals, as well as a proprietary carotenoid blend, in support of the body’s natural defense mechanisms. Gluten free, Non-GMO hypoallergenic formulation.

Ultra Anti-OxidantUltra Anti-Oxidant by Douglas Laboratories®: This potent formula provides specific nutrients that effectively participate in the body’s defense systems that work to reduce damage to cells, organs and tissues. Ingredients include antioxidant vitamins, minerals, NAC, glutathione and a broad range of active nutritional free radical fighters. Free of wheat gluten, soy, dairy, sugar, yeast and artificial coloring, flavoring and preservatives.

Ultimate Antiox Full...Ultimate Antiox Full Spectrum by Designs for Health®: This unique formula provides a blend of powerful herbs and spices, as well as specific antioxidant compounds, in support of the function and integrity of body structures, including cell membranes, proteins and enzymes. Gluten free, Non-GMO formulation.

Anti-Oxidant ComplexAnti-Oxidant Complex by Professional Complementary Health Formulas: This specialty complex is formulated to provide a full spectrum of synergistic co-factors and essential nutrients that work to protect cells and tissues from free radical damage. Ingredients include vitamins, minerals, CoQ10, turmeric, glutathione and more. Gluten and soy free, vegetarian formulation.

References:
Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/
Free Radicals: Properties, Sources, Targets, and Their Implication in Various Diseases. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4310837/
Stress, Oxidative Injury and Disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4310835/
Oxidative stress: role of physical exercise and antioxidant nutraceuticals in adulthood and aging. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5908316/

Nutrients for a Healthy Life

NutrientsHealthyLifeJacquie Eubanks RN BSN

Good health requires good nutrition, exercise, a little sunshine and an overall healthy lifestyle. Nutritious healthy food is abundant in our society, yet many continue to eat nutrient poor processed and fast foods. This makes for a very unhealthy diet, lacking in the essential nutrients necessary for optimal wellness and contributes to our over-fed but undernourished society.  Nutrients are involved in all bodily processes, and while all nutrients have specific functions, they work together to support health and wellness. Nutrient deficiencies affect bodily functions and processes at the most basic cellular level, including fluid balance, enzyme functions, nerve signaling, metabolism, digestion, brain function, and growth and development. Long term deficiencies can affect both physical and mental health and contribute to overall unhealthy aging.

As trillions of cells rely on vitamins and minerals to create energy, it’s not surprising that fatigue is one of the first signs of deficiencies. According to the Harvard Health Publications, The Truth About Vitamins and Minerals, most Americans are not eating healthy enough diets to provide optimal levels of a range of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. Children, young women, the elderly, and vegetarians are at the highest risk of several deficiencies. Malnutrition, malabsorption, medications, medical conditions and aging all contribute to nutrient deficiencies. In addition, excessive physical activity, smoking, alcohol and sedentary habits all negatively impact micronutrient demands.

The most common nutrient deficiencies include:

Vitamin D – Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in all age groups, especially in those who chose to avoid any sun exposure or use topical sunscreens, which block vitamin D production. By some estimates, up to half of the general population is either deficient or at risk of deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, bone disease and peripheral artery disease. To optimize your vitamin D levels practice sensible sun exposure, include some vitamin D enriched foods and supplement with vitamin D3.

Vitamin K2 – Vitamin K2 works in conjunction with vitamin D3. Neither one can do a proper job without the other. Working synergistically with magnesium and calcium, vitamin K2 plays an important role in bone and heart health. In addition to being responsible for bone building, vitamin K is necessary for the health of arteries and blood vessels and plays a role in tissue renewal and growth. A deficiency can lead to heart disease and osteoporosis. Animal products such as eggs and some cheeses and fermented foods such as natto are good food sources of vitamin K2. If you are taking anticoagulant medication, consult a healthcare provider before supplementing with vitamin K2.

Calcium – Critical to heart, muscle and nerve function, calcium is essential to every cell. Low calcium intake is common in young women and the elderly, where it can affect bone health and lead to osteoporosis. Calcium intake should be balanced with vitamin D, K2 and magnesium to ensure that calcium is used correctly by the body. Excessive calcium intake is never recommended. Calcium can be found in dairy products, fish and dark green leafy veggies.

Magnesium – Essential for heart, muscle and overall health, magnesium deficiency is linked to a higher risk of both high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Magnesium aids heart muscle function, keeps it running smoothly and maintains a proper balance of other minerals to aid heart health. Studies show less than half the population has sufficient magnesium intake. Low magnesium levels are associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and osteoporosis. Symptoms of deficiency include muscle cramps, restless leg syndrome, fatigue and abnormal heart rhythm. Dietary sources include whole grains, almonds, and leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is necessary for red blood cell formation, neurological function, DNA synthesis, and homocysteine metabolism, as well as energy metabolism. Causes of insufficiency include dietary deficiency, malabsorption due to gastrointestinal disorders and pernicious anemia, a condition in which people lack intrinsic factor, a compound necessary for B12 absorption and utilization. B12 is found naturally in animal products and fortified foods. Older adults, along with vegans, and vegetarians, especially those who may be pregnant or lactating vegetarians, are at risk of deficiencies and should consult with a healthcare provider regarding B12 supplementation.

Antioxidants – Vitamins C and E, selenium and CoQ10 are chemical compounds that address free radicals and oxidative stress. These nutrients support mitochondrial energy production and help to protect vital organs, including the heart, lungs and brain, that are vulnerable to oxidative injury. An unhealthy lifestyle, aging and malabsorption issues are linked to antioxidant deficiency. Be sure your diet includes an array of fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains and healthy protein each day.

Professional Supplement Center offers exclusive, patented micronutrient testing, not only to measure the level of selected vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other essential micronutrients, but also to determine whether nutrients are being absorbed and are properly functioning within the body.

Comprehensive Nutritional Panel by Spectracell LaboratoriesComprehensive Nutritional Panel by Spectracell Laboratories – This micronutrient test kit measures the function of 35 nutritional components including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids and amino acids to give an accurate analysis of deficiencies. This test includes a complimentary post-test consultation with our Registered Nurse to review the results.

D3 5000™ by Metagenics®D3 5000™ by Metagenics® – This product supplies 5000 IU of a highly absorbable form of vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol in a dosage intended to quickly replenish vitamin D status. Gluten free, Non-GMO formulation.

 

Vitamin K2 with D3 by Ortho MolecularVitamin K2 with D3 by Ortho Molecular – This comprehensive and synergistic formula promotes natural bone building processes and provides support for calcium metabolism, healthy bone density, and bone strength. Gluten free.

 

Calcium with Vitamins D and K2 by Dr. MercolaCalcium with Vitamins D and K2 by Dr. Mercola – This product provides highly bioavailable elemental calcium, along with clinically supported vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol in support of balanced bone strength and increased bone density levels.

 

Magnesium (citrate) by Pure EncapsulationsMagnesium Citrate by Pure Encapsulations – Each capsule provides 150 mg of highly bioavailable magnesium chelate in support of healthy bones, cardiovascular health, energy production and nutrient metabolism. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO vegetarian formula.

 

B12-Active™ CHERRY by Integrative TherapeuticsB12-Active™ Cherry by Integrative Therapeutics – These naturally flavored chewable tablets provide B12 as methylcobalamin, a highly bioavailable, readily useable form, in support of fast-acting energy support.

 

BioProtect (Full Spectrum Antioxidant Supplement) by Biotics ResearchBioProtect™ by Biotics Research – This full spectrum antioxidant formula provides antioxidant vitamins, minerals, CoQ10 and amino acids in support of addressing oxidative stress, free radical protection, and prevention of muscle soreness after exercise. Gluten free.

 

References:
CDC’s Second Nutrition Report. http://www.cdc.gov/nutritionreport/pdf/4page_%202nd%20nutrition%20report_508_032912.pdf
7 Nutrient Deficiencies That Are Incredibly Common. https://authoritynutrition.com/7-common-nutrient-deficiencies/
Micronutrients: Common Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency States. http://www.nutritionmd.org/consumers/general_nutrition/micronutrients_deficiency.html
Vitamin B12. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
The Truth About Vitamins and Minerals. Harvard Health Publications, Boston, MA. 2012
3 Top Nutritional Deficiencies as Fatigue Causes. http://universityhealthnews.com/daily/energy/3-top-nutritional-deficiencies-as-fatigue-causes/