Antioxidants

In my college days I commuted an hour to and from school, my mode of transportation being a bright red Ford Escort I affectionately named Romeo. Romeo was charming, right down to the big red lips stickered to the back windshield. He only had one problem: in his old age of 8 years, his was losing his shine. No matter how many times I washed the car, his coat just became duller.

Then came the day that I discovered the power of a good dose of Turtlewax. I wiped and rubbed and wore out my arms, but in an hour Romeo was glistening again. With all the oxidation rubbed off the paint, he was magnificent!

There is a lot of talk lately about oxidants and antioxidants, and I’m not talking about cars. Oxidation happens naturally in our bodies, which produces free radicals. Through foods such as fruits and vegetables, our bodies obtain antioxidants, which counteract the free radicals. When antioxidants are at a low level, the reaction that occurs during oxidation can produce oxidative stress, which eventually can damage or kill cells.

Antioxidants remove the free radicals, and there has been speculation that antioxidants can help cure various human diseases, including heart disease and cancer. While studies have shown that consuming food containing antioxidants improve these diseases, simply taking antioxidant supplements provided little help.

The bottom line, I think, is that we need to eat lots of fruits and vegetables! Many of these foods contain that important molecule to fight the free radicals. I certainly want to keep my body glistening with health, and it appears that I have some control in the matter.