Antioxidants. What are they and why do we need them?: Eating For Your Immune System

Antioxidants. Most of us are familiar with the term but may wonder what oxidants are and why we don’t want them. In his book Prime-Time Health, Dr. William Sears compares the process of oxidation to the rust that accumulates on a piece of machinery. Oxidants, or free radicals, attack the cells and tissues in the body and the body produces antioxidants to combat them. But what are oxidants? Where do they come from?

Oxidants are produced during normal cellular metabolism in the body. As atoms are utilized for normal bodily functions, paired electrons can be separated, and the incomplete atom becomes a free radical. These free radicals, which can also be caused by toxins, pesticides, pollution and smoking, begin damaging healthy cells and tissues and harming the immune system. This is where antioxidants come in. These helpful compounds give one of their extra electrons to the free radicals, neutralizing the oxidants and the havoc they wreak. While some antioxidants can counter specific scenarios, others help in general health of the immune system.

There are many foods that provide antioxidants, but the super-stars are vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables. Often the pigment of the food points to the antioxidants it contains, and these phytonutrients (plant nutrients) are critical to good health. Blueberries of are the favorite child of the blue/purple family, because they are loaded with the flavonoid anthocyanin, which is believed to help protect against heart disease and cancers. Other sources of anthocyanin are blackberries, red grapes, and beets. Lycopene is another defender against heart disease and cancer and is found in red fruits like tomatoes, watermelon, and guava. Green plants are a clear source of general health building chlorophyll: spirulina, alfalfa, broccoli and asparagus are a few. Beta-carotene is another powerful antioxidant that is utilized by the body to make Vitamin A, which in turn helps to boost the immune system, and improve vision, mucus membrane, and skin health. Carrots, red and yellow peppers, cantaloupe, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and apricots are all examples of beta-carotene sources.

Antioxidants are the Care-Bears of the nutrition world. In a splendid array of colors and personalities, they come to make our body a happier and healthier place. So, eat your fruits and veggies!