Q: I am aware of the importance of antioxidants for my health. I prefer to obtain as many antioxidants as possible from food sources, rather than through supplementation. What is the easiest way to select the best foods?
A: Nearly every biological function is dependent on oxygen. It provides electrons that run the body’s machinery. A free radical is formed when an oxygen molecule releases its electron. Free radicals are irritable, and they immediately try to replace the electron that is missing. This is done by stealing electrons from local DNA, protein or fat molecules. This oxidative stress or damage caused by free radicals can lead to many illnesses including cancer, heart disease, arthritis and Alzheimer’s. All of these are related to antioxidant levels.
What’s the buzz about antioxidants?
Oxidative stress can be caused by:
- Damage to tissue caused by inflammation and injury
- Diet: Consumption of refined and processed food, trans fats (trans fatty acids), artificial sweeteners and dyes, as well as certain additives.
- Environmental pollution and toxins
- Smoking
- Radiation
What are the benefits of antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules which donate electrons to radicals. They can protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals, also known as oxidative stresses. One study found that they are a radical scavenger as well as an electron donor, hydrogen donor and peroxide decomposer. They also act to quench singlet oxygen, inhibit enzymes, and synergist.
Antioxidants can be found in both natural and artificial sources. Some plant-based food is thought to be high in antioxidants. Plant-based antioxidants can be classified as phytonutrients, or plant-based nutrients. Some are produced by the body, called endogenous anti-oxidants. Exogenous antioxidants are those that come from the outside of the body.
Supplements vs. Food Sources
It is generally accepted that obtaining antioxidants from a healthy diet, rather than through supplements, is safer and healthier. It is important to include a variety of foods in your diet. All foods contain antioxidants, but in different amounts. Many studies on supplements suggest that they don’t provide significant health benefits. This is due to several factors:
- Combining other substances in foods can have a positive effect on health.
- Large doses of antioxidants in supplements can be harmful to health.
- It is possible that the chemical composition and dosages of antioxidants found in food are different from those in supplements. This may affect both their effectiveness and outcome.
Diet
The antioxidant levels in fruits and vegetables are optimal. These include vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Other powerful antioxidants found in this food include:
- Grapes, cherries and broccoli contain flavonoids, whose antioxidant properties are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
- Researchers have found that polyphenols in berries, along with sulfides in garlic, onions, and chives are also valuable free radical scavengers.
- Anthocyanins are responsible for the red, purple and blue color of cherries, grapes and berries. They are also some of nature’s most powerful antioxidants.
Spices and herbs contain a variety of phytochemicals. Many of these have potent antioxidant properties. Basil, cinnamon, ginger and cloves are the top ten antioxidants.
Coffee and Tea –While coffee and tea both contain antioxidants, coffee has more. All three teas are rich in antioxidants. However, black tea, green tea and oolong contain 10 times more polyphenols than fruits and vegetables.
Nuts And Seeds – Walnuts contain significant amounts of antioxidants. Pecans chestnuts peanuts sunflower seeds and sunflower seeds are also rich sources. Hazelnuts are a great source, as well as almonds and Brazil nuts. Cashews, flaxseeds, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and macadamias.
Whole GrainsCorn contains high antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant activity is found in corn, followed by oats and wheat, while rice has the lowest.
Research has shown that antioxidants in supplements are not beneficial for preventing disease. Good food is more important than supplements.
Edited by Maria Pietromonaco
Sources
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth
Nutr J. Nutr J. 2010 Jan 22;9:3. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-9-3. PMID: 20096093; PMCID: PMC2841576.
Alternative Medicine Magazine published the first article on sources of antioxidants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses alternative medicine and why?
Alternative medicine is often used for many reasons.
- They would prefer to avoid any surgery or harmful drugs.
- They believe natural remedies are more effective.
- They prefer non-invasive therapies.
- They want to spend less.
- They feel safer using natural products.
- They want greater control over their own healthcare decisions.
- They are ready to take charge of their health.
- They want a healthier world.
- They desire less stress in the lives of others.
- They want greater freedom when choosing their doctors, and in selecting their healthcare plans.
- They want their children to have a better education.
- They want healthy food for themselves and their family.
- They want safe, effective medications.
How safe can holistic medicine be?
Holistic remedies are safe, as they are not dangerous drugs, but natural remedies for people who have used them for centuries.
They have been shown to cure many illnesses, such as arthritis, chronic pain, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, infertility, etc.
Millions of people worldwide suffer from various diseases and can also use holistic medicines. They include homeopathy. Chiropractic care, herbal therapies, massage therapy. yoga. meditation. Biofeedback. These therapies address the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Why do people with advanced cancers use alternative methods of treatment?
When trying to deal with their cancer, patients with the disease are often confronted with many obstacles. They might have lost all hope for recovery or feel helpless because there is nothing else they can do. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.
In addition, conventional treatments are often not effective against cancer cells. Therefore, cancer patients seek other therapies, such as complementary medicine. Nearly half of cancer patients use alternative medicines at some point during treatment, according to studies.
Complementary medicine is often chosen by cancer patients over chemotherapy. It’s easier to manage side effect. Also, they may prefer it because it costs less.
There are also other reasons.
Natural remedies may be able to prevent a recurrence, according to some patients.
Many people believe that natural remedies could improve the quality and quantity of their lives.
Some believe natural remedies can lower the chance of developing cancer again.
People who are worried about side effects of chemotherapy should consider natural remedies for first-line treatment.
Which types of treatment are not considered part of holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not the symptoms. It helps people to recover from illness by promoting health and preventing disease.
Holistic medicine relies on natural remedies such homeopathy, herbs, and acupuncture to replace drugs and surgery.
Holistic medicine includes lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, massage, and bodywork techniques.
Holistic medicine is sometimes called integrative medicine. This refers to the way that holistic medicine integrates all aspects (physical, mental and spiritual) into one comprehensive care plan.
Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention, early detection and healthy living.
Holistic doctors believe that there is no single cause for any given condition. Holistic doctors look at the whole picture, which includes genetic factors, environmental influences and lifestyle choices.
Holistic practitioners pay more attention to the mind, the emotions, and the spirit than to the body.
Holistic physicians collaborate closely with their patients in order to determine the best fit for each individual.
Statistics
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- A sociological perspective on the rise and fall of complementary and alternate medicine – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic Medicine – PubMed
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches
- How do you name complementary, alternative, or integrative health?
liebertpub.com
How To
How to deal with my girlfriend who believes in alternative medicine?
There are many resources available online for anyone who is dealing with a loved person suffering from a mental illness. But there is little information out there to help when it comes to dealing with someone who believes in alternative medicine.
It seems like there is a big divide between the two. Both those who have doubts about traditional medicine and those who see the benefits.
What happens when you come across someone who believes in alternative treatments for mental health issues?
Because you don’t know the right way to respond, you might feel confused or frustrated. You might feel confused and frustrated if your partner tells you that he’d rather see an acupuncturist than his physician. Or when she suggests she would rather eat glutenfree than take antidepressants.
It is important that you ask questions. Asking them early on could save a lot of heartaches later on.
However, how can you ask such difficult questions without offending him What if he tells you that he doesn’t trust doctors? Do you tell him that he shouldn’t trust anyone?
Or, what if she tells you that she believes antidepressants don’t work? Should you tell her that she’s wrong?
This is where the conversation becomes tricky. She may be even more offended if it is pointed out that she is wrong.
Alternativly, you might suggest that she sees an psychiatrist. This could cause more problems than it solves. She might get angry at you for suggesting this. Perhaps she thinks you are trying her to control the rest of her life.
So what are you supposed to do?
–
——————————————————————————————————————————————
This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
By: Andrew Ellis
Title: Sources of Antioxidants
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/nutrition/sources-of-antioxidants/
Published Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2023 04:41:37 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses alternative medicine and why?
Alternative medicine is often used for many reasons.
- They would prefer to avoid any surgery or harmful drugs.
- They believe natural remedies are more effective.
- They prefer non-invasive therapies.
- They want to spend less.
- They feel safer using natural products.
- They want greater control over their own healthcare decisions.
- They are ready to take charge of their health.
- They want a healthier world.
- They desire less stress in the lives of others.
- They want greater freedom when choosing their doctors, and in selecting their healthcare plans.
- They want their children to have a better education.
- They want healthy food for themselves and their family.
- They want safe, effective medications.
How safe can holistic medicine be?
Holistic remedies are safe, as they are not dangerous drugs, but natural remedies for people who have used them for centuries.
They have been shown to cure many illnesses, such as arthritis, chronic pain, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, infertility, etc.
Millions of people worldwide suffer from various diseases and can also use holistic medicines. They include homeopathy. Chiropractic care, herbal therapies, massage therapy. yoga. meditation. Biofeedback. These therapies address the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Why do people with advanced cancers use alternative methods of treatment?
When trying to deal with their cancer, patients with the disease are often confronted with many obstacles. They might have lost all hope for recovery or feel helpless because there is nothing else they can do. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.
In addition, conventional treatments are often not effective against cancer cells. Therefore, cancer patients seek other therapies, such as complementary medicine. Nearly half of cancer patients use alternative medicines at some point during treatment, according to studies.
Complementary medicine is often chosen by cancer patients over chemotherapy. It’s easier to manage side effect. Also, they may prefer it because it costs less.
There are also other reasons.
Natural remedies may be able to prevent a recurrence, according to some patients.
Many people believe that natural remedies could improve the quality and quantity of their lives.
Some believe natural remedies can lower the chance of developing cancer again.
People who are worried about side effects of chemotherapy should consider natural remedies for first-line treatment.
Which types of treatment are not considered part of holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not the symptoms. It helps people to recover from illness by promoting health and preventing disease.
Holistic medicine relies on natural remedies such homeopathy, herbs, and acupuncture to replace drugs and surgery.
Holistic medicine includes lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, massage, and bodywork techniques.
Holistic medicine is sometimes called integrative medicine. This refers to the way that holistic medicine integrates all aspects (physical, mental and spiritual) into one comprehensive care plan.
Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention, early detection and healthy living.
Holistic doctors believe that there is no single cause for any given condition. Holistic doctors look at the whole picture, which includes genetic factors, environmental influences and lifestyle choices.
Holistic practitioners pay more attention to the mind, the emotions, and the spirit than to the body.
Holistic physicians collaborate closely with their patients in order to determine the best fit for each individual.
Statistics
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- A sociological perspective on the rise and fall of complementary and alternate medicine – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic Medicine – PubMed
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches
- How do you name complementary, alternative, or integrative health?
liebertpub.com
How To
How to deal with my girlfriend who believes in alternative medicine?
There are many resources available online for anyone who is dealing with a loved person suffering from a mental illness. But there is little information out there to help when it comes to dealing with someone who believes in alternative medicine.
It seems like there is a big divide between the two. Both those who have doubts about traditional medicine and those who see the benefits.
What happens when you come across someone who believes in alternative treatments for mental health issues?
Because you don’t know the right way to respond, you might feel confused or frustrated. You might feel confused and frustrated if your partner tells you that he’d rather see an acupuncturist than his physician. Or when she suggests she would rather eat glutenfree than take antidepressants.
It is important that you ask questions. Asking them early on could save a lot of heartaches later on.
However, how can you ask such difficult questions without offending him What if he tells you that he doesn’t trust doctors? Do you tell him that he shouldn’t trust anyone?
Or, what if she tells you that she believes antidepressants don’t work? Should you tell her that she’s wrong?
This is where the conversation becomes tricky. She may be even more offended if it is pointed out that she is wrong.
Alternativly, you might suggest that she sees an psychiatrist. This could cause more problems than it solves. She might get angry at you for suggesting this. Perhaps she thinks you are trying her to control the rest of her life.
So what are you supposed to do?
Leave a Reply