Premature aging is something many people think about as the years pass. If you’re like most people, you will do anything to slow down the effects of aging. Keep reading to discover the power of antioxidants and how they can help do just that.
Antioxidants are nature-made molecules that can help prevent premature aging, help keep your immune system strong, and help fight off illnesses. Before we get to the power of antioxidants, let’s consider why you need them.
Oxidative stress damage is inflicted upon you by many environmental causes, creating free radicals. This blog explores what free radicals are, what causes them, and how antioxidants can help you fight back.
Although there isn’t a fountain of youth, knowing what to look for to keep your body feeling its absolute best as you age is the key to vitality, happiness, and a healthy life.
What Are Free Radicals?
Free radicals are molecules that lack an electron. Free radicals molecules inside your body have unpaired electrons and are highly unstable, reactive, and can be dangerous when not in balance. Floating around in your body, free radicals easily react with other molecules, looking to gain an electron to balance themselves out.
Environmental pollutants such as toxins in air pollution, cigarette smoke, and ultraviolet (UV) sun radiation produce free radicals. Unhealthy lifestyle habits like consuming ultra-processed foods also create free radicals, along with eating too much sugar, excessive alcohol consumption, and high-stress levels. The body’s natural defenses also weaken as we age, leading to increased free radicals.
When these unstable free radical molecules interact with your body’s cells, they cause oxidative damage, leading to inflammation. Too many free radicals in the body can lead to oxidative stress, is linked to premature skin aging, and can create several health issues, including damaging cells, tissues, and organs.
The good news is that you can counteract these harmful agents by consuming antioxidants daily.
Antioxidants to the Rescue!
Antioxidants act like warriors for your cells, neutralizing free radicals, so they don’t have time to create further damage within your body.
Antioxidants are incredibly important for overall health and wellness. Antioxidants reduce inflammation, neutralize toxins, support cellular function, and protect vulnerable DNA strands from free radicals.
Free radicals seem inescapable with aging, air pollution, smoke, and UV radiation in the mix. By limiting exposure to oxidative stressors and consuming a healthy diet rich in Antioxidants, you can make great strides toward keeping your body feeling and looking young and vibrant.
Some evidence suggests that getting a daily dose of antioxidants through diet or supplements may help reduce the risk of certain health problems. For example, some research has shown that people who eat mainly fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of some diseases. (1) Because antioxidants help reduce inflammation, they may also help improve overall brain health. (2)
By protecting yourself from this onslaught of free radicals, you’ll feel better overall and help ensure a healthier life down the road.
How to Get Antioxidants
You can find antioxidants in many forms, from fresh vegetables and fruits to herbs, nuts, seeds, green tea, and dark chocolate. Eating a healthy diet rich in these foods is one way to ensure your body is receiving the abundance of antioxidants it needs. Additionally, you can also find antioxidants in concentrated supplements.
One of the most powerful sources of antioxidants is Curcumin which can only be found in Turmeric – a spice commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking. Turmeric is known for its bright yellow color and pungent, slightly bitter taste. There are numerous health benefits associated with Turmeric Curcumin, so it is becoming increasingly popular as a supplement.
Curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammation, which may help reduce the risk of several chronic conditions. (3-4) Turmeric has anti-aging properties by protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.
In addition to its antioxidant properties, Turmeric Curcumin is often used as a natural pain reliever. (5) It may be particularly helpful for people who suffer from joint pain, as it has been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling in your joints. (5) Turmeric is also believed to have several other health benefits, including boosting the immune system.
The Turmeric spice you’d buy at the grocery store for cooking contains around 3% Curcumin, compared to up to 95% Curcumin in concentrated extracts found in supplements. When looking for a turmeric supplement, make sure it has high levels of Curcumin, like Stonehenge Health’s Dynamic Turmeric™, a powerful blend of 1,650 milligrams of organic Turmeric with 95% Curcumin Complex.
With Dynamic Turmeric™, you’ll find one of the highest levels of Curcumin in each daily dose. BioPerine® is included to improve bioavailability, ensuring your body absorbs the maximum benefits possible.
Taking an antioxidant supplement is a good idea if you’re looking for extra protection against free radical damage. Dynamic Turmeric™ is a clear choice.
Sources:
1. Kim K, Vance TM, Chen MH, Chun OK. Dietary total antioxidant capacity is inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease death of US adults. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Oct;57(7):2469-2476. doi: 10.1007/s00394-017-1519-7. Epub 2017 Aug 8. PMID: 28791462. | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28791462/
2. Ali SS, Ahsan H, Zia MK, Siddiqui T, Khan FH. Understanding oxidants and antioxidants: Classical team with new players. J Food Biochem. 2020 Mar;44(3):e13145. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.13145. Epub 2020 Jan 20. PMID: 31960481. | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31960481/
3. Pivari F, Mingione A, Brasacchio C, Soldati L. Curcumin and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Prevention and Treatment. Nutrients. 2019 Aug 8;11(8):1837. doi: 10.3390/nu11081837. PMID: 31398884; PMCID: PMC6723242. | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31398884/
4. Curcumin, the golden nutraceutical: multitargeting for multiple chronic diseases | http://accurateclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Curcumin-the-golden-nutraceutical-multitargeting-for-multiple-chronic-diseases-2017.pdf
5. Safety and efficacy of Curcumin versus diclofenac in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized open-label parallel-arm study | Trials | trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-019-3327-2
