antioxidants phytochemicals

When free radicals build up in a person's blood, they can create oxidative stress Oxidative stress may increase the risk of developing cancer , heart disease , and many other chronic illnesses and health problems. While I can't tell you that taking 400 IU international units of vitamin X will reduce your risk of disease Y, we do know that antioxidants play critical roles in reducing inflammation, and I am convinced they would have some benefit in fighting disease. Despite the uncertainty, several recent studies have led people to question the effectiveness of antioxidants in treating disease and perhaps even raised concern about the safety of taking supplements.

Food is the best source of antioxidants, says Joanne Larsen, MS, RD, LD, of Fruits and vegetables can help reduce the oxidative stress through the antioxidant effect of phytochemicals such as flavonoids. Oranges, along with mangos, peaches, and watermelon, are rich in beta-cryptoxanthin, an antioxidant and one of a pair of compounds that lowered the risk of arthritis by an impressive 20 to 40 percent in a UK study of 25,000 people. Most research indicates that there are overall health benefits from antioxidant-rich foods consumed in the diet.

While the body has its defenses against oxidative stress, these defenses are thought to become less effective with aging as oxidative stress becomes greater.1 Research suggests there is involvement of the resulting free radicals in a number of degenerative diseases associated with aging, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, immune dysfunction, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Certain conditions, such as chronic diseases and aging, can tip the balance in favor of free radical formation, which can contribute to ill effects on health.

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