The metabolism of oxygen, while necessary for life, also results in the production and accumulation of free radicals and other toxins in the body. Free radicals are molecules that have a missing electron. They are hungry to be complete, and grab an electron from a nearby cell, which then does the same to its neighbor. What was once our very own friendly cell has now become the type of cell that causes both damage and disease.

During periods of low stress and with a healthy diet, the body can usually remove these damaged cells fast enough to prevent their accumulation in the bloodstream. However, continuous elevated levels of free radicals in the bloodstream can damage other cells throughout the body, which may ultimately lead to the development of chronic disease and premature aging. The body’s main defense against these cellular invaders are antioxidants, essentially thereby using alternative health or alternative medicine to disarm free radicals.

Antioxidants are substances that protect the body from damage caused by oxidative stress, particularly its cells, proteins, RNA and DNA. Antioxidants also recognize cells and tissues in the body that have already suffered oxidative damage and help to repair or remove these damaged areas. Antioxidants, which are found in diets abundant in natural whole food vitamins such as fruits and vegetables, have been shown to increase antioxidant levels in the bloodstream.

This ultimately reduces oxidative stress in the body and lowers the risk of premature aging and chronic disease such as cardiovascular, cancer and diabetes.

With advanced age, periods of high stress, and a Western diet deficient in natural plant Nutrients; called phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables, the antioxidant levels in the bloodstream and tissues are decreased. Low antioxidant levels result in greater numbers of free radicals and greater damage to critical cell components. If this state is maintained for a long period, premature cell death and chronic disease are the result. The best way to counter the effects of chronic free radical damage is to consume a diet rich in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are found in plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, legumes, nuts and tea. When consumed regularly, phytonutrients exert dramatic positive effects in the body and the most important of these is strong antioxidant activity.

According to the USDA database, the following common foods have high antioxidant scores (1):

Spices
Ground cloves 314,446
Ground cinnamon 267,536 .
Dried oregano 200,129
Ground turmeric 159,277

Fruits
Freeze-dried Acai berry 161,400
Maqui berry juice 40,000
Goji berries 25,300
Raw chokeberry 16,062

Vegetables
Cabbage 3,145
Raw broccoli 3,083
Raw lettuce 2,380
Raw asparagus 2,150

Other Foods
Unsweetened cocoa 80,933
Pecans 17,940
English walnuts 13,541
Red kidney beans 8,459
Aloe Vera Juice 11,485

Note: to ensure optimal health, get tested for food intolerances.

Dr. Linda Kennedy MS SLP ND

Food Friends Verses Radicals and Rascals Bibliography

United States Department of Agriculture. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods. http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=15866, 2007.