VitaBlog The Vitacost Blog: Views and News on Vitamins, Supplements and Herbs

Why are Antioxidants Important?

So you may be wondering, what are antioxidants? They are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals. Fighting off damage with antioxidants helps keep your immune system strong, making you better able to ward off colds and other infections.

But some foods are higher in antioxidants than others. The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You’ll find them in colorful fruits and veggies; especially those that are purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow.  To get the largest benefits of antioxidants, eat these foods raw or lightly steamed; don’t overcook or boil.

• Beta-carotene and other carotenoids: Apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, green peppers, kale, mangoes, turnip and collard greens, nectarines, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, squash, spinach, sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon.

• Vitamin C: Berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, kale, kiwi, mangoes, nectarines, orange, papaya, red, green or yellow peppers, snow peas, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes.

• Vitamin E: Broccoli, carrots, chard, mustard and turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, and sunflower seeds.

Other foods that are rich in antioxidants include prunes, apples, raisins, berries, plums, alfalfa sprouts, eggplants, onions and beans. But vitamins aren’t the only antioxidants in food. Other antioxidants that may help boost immunity include

• Zinc: Found in oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, seafood, whole grains, fortified cereals, and dairy products

• Selenium: Found in Brazil nuts, tuna, beef, poultry and fortified breads, and other grain products.

Make sure to include these foods rich in antioxidants in your daily diet… they will keep you feeling great and full of energy this cold season!

Pass the Pomegranate!

Pomegranates are exotic fruits that are red in color and look like a cross between an apple and an orange. They are filled with delicious red seeds called arils which can be consumed raw or made into juice. In the Jewish faith, the pomegranate is the symbol for forgiveness, and pomegranates are even mentioned in Greek literature, specifically the myth of Persephone.

What’s so special about the pomegranate? One serving of pomegranate juice supplies about 16% of the daily vitamin C requirement for adults. It is also a great source of vitamin B5, iron and potassium. The nutrients found in pomegranates have been found to help protect cellular, immune and joint health. They also encourage healthy circulation, as well as favorable blood pressure and cholesterol levels already within normal range.

Pomegranates also contain high levels of antioxidants. The antioxidant compounds found in pomegranates include polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins. These antioxidants guard against the effects of free radicals, help improve circulation, strengthen the immune system and support normal inflammatory response. So try something exotic; replace your daily glass of orange juice with a glass of pomegranate juice!

Fight Aging… Naturally!

Like it or not, it is inevitable that we all age. Normal processes of oxidation cause the creation of free radicals that attack and deteriorate cells in the body, resulting in the body aging. Antioxidants are the vitamins, enzymes and minerals found in natural foods that destroy these harmful free radicals, therefore slowing down and treating the aging process.

Research now confirms a balanced diet rich in whole grain cereals, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables provides essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients. It also promotes cardiovascular health, supports normal memory function and helps the body maintain a normal inflammatory response.

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), known as the universal antioxidant, is present in almost all tissues of the body. It plays an important role in generating energy from food and oxygen in mitochondria (the power plants of cells). Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) is similar in form to the amino acid L-carnitine. ALC assists in the transport of fat through the cell membrane and into the mitochondria of the cell, where fats are oxidized to produce the cellular energy ATP. ALC also promotes a healthy nervous system and supports memory. Taking a daily supplement that contains these valuable antioxidants may help support overall health and slow down the aging process….sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

The Maqui Berry: The New Acai Berry?

By now, most of us have heard of the acai berry and its extraordinary antioxidant properties. Well, there is a new berry in town! Actually, the maqui berry is not “new,” it has been found in the fertile Patagonia region (in Argentina and Chile) for thousands of years. But the dark-purple maqui berry is reported to have an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) 4-10 times higher than that of the acai berry.

Both acai and maqui berries include phytochemicals, chemicals produced by the plant to protect itself from infection. These phytochemicals are rich in antioxidants that promote cardiovascular health and immune system functioning. Antioxidants also help protect your body against free radicals (unstable molecules) that are created during normal cell function.

Maqui Superberry Juice has the highest ORAC value, anthocyanins and polyphenols compared to any known berries.   Novelle, the Maqui Superberry™ producer, uses only the highest quality natural ingredients, harvested by the Mapuche Indians.  So move over acai …the maqui berry is the clear winner!

Real Men (and Women) Take Antioxidants

Over the past ten years or so, the word “antioxidant” has become a buzz word in the health community. But is it really necessary for men (and women) to take a daily supplement which contains antioxidants? Let’s explore this issue further…

An antioxidant is any chemical, naturally or synthetically made, that has the ability to neutralize oxidants (toxins or free radicals) in the body. Antioxidants help to protect our cells from damage and illness, and are found naturally in fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs and teas. Foods that contain the highest concentration of antioxidants (per serving size) include blackberries, walnuts, strawberries, artichokes, cranberries, brewed coffee, raspberries, pecans, blueberries, ground cloves, grape juice, and unsweetened baking chocolate.

Taking a daily supplement which includes antioxidants can be compared to purchasing health insurance. You may not notice any immediate benefits, but in the long run, your body will thank you for it! Antioxidants (such as vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene and flavonoids) help to protect your brain cells, proteins, and DNA from the gradual damage that occurs with the aging process.  So when choosing a daily supplement, choose one with a healthy dose of antioxidants!

Spirulina Benefits Include Immunity

Spirulina, which is blue-green algae high in protein, vitamins and minerals, may be an immune booster of sorts, as a number of animal studies point to spirulina's ability to stimulate both antibody and cellular types of immunity. Spirulina guards digestive health and is shown to encourage the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria needed to balance the GI tract.

Personally, I enjoy spirulina for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The algae's high levels of evercetin and phycocyanin have been shown to alleviate respiratory ailments and aid inflammation associated with joint pain and backache. In addition, high levels of carotenoids in spirulina guard cell health and protect vision.

Many vegans and vegetarians have made spirulina their primary source of protein. The blue-green superfood contains both essential and nonessential amino acids and is similar in structure to animal protein, so it's great for lean muscle building and maintaining healthy weight.

Quercetin: Powerful Antioxidant

Bioflavonoids such as quercetin have been implicated in promoting a number of health benefits associated with antioxidants. This plant compound, which naturally occurs in green tea, onionskins, kale, red cabbage, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, strawberries, cherries and grapes, is an excellent detoxifier for the liver and may help reduce the inflammation associated with hay fever, allergies, bursitis, gout, arthritis and asthma.

Quercetin in high concentrations, common to quality quercetin supplements, may boost immune function and increase the longevity and health of vital organs. Similar to other plant-based antioxidant constituents, quercetin shows potential in balancing cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and inhibiting the buildup of plaque on arterial walls, resulting in cardiovascular well-being.

A daily quercetin supplement delivers far higher levels of this bioflavonoid compound than most of us could hope to obtain in our daily diets. It's one reason why antioxidant supplements are so popular among the new generation of nutrition enthusiasts. Quercetin supplements come in a variety of grades and often include the benefits of other nutrients as well. They're priced relatively low and are a nice complement to a balanced diet and exercise regimen.

Antioxidant Mangosteen has High ORAC Rating

Mangosteen is touted as a powerful antioxidant to aid in the battle against damaging free radicals. The hull, pulp and seeds of this sweet, South African fruit have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicine to treat everything from a bad memory to bad skin. Modern day claims regarding the benefits of mangosteen include the fruit's ability to balance blood sugar, slow degenerative brain disorders and aid migraines and inflammation.

ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, a measure used by nutritionists to rate the antioxidant power of a nutrient and its ability to reduce oxidative stress on cells. But claims of mangosteen's high ORAC may be more accurately attributed to compounds such as grape seed extract, pomegranate, blueberry, goji and noni - substances often paired with mangosteen in free-radical-fighting juices and dietary supplements. Why? Because the xanthones in mangosteen - phytocemicals responsible for the fruit's antioxidant power - primarily occur in the fruit's edible rind, negligible amounts of which are found in the majority of mangosteen products.

The good news? High-grade mangosteen supplements usually contain essential vitamins, minerals and other high ORAC components, which together may defend against common illness and infection.

NSI Poma Noni Paradise Punch - Nutritious and Delicious

Pomegranate, noni and goji fruits are antioxidant rock stars! It may not be easy though to find these exotic fruits in your neighborhood grocery store. No worries - NSI® Poma Noni Punch is a proprietary poma noni fruit blend that contains beneficial amounts of each, as well as the antioxidant protection derived from 11 other fruits and fruit extracts including wild blueberry extract, grape and grape seed extract, raspberry and raspberry seed extract, cranberry, prune, tart cherry, wild bilberry and strawberry.

The fruits and fruit extracts found in NSI® Poma Noni Punch are collectively rich vitamins A, B, C and E. They're also loaded with flavonoids, tannins, alpha- and beta-carotenes, lutein, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, silicon and zinc. That's a lot of healthy stuff packed into one great tasting punch! It's also important to note what NSI® Poma Noni Punch does not have. It doesn't contain any artificial flavors or colors.

So if you're looking for a delicious, natural and convenient way to help get the antioxidant protection you need (along with a nutrient or two) try NSI® Poma Noni Punch. Antioxidants never tasted so good!

Selenium Offers Superior Antioxidant Protection, Immune Support

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that's best known for its role as an antioxidant, working to neutralize damage-causing free radicals in the body. It's also needed for proper immune function and the production of prostaglandins, which play a part in regulating blood pressure levels and inflammation.

Several studies show that selenium may also offer hope for cancer risk reduction. One, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that individuals taking 200 mcg of selenomethionine had a 63 percent reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer, compared to a placebo group not receiving this special form of selenium.

Selenium has been shown to have positive effects on a variety of health concerns, from arthritis to diabetes to depression. The RDA is about 50 mcg per day, but selenium may be taken safely in doses up to 400 mcg for therapeutic effects. Check with your health care provider before increasing your daily selenium intake.