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Lecture 34 : Natural Sources of Antioxidants for Health Defense

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In addition, there is good evidence that bilirubin and uric acid can act as antioxidant support to help neutralize certain free radicals. Antioxidant support can be found in almost everything that we eat. More particularly, fresh fruits and vegetables are the richest sources of antioxidant support available. All these are complex compounds found in almost every plant. Carotenoids are the largest group of naturally occurring antioxidants, followed closely by indoles and coumarins. Catechins are the natural antioxidants found in the Camellia sinensis plant where we get our green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. Due to the lack of sufficient data to support the success of antioxidant vitamins supplement against cardiovascular diseases and other such degenerative illnesses, the American Heart Association does not recommend using antioxidant vitamins supplements. However, they do not want to put a stop to our continued taking of antioxidant vitamins, the ones found in nature and in the foods that we eat. In the study about antioxidant juice from pomegranates, researchers have found that the substance can effectively reverse the progression of atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis causes decreased blood flow that can lead to heart attacks or strokes. The tests showed that antioxidant juice from pomegranates reduced the effects of stress on human blood vessel cells by stimulating the production of nitric oxide. Antioxidants protect the body from harmful, excess free radicals, sweeping them up before they can cause damage. These days, when we talk about antioxidants, the first thing that comes to people's minds is "supplements." However, studies on antioxidant supplements are for the most part inconclusive and so far, no one study has come up with the same results during antioxidant supplements tests. The process is called oxidation and the substance produced is called "free radicals." Because of their highly unstable nature, free radicals increase damage to cells of the body, thus contributing to the aging process. In order to neutralize these free radicals, your body uses certain vitamins, minerals, and enzymes - collectively known as antioxidant antiaging. 

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