My Lil Venture |Beauty|Fashion & Style|Health|Shopping|Women Talk

Just a little background on the beauty buzzword, antioxidants. Antioxidants are basically products which rid the body of free radicals by combining with these to deactivate them. Free radicals? These are the by products of metabolism and are produced by the body continuously in various amounts, depending upon the metabolism, age and diet of the person concerned. These active metabolized agents are very reactive and react with various body structures, causing them to degrade and age. Therefore, antioxidants are, to put it simply, cleaning agents that rid your body of harmful radicals. What you really need to know is that these antioxidants are very important from the point of view of both health as well as beauty, as they have many benefits. The various antioxidants are the Vitamins E, C etc, Selenium and Beta Carotene. There are others, of course.

Selenium enhances the body’s natural immunity, protects against cancer and helps maintain healthy nails and hair. Vitamin E also reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease, and also delays the effects of ageing on the skin. Vitamin C is very important in the maintenance of healthy connective tissue and also aids in wound healing, which translates to less cellulite and prevention of bruising. It is also essential for healthy gums and reduced risk of cataracts. Beta Carotene promotes bone growth and development, aids in various metabolic processes of the body and keeps the eyes and skin healthy.

Most antioxidants therefore help delay and fight the visible effects of ageing, along with protecting the body from diseases like cancer and degenerative diseases of various organs and organ systems.

Antioxidants are already present in all the foods that the doctors and dietitians of the world recommend: fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy. Though antioxidants are present in full fat dairy, but the risk versus benefit assessment makes low fat dairy a healthier way of obtaining your antioxidants daily. Supplementation is therefore not necessary and can even be contra indicated in certain cases. Eating healthfully and concentrating on whole, natural, ‘real’ foods should in any case be the aim for all of us in order to lead healthy, happy and wholesome lives.