You can help yourself and stop growing older if you understand what free radicals are all about and make sure you are consuming antioxidants to extinguish them either through supplements or food.

The theory behind a free radical is that we begin to "self destruct" as we age. Cells in our body are in a continuous cycle of birth (replication) and death as we age. This replication is naturally controlled ensuring there are no mistakes or mutations prior to cell division. If mutations are detected, the cell is instructed to die or not to reproduce, thus protecting you from cancer and disease.

Cells can ignore those signals, and the DNA can be damaged, but the body never loses the ability to repair itself.

The main agents that damage your cells are oxygen free radicals.  They are agressive chemical compounds created as a byproduct of your natural metabolism. 

These agents are accumulated over a lifetime and this progressive damage gets to the point where your body's basic biochemical processes can fail.  Antioxidant supplements can be taken to extinguish and limit the damage done by these free radicals.

As you begin to focus on becoming younger and healthier and stop growing older, start by making sure antioxidants are part of your health enhancements. You can take supplements or through food sources. Here are 8 major antioxidants and good food sources.

Beta-caratene (a Vitamin A precursor) along with being an antioxidant is also an immunse system booster.  It is commonly found in orange colored foods:

• Sweet Potato
• Carrots
• Cantaloupe
• Squash
• Apricots
• Pumpkins
• Mangos
• Some leafy green vetables (collard greens, spinach, kale)

Reseach has shown that eating five carrots a week would reduce the risk of stroke as much as 68 percent.

Lutein is an antioxidant that comes from the carotenoids family. It is a phytonutrient that, along with zeaxanthin, can help prevent macular degeneration and also improve vision in people with healthy eyes. Lutein cannot be manufactured by the body and you can only get it from food or supplements. Lutein is found in:

• Zucchini
• Corn (high amounts)
  
• Red seedless graps
• Squash
• Pumpkins
• Spinach
• Peas
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Kale

Zeaxanthin is found in

• Orange peppers
• Oranges
• Mangos
• Honeydew Melon
• Corn (high amounts)
  

Lycopene is the key carotenoid that makes tomatoes red. Good foods sources are:

• Tomatoes
  
• Watermelon
• Guava
• Papaya
• Apricots
• Pink Grapefruit

Harvard Medical School did a six-year study on tomatoes and tomatoe products and the results showed a measurable relationship reducing the risk of prostate cancer when increasing the consumption of tomato products.

Selenium is a co-factor for the enzyme glutathion peroxidase.  It is a mineral that protects cells from free radicals, boosts infection-fighting elements of the immune system, protects the eyes from cataracts and the heart muscle from damage.  Selenium is found in:

• Rice
• Wheat
• Clams
• Crab
• Lobster
• Whole Grains
• Brazil Nuts

Vitamin C will supercharge the immune system and fights agin by protecting telomeres (a compound structure at the end of a chromosome).  Vitamin C actually slows the aging process.   One great source of Vitamin C is the berry from Camu Camu tree in the Amazon.  It has an extraordinary high amount of Vitamin C.  Other sources are:

• Broccoli
• Cantaloupe
• Kiwi Fruit
• Oranges
• Peppers
• Pineapple
• Strawberries 
  

Vitamin A promotes an effective immune system and can be found in:

• Liver
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Milk
• Egg Yolks
• Butternut Squash
• Spinach
• Tuna
  

Flavonoids enhance the action of Vitamin C. They have an antibacterial effect. Food sources are:

• Apples
• Onions
• Broccoli
• Berries
• Citrus Fruits
• Teas
• Red Wine
• Grapes
  

Vitamin E fights heart disease, prevents cancer, alleviates respiratory problems and eases the symptoms of Alzheimer's.  It also helps to boost the immune system.  One must be careful with Natural Vitamin E supplements found in health food or grocery stores.  It is really alpha-tocopherol a cheap by-product of soybean oil.  Vitamin E has eight different members that make up the Vitamin E Tocotrienol family.  Good sources are:

• Safflower Oil
• Soybean Oil
• Spinach
• Sunflower Seeds
• Wheat Germ
• Whole Grains
  

If you want to start reversing and slowing the aging process, then you need to make sure you have a diet that is rich in antioxidants.

Remember, focus on becoming younger and healthier and become aware of what is necessary to slow or reverse the aging clock.