Tips to Prevent Aging Naturally – The Importance of Anti Oxidants

It is not unusual to hear conflicting opinions on what works or does not work as far as preventing or slowing down aging. Scientists are constantly doing research to discover effective treatments for people and they may be working for cosmetics companies, or just doing funded research for a private company.

One thing to keep in mind is that many “discoveries” are not really “new”. In fact, they have been used for thousands of years, especially in China. The Chinese have long known about the value of anti oxidants, although they had not referred to them as anti oxidants. They knew a lot about herbs and supplements and which plants, berries or vegetables were best for certain ailments.

Although aging is not really an “ailment”, it does come with its own set of special health issues, concerns and changes in appearance. We are learning more and more information all of the time about the role and importance of anti oxidants and why we should be vigilant to include foods that contain them in our diets.

The most simple explanation of anti oxidants is that they slow down oxidation. Although oxidation is a necessary function of cells, when it is accelerated, it can cause the development of many illnesses, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Anti oxidants are a major factor in the protection of your body and your body’s cells against free radicals as well as the effects of toxins.

This is why prevention is the key. Due to the fact that we are an “instant gratification” society, we believe that we can take care of any issues almost overnight. When there is not an instant payoff or noticeable change, we think that something is a scam or is overrated.

Anti oxidants are something that you need to incorporate into your diet daily. Whether it is with certain foods that you eat or with supplements. The long term effects of this dietary aid are substantial. So what are foods that contain anti oxidants? Coffee, berries and grapes (mainly the grape’s skin). Red wine and white wine are very good sources of anti oxidants, but of course, you must drink them in moderation.

The best way to get the biggest benefit from these sources of anti oxidants is to obtain fresh sources, especially berries. Of course, berries can be exceedingly expensive when you try to buy them during the winter months. One way around this is to go to a “u-pick” berry farm in the summer, pick several large containers of berries, and freeze them on large cookie sheets. Once the berries are frozen, you can bag them into single or family serving portions for use over the winter months.

It is equally important to ensure that you get a restful sleep each and every night, and find ways in which to relieve any stress that you may have in your life. Stress and being tired are two of the main cell killers and can strip you of your natural anti oxidants. One of the best and most effective ways to relieve stress is to find some sort of physical activity that you enjoy and partake in it daily or several times per week. Exercise also provides a natural “buzz” or euphoric feeling which can become a sort of “addiction”. There really is no issue with this sort of addiction, it is a healthy one, as opposed to drugs or alcohol.

Ensuring that you get enough anti oxidants every day does not have to be difficult. You can also purchase supplements at your local pharmacy or health food store. You want to look for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Omega 3, 6 and 9. You also want to purchase fruit that is high in amino acid and foods that contain resveratrol and glutathione. When you shop at the grocery store, consider purchasing a wide range of colorful fruits and vegetables. You may find that you have to shop more often in order to maintain a fresh supply. Although this may be a hassle for those of you who lead busy lives, it is simply the best way to ensure that you are getting the most anti oxidants possible from the food that you are purchasing.