What Are Antioxidants and How They Are Helpful in Improving Health?
ABSTRACT
Wonder why health experts focus on a good diet and fruit consumption. That’s because they are rich in antioxidants and nutrients. Consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants plays a pivotal role in health. They contain antioxidants that help us to get good health. Radiance of skin, the capability to resist the pollution that causes damage to our bodies, protection of our body from wear and tear, and prevention from various health ailments are all because of antioxidants. There are a wide range of antioxidants.
They can be natural or manmade. All offer good health to you.
INTRODUCTION
Antioxidants are substances that inhibit the damage caused by the oxidation process(oxidative stress) in the cells. During the oxidation process, free radicals are produced in our bodies which are called reactive oxygen species(ROS). Free radicals are unpaired electrons that are unstable and very reactive. They gain stability after binding with other electrons. So, these free radicals bind with various proteins, lipids, and DNA to alter the working of organs and cause diseases. Antioxidants are produced either inside our body (cell metabolism), or outside our body (pollution, radiation,). In order to prevent ourselves from free radicals we need to eat food that is rich in antioxidants. Astaxanthin, Anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, carotenoids (xanthophylls and carotenes), and vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin C are rich in antioxidants. How do we know which food has more antioxidants? ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) is a measure that calculates the amount of antioxidants in the food. Indian gooseberry, sorghum, ginger, and coffee are some foods that are higher in antioxidants. Foods rich in antioxidants slow down the oxidative process and radical damage. So now we know the importance of fruits, vegetables, and supplements. We eat antioxidants that protect us from diseases and are very important for our health.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANTIOXIDANTS
REJUVENATING FUNCTION
Antioxidant consumption slows the ageing process. It rejuvenates the body cells and enhances the turnover of epidermal skin.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FUNCTION
Free radicals are responsible for inflammation in the body. During inflammatory response, Leukocytes and mast cells act on the region of damage thereby producing more free radicals in damage and releasing ROS. Antioxidants act by scavenging free radicals and reducing ROS hence decreasing inflammation.
ANTI-CANCEROUS FUNCTION
Antioxidants like glutathione are responsible for decreasing distribution caused by cancerous free radicals.
BRAIN HEALTH
Neurological disorders like schizophrenia, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease are prevented by the optimum use of antioxidants by inhibiting the activity of free radicals. Astaxanthin is known to cross the blood-brain barrier and is useful in brain-related disorders.
GOOD IMMUNITY
Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotenes increase susceptibility to fight against infection.
FOOD SOURCES OF ANTIOXIDANTS
- Dry fruits (Walnuts, pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, chilgoza, etc).
- Berries (Gooseberries, blackberries, crane berries, etc)
- Spices(Turmeric, cloves, cumin, cinnamon, etc)
- Herbs(Tulsi, Kesar, Giloy, aloe vera, rosemary, mint, etc)
- Fruits(Apples, dates, kiwis, grapes, coconut, oranges, tomatoes, peaches, pomegranates, etc)
- Vegetables(broccoli, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, asparagus, artichokes, beetroot, garlic, onion, radish, etc)
- Pulses(green grams, soya beans, chickpeas, green peas, etc)
- Grains (Rakta shali ie. Red rice, Mahashali ie. Basmati rice, Yava ie. Barley)
- OILS: Sunflower oil, primrose oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, mustard oil, etc.
ANTIOXIDANT DEFICIENCY
Antioxidant deficiency occurs when we consume foods that are not rich in antioxidants or our daily recommended antioxidant uptake is not met by the food we eat. Antioxidant deficiency leads to oxidative stress causing damage in our bodies leading to diseases like recurrent cough, cold, infections, heart disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis, Parkinson, senile dementia, and cancer.
HERBAL REMEDIES FOR STAYING HEALTHY THROUGH ANTIOXIDANTS BY PLANET AYURVEDA
Planet Ayurveda provides the best combination of effective herbal remedies as an Antioxidants Pack for good health. It is a polyherbal pack that contains Cranberry capsules, Spirulina capsules, Amalaki rasayan, Immune booster, Brahmi chyawanprash, etc. For natural and herbal treatment always look for natural products which contain pure extracts and are formulated under GMP guidelines. Planet Ayurveda products are scientific and certified. They are free from any chemicals, additives, and preservatives. Planet Ayurveda products are formulated by MD Doctors and are 100% natural, pure, and free from side effects.
Product List
- Cranberry Capsules
- Spirulina Capsules
- Amalaki Rasayan
- Immune Booster
- Brahmi Chyawanprash
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
1. Cranberry Capsules
Cranberry capsule is an ayurvedic formulation that contains a single ingredient that is cranberry (vaccinium oxy-coccus). Cranberries contain antioxidants that prevent a number of diseases. Cranberries are rich in a number of antioxidants like flavonoids, anthocyanins, polyphenols, vitamin C, E, and K. According to Ayurveda cranberries have vitta-balancing properties and it is helpful in slowing the process of ageing. It is Ushna (hot) and Snigdha (oily) in nature. Cranberry is also useful in the prevention of urine infections.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily.
2. Spirulina capsules
Spirulina capsules contain extract of spirulina (Spirulina platensis). It is a Blue algae (Cyanobacteria) rich in antioxidants. It is rich in protein, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and E. Spirulina has the highest ORAC value (24000).
Dosage: 1-2 capsules daily twice with plain water after meals.
3. Amalaki rasayan
Amalaki rasayan is a herbal formulation that contains Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) in its purest form. Amalaki is rejuvenating in nature. It is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. It contains all 5 rasas (sweet, sour, bitter, astringent) except lavan rasa(salt). It is Madhura (sweet) in vipaka (post digestion effect) and shita (cold) in virya (potent energy).
Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
4. Immune booster
Immune booster is a wonderful formulation that contains grape seed (Vitis vinifera), Go-Piyush (Bovine colostrums), Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis). It contains grape seeds that are rich in antioxidants like linoleic acid, vitamin E, zinc, etc and Go-Piyush is the first milk produced after the birth of a calf. It contains proteins, antioxidants, and antibodies to fight against immune system-related disorders. In ayurveda, according to Yogratnakar milk has 10 properties that are similar to that of ojas (immunity). It is a Rasayana (rejuvenator), jeevaniya (enlivening), Medhya (improves intelligence), balya (improves immunity) in nature.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules daily twice with plain water after meals.
5. Brahmi Chyawanprash
Brahmi chyawanprash is an effective herbal formulation. It contains Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Dashmoola (Roots of 10 herbs), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Nagarmoola (Cyperus rotundus), and many other ayurvedic herbs. It contains Brahmi which has antioxidant properties and is responsible for enhancing memory and concentration. It is used to manage vitiated vata dosha. Acharya Chakradutta has written that Brahmi is beneficial in all types of epilepsy. It helps in aiding the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Brahmi chyawanprash is useful in reducing oxidative stress produced by free radicals.
Dosage: 1-2 teaspoons, twice to thrice daily after meals, preferably with milk.
Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4030 (India), +91-172-521-4030 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604
CONCLUSION
In order to reduce oxidative stress and damage caused by unstable free radicals. Nature has provided us with antioxidants that are present in the food we eat which are helpful in providing immunity and reducing the severity of diseases. Antioxidant consumption is of major concern in infections and diseases like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases. The deficiency of antioxidants can be fulfilled by either consuming foods which are higher in ORAC values or by taking herbal supplements. Therefore, we can conclude that antioxidants play a major role in promoting good health.
