Antioxidants Fight Free Radicals

Free radicals are a fact of life. They can be in everything we consume, including the food we eat, water we drink, and even in the air we breathe. They are found in chemicals, bacteria, parasites, and just about everything we can see and touch. They can damage and literally destroy our good cells, which can lead to serious diseases.

Scientific tests have shown that free radicals can cause symptoms of liver and lung damage, accelerated aging, cancers, heart disease, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and a number of other destructive changes to the body.

Antioxidants can actually neutralize these free radicals. By neutralizing these rogue molecules, antioxidants work to protect us from diseases and harmful elements which can be devastating to our health. Ideally, you would consume them through raw/uncooked plants such as fruits, vegetables, and sprouts. Cereal Grasses (Barley, Wheat, Kamut, Oat) and algaes (Spirulina, Chlorella), along with fresh, raw juices are considered the absolute best antioxidants.

When you know you are not eating enough of these natural nutrients, the antioxidant supplements beta carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E are recommended as part of your daily diet. Their benefits also help boost your immune system, which lessens your chances of cancers and other diseases. This is not to say that antioxidants, in either supplemental form or natural food form, will in fact prevent any kind of disease. They will not. But, your chances of being healthier and living longer can be much greater if you keep your immune system strong and reduce the amount of free radicals that mutate your cells.

Vitamin Benefits for the Muscles

We tend to think of maintaining and strengthening muscles of the arms, legs, back, etc. We work them and nourish them through exercise and eating right.

Are you aware of other important muscles in the body? Did you know that the heart is a muscle too? Did you know that our muscles are responsible for holding our internal organs in place? That being said, we have to consider all muscles when we as we plan both fitness routines and vitamin supplementation.

Let's look at which vitamins benefit our muscles the most.Vitamin C is a must that aids in the absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. These elements all work together enabling our muscles to contract properly. Each and every muscle of the body, including the heart, must contract properly in order to maintain good, general health to the entire body.

Our muscles also rely on vitamin C for healthy blood vessels. Blood vessels are the oxygen (and other nutrients) lifeline to our muscles.

Vitamin C aids the body in forming collagen and elastin. These two elements provide structure to our muscles by enforcing our connective tissues.

The B vitamins are essential for creating red blood cells for the whole body. Our muscles need these healthy strong, red blood cells in order to function well. Our entire body relies on them as a matter of fact.

Deficiencies of B vitamins can lead poor muscle coordination, which can lead to even further problems with our entire structure. So, make sure you are getting enough B complex in your diet, or daily supplements.

Both vitamin B and C work with other nutrients to perform their functions well, therefore a good, multiple vitamin is recommended for everyone, whether you decide to add other supplements or not.

Along with these nutrients, you must also get regular exercise to sustain, maintain, and strengthen every muscle in your body.

Some natural supplements to aid the muscles include:

1. StretchEasy Formula - Prevent stretchmarks, improve skin tone, flexibility and elasticity. A good all-around muscle aid.

2. JointEase Plus for Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. It assists the joints, especially if you have joint problems, which supports the muscles.

Reduce your Risk of Alzheimer’s

Did you know that many vitamins can greatly reduce your risk of getting a lot of diseases? Yes indeed they can.

One such disease is Alzheimer’s, something all of us wish to avoid. Unfortunately, as our age increases, so does our risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s.

How can vitamins benefits you then? Two vitamins, Vitamin C and E not only help reduce risk of Alzheimer’s, but they can actually help to slow the progression of it once it's already present.

Should you or someone you love already have this affliction, or any other medical condition for that fact, it would be wise to first consult a physician before supplementing with extra vitamin C and/or Vitmain E. In some cases some vitamins can work against medications a patient may be taking.

Vitamin c - Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin c, also known as Ascorbic Acid, is a water soluble antioxidant vitamin that can aid your body in the following ways:

• maintain and repair the condition of skin
  
• produce collagen, which can slow down the aging process that causes wrinkles and sagging skin
  
• heal wounds faster
  
• helps properly absorb iron
  
• decrease blood cholesterol
  
• helps utilize carbohydrates
  
• maintain the growth and repair of bones
  
• helps boosts your immune system
  
• maintain the growth and repair of gums and teeth
  
• assist in preventing viral and bacterial infections
  
• synthesize fats and proteins
  
• increase the production of white blood cells and antibodies
  
• strengthen artery walls
  
• reduce the incidense of blood clots in veins
  
• maintain growth and repair of blood vessels
  
• aid the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells and hemoglobin
  
• keep the nervous system healthy
  
• maintain the growth and repair of body tissue cells
  
• boost healing following surgery
  
• can lower the incidence of some cancers
  

Recommemded Daily Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin C for Males (mg/day):

Children 1-3 years 15

Children 4-8 years 25

Children 9-13 years 45

Adolescents 14-18 years 75

Adults 19 years and older 90

Smokers 19 years and older 125

Recommemded Daily Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin C for Females (mg/day):

Children 1-3 years 15

Children 4-8 years 25

Children 9-13 years 45

Adolescents 14-18 years 65

Adults 19 years and older 75

Smokers 19 years and older 110

Pregnant 18 years and younger 80

Pregnant 19 years and older 85

Breastfeeding 18 years and younger 115

Breastfeeding 19 years and older 120

The human body does not produce its own vitamin c, therefore you must consume it in the foods you eat and by using supplements, if necessary.

Vitamin c is very important in maintaining quality skin care, and in fighting the common cold, among it's many other roles.