Superfoods: Antioxidants, Free Radicals & the Best Sources

 

Embarking on a healthier lifestyle often means integrating detoxes, superfoods, and antioxidants into our diets, which can feel overwhelming. Emphasizing a diet rich in antioxidants is a solid starting point, potentially reducing disease risk, such as heart conditions and certain cancers, and benefiting skin health.

Delving into Antioxidants

Antioxidants combat free radicals, potentially harmful compounds that can contribute to diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, by preventing or slowing cellular damage. While the body has natural antioxidant defenses, additional sources include fruits, vegetables, and vitamins E and C, known for their antioxidant properties.

Understanding Free Radicals

Free radicals, unstable molecules produced under environmental stresses, could lead to severe health consequences if left unchecked. They are necessary for immune defense but in excess can cause oxidative stress, damaging DNA and increasing cancer and aging risks. Factors like pollution, alcohol, high sugar levels, and infections can elevate free radical production and oxidative stress.

Antioxidant Sources

Antioxidants are partly produced by our bodies, but plant-based foods, especially fruits and vegetables, significantly boost our antioxidant intake, referred to as “superfoods” for their high levels.

Highlighting Antioxidant-rich Superfoods

  • Blueberries: Antioxidant-rich Fruits
  • Blueberries, loaded with antioxidants like phytochemicals, flavonoids, and vitamins E, A, and C, improve blood antioxidant levels and may prevent DNA damage.
  • Nuts: Antioxidant Powerhouses
  • Nuts, including walnuts, pecans, and peanuts, are high in antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals, reducing cell damage and disease risk.
  • Dark Green Vegetables: Antioxidant-laden Greens
  • Vegetables such as kale, spinach, and broccoli are packed with antioxidants and nutrients, supporting health and potentially offering cancer-fighting properties.
  • Tea: A Leading Source of Antioxidants
  • Tea, rich in flavonoid antioxidants, offers detoxifying effects that protect cells from free radicals, surpassing even fruits and vegetables in antioxidant content.
  • Beans: Reigning in Antioxidants
  • Beans stand out for their antioxidant content, with green broad beans offering significant amounts per serving, alongside a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Glutathione: The Intracellular Antioxidant Booster
  • Produced by the body’s cells, glutathione supports immune function, detoxification, and fat metabolism, with its levels influenced by nutrition, toxins, stress, and aging.

Incorporating these antioxidant-rich foods into your diet can enhance your health, offering protection against diseases and supporting overall well-being through natural, nutrient-dense choices.

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  • Blueberries - Fruits Packed with Antioxidants

    • Saxenda® is an injectable prescription medicine that, when used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, may help adults with obesity or overweight (excess weight) who also have weight-related medical problems

      Initially approved for the treatment of diabetes, Saxenda contains the medication Liraglutide, a synthetic version of a glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone that works by slowing stomach emptying, increasing satiety, and reducing hunger.

      It is delivered by once daily injections.

      Weight loss from this medication was reported during trials:

      • 63% lost at least 5% of body weight
      • 33% lost at least 10% body weight
      • 15% lost at least 15% of body weight

      And 80% of participants kept the weight off at one year.

      Ask our medical team about Saxenda today

  • Be Nuts for Antioxidants

    • This once weekly injectable medication contains, Semaglutide, a synthetic version of a glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone that affects appetite and hunger. In trials, 75% of patients lost over 10% of their body weight.

      Like all GLP-1 analogues, it works by slowing stomach emptying, increasing satiety, and reducing hunger.

      What’s the difference between Saxenda and Ozempic:

      • Ozempic is a once weekly injection, rather than once a day.
      • Ozempic has been shown to be mire effective in longer term weight management.
      • At the moment, Ozempic is prescribed off-label for weight loss, as it is not licenced for weight-loss (only management of diabetes)

      Ask our medical team about Ozempic today

  • Dark Green Vegetables for Vitality

    • Wegovy is the exciting new injectable weight loss drug, specifically targeting medical weight loss; it is a synthetic version of a glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone that affects appetite and hunger.

      Wegovy is an FDA approved preparation of Semaglutide, licenced specifically for weight loss, which at present is not licenced in the UK. Approval is expected at some point in late 2022 or early 2023.

      The starting dose for Wegovy, will likely be higher than Ozempic.

      Like all GLP-1 analogues, it works by slowing stomach emptying, increasing satiety, and reducing hunger.

      During clinical trials to evaluate the safety of Wegovy when used for treating obesity, participants without diabetes who were prescribed Wegovy lost on average, 12.4% of their initial body weight when compared to a placebo.

      Ask our medical team about Wegovy today

      Studies show you will lose about 5% of your body weight within 3 months

  • Tea - The Best Antioxidant Drink

    • Tea is an antioxidant packed drink that contains a specific kind of antioxidant called flavonoid. Tea is said to have ten times the amount of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. The detoxifying effect of these antioxidants protects cells from free radicals.

  • The Humble Bean's Antioxidant Reign

    • The humble bean is the king when it comes to antioxidants. Beans are also one of the best vegetable sources of antioxidants. A FRAP analysis found that green broad beans contain up to 2 mmol of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces (100 grams).

      In fact, beans provide a fantastic package of nutrients, including many vitamins and minerals. Green soybeans and soy provide vitamin C, calcium, zinc, and selenium. Lentils and black-eyed peas are rich in folate and zinc. Black beans and kidney beans also offer a good amount of folate. Baked beans on toast anyone?

  • Glutathione: Your Intramuscular Antioxidant Booster

    • Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that is produced by your body’s cells. It’s made up of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine.

      Research suggests that Glutathione can also benefit the body in other ways, such as supporting immune function, forming sperm cells, transporting mercury out of the brain and helping the liver and gallbladder deal with fats.

      The levels of Glutathione in your body can decrease due to poor nutrition, environmental toxins, stress or ageing.