Boost your health with Antioxidants and fight America’s greatest diseases
You may have seen me post all over Facebook recently that I’m as healthy as Dr. Oz. In fact, that’s what Erik told me to title this article because he said the headline would attract readers. The fact is, if I wrote that, I’d be so embarrassed. Not for being as healthy as Oz, but for outright bragging like that. I do like to toot my own horn every now and then–I mean, that’s how I got started in my blog writing–but to downright throw myself out there?
Sure, why not?
If I must brag, then on a health scale of red to purple, I rank as a big ol’ blue. And I realize that unless you’ve watched this Dr. Oz episode, color schemes mean nothing to you.
So on a scale of 1-6, six being the highest level of health perfection one could achieve, I ranked–along with Dr. Oz–as a 5. The average American is a 1-2.
So Ms. Cocky, what exactly is being tested?
The Biophotonic Scanner used in the video and on myself tests antioxidant levels in the body. Antioxidants protect us from diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s, etc. The more antioxidants we have in our bodies, the more we can protect ourselves against the following age-defying illnesses:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cognitive impairment
- Immune dysfunction
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s
(fitday.com)
Where are Antioxidants Found?
Most of your best antioxidants are simply found in nature–the raw foods we consume. Berries, vegetables, cocoa, fruit–they all have different antioxidants that help boost our health in a variety of ways. The following are just a few examples:
- Beta carotene found in carrots can help maintain eye health
- Lycopene found in tomatoes can contribute to prostate health
- Flavonoids found in tea, cocoa and chocolate, coffee, fruit, cinnamon, and oregano boost antioxidant levels in the heart
- Proanthocyanidins found in cranberries and apples aid in the maintenance of the urinary tract.
- Vitamins and Minerals that support the chemical reactions our cells need to live are found in all fresh fruits and vegetables–especially those grown organically
- Cartinoids (lycopene, carotenes, lutein) that protect against chronic illnesses are found in fresh fruits, vegetables and eggs
“The amount of antioxidants in your body is directly proportional to how long you will live.” – Dr. Richard Cutler, former Director of the National Institute of Aging, Washington
The list doesn’t end there, either. Antioxidants don’t just improve your physical health, but they improve your overall quality of life. The following list is just a glimpse at what antioxidants can do for your overall health:
- increase your energy
- give you better resistance to colds & flu
- give you softer, younger-looking skin
- aid in allergy relief
- promote asthma relief
- improve your circulation
- aid in weight loss
- reduce high blood pressure
- improve digestion
- give relief from arthritis
- help control diabetes
- improve sleep
- give relief from menstrual symptoms
- improve memory and concentration
(antioxidantsforhealthandlongevity.com)
How did I get so Healthy?
I attribute my high antioxidant level to my “mostly” organic and low-carb/non-processed food diet AND the fact that I eat a whole bag of spinach almost every day. (I so love my spinach.) I wouldn’t say that I eat a “ton” of veggies, and I eat almost zero fruit (due to the high amounts of fructose), but after doing a lot of research on the topic of antioxidants, I discovered that I’ve been protecting myself even better than I realized. Here’s what I do:
I supplement with a greens superfood powder every day: Amazing Grass Superfood. I get the cocoa flavored one and mix it in a simple shake of almond milk and whey protein powder. It’s only 30 calories per scoop and has zero sugar. It contains protein, fiber, vitamin A, C, K, and B6; Riboflavin, Niacin, Folic Acid, Cobalamin, Calcium, Iron, Iodin, Selenium, Manganese, Potassium, and Chlorophyll.It also has its own blend of: Greens: organic wheat grass, organic barley grass, organic alfalfa, organic spirulina, organic spinach, chlorella, and organic broccoli; Chocolates: organic dutch cocoa, organic redwood cocoa, and organic cacao; Probiotics: F.O.S. from chicory root, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Protease, Amylase, Lipase, Lactase, and Cellulase; Fiber: organic flax seed powder, apple pectin fiber, and of course ANTIOXIDANTS: organic acai, organic maca, organic carrot, organic beet, raspberry, organic rose hips, pineapple, organic goji berries, green tea, and acerola cherry.The powder is also noted to support body alkalinity, boost energy and immune system, and is gluten free and vegan.- I also supplement with Whey Isolate: Dymatize Iso 100. I never knew before I read DH Kiefer’s CBL 1.0 that a good whey isolate was not only full of antioxidants, but it’s apparently the best way to pump the body FULL of them:
“Whey isolate is particularly effective at alleviating and preventing oxidative damage. It works by increasing levels of an amino acid called glutathione, which fuels the main anti-oxidant machinery of the cells in the body. Eating fruits and vegetables pales in comparison to the glutathione mechanism. Glutathione also helps recycle other antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E, decreasing the need for these vitamins. The two systems differ wildly. Anti-oxidants of the fruit-and-veggie type float around the blood stream and might bump into a free radical, neutralize it and prevent it from doing damage. Even with massive amounts of blood-born anti-oxidants, it’s still a crap-shoot as to whether free radicals get nullified. The glutathione-driven system, however, works within each cell, so cells neutralize the free-radical, thus preventing an attack. It’s no longer random chance if the reactive-oxidative agent gets neutralized—it does.” DH Kiefer
- Some other sources of antioxidants that I take daily are simple forms like coffee–black, organic unsweetened cocoa powder in my smoothies, cinnamon (on anything–I absolutely love cinnamon), and of course vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and brussel sprouts–just about the only ones I’ll eat. Now, I’ll never go right and tell anyone that he/she should consume a bottle of wine every night in order to protect themselves against free radicals, but I do choose a glass of red wine over any other alcoholic beverage when I decide to have a drink. I’m sure this isn’t my number one disease fighter, but I’m also sure my choices could be a lot worse.
What can YOU do to give your insides a BOOST? Here’s a few simple things I’d suggest trying:
- Cut out all (or as much as possible) processed foods. I personally attribute almost all of society’s major diseases and health issues to processed/boxed/pre-made/etc. foods.
- Eat more whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Berries are known for having high antioxidant content, as well as dark green leafy vegetables like spinach. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts are linked specifically to fighting cancer.
- Try to consume more organic foods. Just as above, some of the most important antioxidant-rich foods are ones that are NOT peeled and/or sprayed heavily by pesticides. When buying a fruit or veggie that isn’t going to get peeled, get organic. Besides, just as Dr. Oz’s antioxidant expert said, organic foods have to produce more antioxidants in order to thrive without outside help. Those foods will actually contain more antioxidants than the non-organic version. Sure, it might be a bit more expensive, but just think that you’re paying a few cents more for all those disease fighters. As one of my food gurus Paul Chek would say, “I’d rather pay more for food now than hospital bills later.”
- Find a supplement or two that will give you a boost that you don’t mind taking. Whether its a greens powder, hydrolyzed whey, or some yummy sweet acai juice, try adding something simple to your nutrition plan. These MonaVie antioxidant juices taste awesome and you only need 2-4 ounces a day for an optimal antioxidant boost.
My FAVORITE Antioxidant Boosters:
- Amazing Grass Supergreens
- Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders
- Spinach and Cruciferous Vegetables
- Organic Coffee
- Organic Cocoa (Click HERE for a quick article on why organic chocolate is GOOD FOR YOU!)
- Cinnamon
Why should you listen to me?
Because I’m healthy and I’ve got the proof. Dr. Oz and the Antioxidant scanner just validated all my years of nutrition theory and practice. It’s about damn time! Cocky? Not as much as you’d think. Driven to help you even more? Hell YES!
. 
Resources:
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/how-do-antioxidants-benefit-me.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om6kfdp7l1I
http://www.organicauthority.com/health/health/the-health-benefits-of-antioxidants.html
http://www.antioxidants-for-health-and-longevity.com/benefits-of-antioxidants.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotenoid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant
http://greatist.com/health/is-chocolate-healthy/
http://www.thebody.com/content/art6126.html
