“Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” — Lord Bryon
Archive for January, 2009
Laughter
January 29, 2009Choices
January 21, 2009“If things go wrong, don’t go with them.” — Roger Babson
Gratitude & Health
January 14, 2009“Feelings of gratitude release positive endorphins throughout the body, creating health.” —Sharon Huffman
Friendship!
January 9, 2009“Friendship is born at that moment when 1 person says to another ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one!” — C.S. Lewis
Part 5 – A Word About Antioxidants
January 4, 2009
Antioxidants are nutrients that protect our bodies from oxidative stress. So, what does oxidative stress mean? A scientist or doctor would tell you this is ‘free radical damage’. I’ll illustrate it this way, metals left unprotected rust – rust is oxidative stress or free radical damage.
Fortunately for us, out bodies were designed to use the rich source of antioxidants found in many foods to protect our cells from damage. Enzymes & some proteins produced by our body actually will neutralize many of these oxidants (damaging agents). We can help ourselves by limiting our exposure to ‘rusting’ elements.
1. By not smoking
2. Avoiding as much as possible polluted air
3. No alcohol or at least very little
4. Learn how to reduce your stress level
5. Eating foods rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin C & E
Those of you who read Part 2 know that these nutrients are greatly reduced in our food supply today, due to soil depletion, storage after green harvesting, & especially processing many foods which severely reduces especially Vitamin C. To further complicate matters most people in developed countries do not eat enough antioxidant containing foods. Thus, the developing industry that advertises products “rich in antioxidants” is leading many to supplement their diet.
It is now being discovered that unless these antioxidants are balanced as Mother Nature does there can actually be damage to cells. An example is fruits with Vitamin C are balanced & more effective when they are also rich in flavonoids. If we are supplementing how can we know that what we take is beneficial or harmful?
1. Should contain no more than 100% of the daily recommended minimum amounts of antioxidant vitamins & minerals
2. Get as much from real plants as possible
3. Must be balanced in its ability to protect all components of our body
a. Components found in the fat portion (fat soluble)
b. Components found in water-soluble
4. Released into the bloodstream slowly in a sustained way
5. Should contain the chemicals called “polyphenols”
6. Whole-food dietary supplements are better than single-nutrient supplements.
Much of this information is found in the book “Choices” by Thomas Gardiner, PhD, Eileen Vennum, RAC, Shayne McAnalley, Bill H. McAnalley, PhD.
Because educated people make better choices.
War or Peace
January 1, 2009“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man.” — Benjamin Franklin
