Nattaproblem

The word “antioxidants” means to inhibit oxidation, which is a process that creates free radicals and break down of cellular matter.  When oxidation occurs, the body deteriorates slightly and loses it’s vitality.  Antioxidants restore this by halting the oxidation process as much as possible.

Popular areas of study include skincare, hair care, clarity of mind, and cellular regeneration.  After scouring academic journal articles, there wasn’t too much to agree on except to keep consumption of supplements to a minimum.  Another recurring theme throughout the articles I read was to eat vegetables and fruit that had bright vibrant colors (papaya, cantaloupe, watermelon, bell peppers) and leafy greens rich in fiber and minerals (spinach, bok choy, broccoli, cilantro).  Unless a dietitian has assigned a gram for gram journal, color vibrancy and leaf thickness are a good rule of thumb for parsing out good produce choices.

According to Dr. Melina Jampolis too many supplements to offset the lack of antioxidants in our natural diet may be detrimental.  In rare cases, antioxidants have been shown to slow disease progression.  People with genetic predispositions to Macular Degeneration for example (the leading cause of blindness), may benefit from Vitamin A, E, and beta carotene.  For the rest of the population, benefits aren’t as noticeable.

One source of highly concentrated antioxidant is the clove.  A popular ingredient in Asian curries and holiday dinners, cloves are often too strong to eat on it’s own.  However, much like apple cider vinegar along with other strong agents, it seems that no pain no gain isn’t merely a physical fitness adage; it can be applied to dietary intake as well.  For this reason, the herbal manufacturing community has supplied cloves in capsule form to be taken as a natural supplement.  According to the National Nutrient Database for standard reference,  cloves pack in a wide array of nutrients and minerals with numerous benefits, including:

• reducing inflammation (skin, joints).
• relieving upper respiratory infection and/or discomfort
• improving digestion
• clearing the mind
• protecting immune system
• controlling diabetes
• liver protection
• headache treatment

Herbs and spices have been researched extensively, and a good way to think about it is if something is potent and has a smell that can be described as “strong” or “spicy,”  it will most likely have some kind of healing effect on the body.  Think about it.  Garlic, Ginger, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Turmeric, the list goes on.  In small doses and as part of your meal, these foods have been repeatedly shown to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and positively effect your body in some way shape or form.  If it is too strong to eat in large doses, it definitely makes sense that harmful bacteria in your body will find it repulsive as well.

Antioxidants are therefore anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, etc.  These potent herbs and vegetables are cleansing, and healing so they’re worth checking out.  If there’s a chance that eating more garlic each week could improve one’s quality of life, it’s definitely worth checking out.  There are many choices out there, so try them all and have fun.  Just remember, everything in moderation.

Ciao,

Nattapon Jontom Abbett

Nattaproblem