The Free Radical Problem
How do you know your supplements are making a difference? Before you or I answer that, let’s get a better understanding what happens to us daily at the cellular level. Each day we are exposed to free radicals – unstable molecules that steal or ’scavenge’ electrons from other molecules. Many of the physical effects we call aging are a result of free radical damage. And no matter how healthy you try to be, you receive free radical damage every single day.
Exposure to free radical activity is a natural part of life, but in today’s highly stressful and hectic world, it’s possible to become overexposed and experience greater consequences of free radical damage. Environmental pollution, unbalanced diets, preservatives and additives in food, excessive body fat due to inactivity, mental stress, and even breathing create free radicals in your body. When left unchecked, free radical damage to your cells accumulates and can lead to serious health concerns later in life. In fact, free radical damage can cause premature aging and is a large factor in the deterioration of health over time.
Natures solution – Antioxidants are your first defense against free radicals – they freely share their electrons and stop the degenerative chain reaction of free radicals. Our bodies naturally generate some antioxidants, and certain foods also contain antioxidants. However, new research shows additional sources of antioxidants may provide added protection against a growing onslaught of free radical invaders.
Carotenoids are an important category of antioxidants, they are primarily responsible for the reds, oranges, and yellows we see in fruits and vegetables. In our bodies non-carotenoid antioxidants rely on carotenoids to defend and replenish themselves, so that they can continue their cell-protective work. Therefore, a high level of carotenoids in the antioxidant defense network suggests that there are also high levels of other antioxidants. Research suggests that skin carotenoid levels measured with the Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner correlates with, and are a good indication of, the body’s overall antioxidant defense system.
If you would like to know your skin carotenoid score using this high-tech scanner, contact us for local scanning appointments or for a scan operator near you. Flex-Fit Training and Healthy Numbers are currently sponsoring a 10 week ‘Eating Healthy – Antioxidant Contest’ at Flex-Fit Training Studio here in Raleigh where 51 of our clients are eating more fruits / vegetables daily and having repeat skin carotenoid scans to see their progress in fighting illness, infection, disease, and slowing the aging process. For more information contact us at duane@flexfittraining.com.
All information in this blog post is accredited to Pharmanex, a division of NuSkin