by Anthony Stemke

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

We may not be able to stop Father Time, but with Mother Nature's help we can certainly stop its devastation. The main reason why so many people don't age gracefully is inflammation, caused by free radicals. This inflammation, like rust on iron, causes degenerative body changes, starting at the molecular level. If these free radicals go unchecked they can damage any part of a cell, which then escalates to your tissues, organs and even entire systems of the body. Just going about your business causes these oxidative damages.

Causes of inflammation are everywhere in our lives. The contaminants in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and additives in the foods we eat, all contribute to premature aging and disease. But you can fight these ravages by making sure your diet includes the proper anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. There is a lot you can do to make your later years more healthy and comfortable. Heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritus, asthma, migraine headaches, Alzheimer's disease, fibromyalgia, periodontal disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome are all caused by inflammation, as well as obesity, stroke, depression, allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases.

ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbence capacity, is the measurement of the ability of a food to eliminate free radicals. Examples of foods that fight these free radicals are berries, garlic, kale, spinach, broccoli, oranges, and tomatoes. Fresh vegetables like leafy green vegetables, celery, green beans add anti-oxidants to your diet as well as vitamins and minerals and fiber. Carotenoids, like those found in parsnips combat macular degeneration of the eyes.

Anti- oxidant rich foods are usually brightly colored like blueberries, red grapes and cherries. Recent research suggests that these foods possess anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. There are thousands of anti-oxidant phytochemicals that are beneficially anti-viral, anti-allergic, and anti-cancerous. Since these phytochemicals are found only in plant foods, it is an excellent reason for consuming green leafy vegetables, root vegetables and the like.

Cherries contain "ellegic acid," which also fights synthetic and naturally occurring carcinogens, preventing cancer. And they are a wonderful fruit to help lower cholesterol and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries because of their anti-oxidant flavonoids. Specific compounds in cherries lower blood lipid levels and offer heart disease and stroke protection.

Researchers

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