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Looking in the mirror can be scary, especially if you are surprised to see that tired, stressed, graying stranger. With a little help from antioxidants, that stranger in the mirror will begin to reflect good health and vitality.

What causes the damage? In a nutshell, free radicals according to health professionals. These free radicals are produced when our cells use oxygen to produce energy. Consider them a damaging byproduct of oxidation.

Antioxidants, found in foods and supplements, protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Eating five or more servings of organic fruits and vegetables daily is the most effective way to boost your antioxidant levels. For optimum health, plan a diet that includes foods rich in Vitamins E and C, Selenium, and Beta Carotene. If you choose to use a vitamin supplement, select supplements containing natural vitamins rather than a synthetic version.

The best antioxidant for slowing the aging process is Vitamin E. Natural Vitamin E comes in two forms: tocotrienol and tocopherol. Natural tocotrienol is thought to be more potent than tocopherol, but both work to slow the aging process and protect the body's cells. Select soft gel capsules instead of a tablet, and make sure the label reads "d alpha tocopherol acetate" to indicate it is not synthetic.

*Vitamin E is found in nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, brown rice, eggs, green leafy vegetables, and cold pressed oils to obtain your daily dose.

*Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits such as oranges, dark green vegetables, berries, pineapple, papaya, and tomatoes.

*Selenium is commonly found in onions, garlic, wheat germ, salmon, tuna, and chicken.

*Beta Carotene is found in yellow vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, red and yellow peppers, spinach, cantaloupe, and mangoes.

It's easy to incorporate healthy foods into your diet. Add these top power foods to your grocery list: green tea, beans, berries, prunes, tomatoes, pecans, sweet potatoes, apricots, spinach, and apples. Try these simple tips for healthier eating:

*Make breakfast smoothies using berries, bananas, and pineapple juice. Add a tablespoon of flax seed oil.

*Substitute ground nuts for ground beef.

*Add nuts to your breakfast oatmeal or wholegrain cereal.

*Add vegetables to casseroles and pasta dishes.

*Make healthy soups with plenty of beans, carrots, celery, peppers, onions, garlic, brown rice, and chicken.

*Prepare a brown rice pilaf with nuts, onions, and mushrooms.

*Consider eating a hearty raw salad every day made with a variety of dark leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, sunflower seeds, peppers, feta cheese, topped with an olive oil and apple cider vinegar vinaigrette.

*Substitute an apple for a candy bar.

*Drink water flavored with organic fruit juice or fresh lemon.

As we get older, our bodies begin to break down. It's a natural consequence of life in today's world. We eat too much junk food and get too little exercise. What can we expect? Now more than ever, it is important to do what it takes to be healthy.

Learn more about this author, Linda G. Hull.
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