Does this question perplex you? Well not to worry, people generally don’t know about free radicals and those who do, don’t sit around all day thinking about them. Contrary to what the name implies, the body actually creates free radicals to help protect it against attacks from viruses and bacteria. But not all free radicals are created equal. The stresses of modern life, pollution and other environmental calamities have contributed to deformities in the creation of these molecules. Generally, these malformed free radicals are inaccurate in executing their jobs. Instead of simply attacking viruses and bacteria they also attack perfectly good cells causing ailments from as simple as the common cold to as complex as cancer.

But hold on, don’t panic; you are not in mortal danger. The body has a fantastic build-in mechanism to handle these errant free radicals. It uses molecules known as antioxidants to stabilize them and force them to behave correctly. Antioxidants are obtained primarily from the food we eat on a daily basis. Stabilizing the behavior of free radicals is critical if the body is to remain healthy.

Foods high in antioxidants include fruits, berries, beans, vegetables and certain nuts. If you want to boost your body antioxidant level include these foods in your diet. How to prepare them is your choice, but some healthcare counselors advise that except for beans, eating vegetables raw may be best. Of course, berries and fruits are naturally eaten fresh. Opponents of juicing however suggest that the best way to get your antioxidant is through the process of Juicing. They recommend juicing the vegetables, fruits and berries together for maximum results.

Of course, you should not be surprised to hear that there are huge numbers of supplements on the market that claim to supply the body with antioxidants on demand. Exactly how effective these lab-based antioxidants are is still being debated. As always, and especially in this case, it’s recommended that you discuss the use of supplements with your doctor.

It is difficult to control our environment these days; the “modern industrial complex” holds the reins and this is taking a severe toll on our bodies. The incidence of many chronic diseases is on the rise and modern medicine in battling day-by-day to find cures and treatments for the multitude of ailments that confront them daily. Now we may not be doctors, researchers or stakeholders in the modern industrial complex but we are individuals who can take control of our health.

One of the easiest ways to keep our bodies healthy is through our diet. Plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries are compulsory and will provide tremendous amount antioxidants to help the body fight off the effects of errant free radicals. We all need free radicals, but when our surroundings precipitate the formation of malformed free radicals we must be able to correct the problem naturally. Enrich your diet with antioxidants today. Eat more fresh fruits, vegetable, nuts, beans and berries.

There is evidence that diets rich in antioxidants have helped to relieve symptoms of type II diabetes and hypertension. This is yet another way individuals can treat common illnesses without relying on the use of synthetic drugs. Consult your healthcare practitioner to see how you can best use your diet as part of your healthy lifestyle.