I am almost certain that you have heard about harmful bacteria and viruses that frequently attack our bodies. Fortunately, we have immune systems that can often destroy these invaders and as a result help us remain healthy. Sometimes these intruders get the upper hand and we suffer the consequences.

There is another type of intruder that is not publicized much by the pharmaceutical industry because it is best controlled by natural foods. This intruder is called free radicals of oxygen that are formed from damaged oxygen molecules that we breathe. This intruder is created by radiation from the sun and pollution that exists in the air we breathe. These free radicals will attack almost anything they can in order to repair the damage done to them. Free radicals will attack bananas and create brown spots, they will even attack iron and create rust. They are the chief producers of decay.

When free radicals enter our bodies they attack the normal healthy cells in our bodies and a battle begins because our healthy cells do not want to be destroyed. It is estimated that every cell experiences ten thousand free radical attacks each hour of every day. The cells can ward off the attacks when we are young, but as we age the free radicals begin to win the battle, it has been estimated that more than two hundred diseases are associated with free radical damage.

To protect ourselves from free radicals and the oxidative stress and inflammation they cause, we need to obtain large quantities of antioxidants that will provide the missing electron that the free radicals are desperately seeking and thus not attack the healthy cells in our bodies.

Antioxidants are produced in our bodies as well as in many of the foods we eat. The problem is that the production of antioxidants from these sources is not enough to prevent free radical damage.

As examples, we would have to eat 12 pounds of tomatoes daily or 8 pounds of spinach. We therefore need to consume foods with very high antioxidant properties. It turns out that the greatest amount of antioxidants is found in cacao, yes, a certain type of chocolate!! I will be presenting information about cacao and other foods that will help prevent many diseases as well as aging.