Antioxidants

There are more than 1500 known antioxidants and related phytochemicals that do a good job of combating free radicals in the body.

FREE RADICALS

Free radicals are substances released internally during tissue oxidation processes and externally bombarding your body from radiation, x-rays, pesticides, and pollutants. Free radicals damage cells, interfere with DNA programming, cause aging and all manner of disease.

ORACs

The USDA recommends you consume 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units per day. But if you’re average, you only get about 1,000 units daily.

ORAC means “Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity” of foods. ORAC is a measurement of how well antioxidants in foods neutralize free radicals in your body. [Note" Our unique "KISS" program offerings  (see featured products - Meal Replacement and Exclusive categories in the Shop) assure you of well over 15,000 ORAC units per serving as well as giving you high amounts of bio-available toxin free complete proteins, greens, fruits, targeted nutrients, essential fatty acids, probiotics, enzymes and other anti-aging and healing plants and nutrients].

CAROTENOIDS

Carotenoids are perhaps the most celebrated of antioxidants, first isolated in carrots. There are at least 40 known carotenoids potent in blocking cancer cell replication, fighting allergies and slowing the aging process. Beta-carotene is the best known and most widely available in food sources. The richest sources of beta-carotene per 3.5 ounce servings are dandelion greens (8.4mg), carrots (6.6), sweet potato (5.9), watercress (5.6), kale (5.3), spinach (4.9), mango (2.9), winter squash (2.4), cantaloupe (2), apricots (1.6) and broccoli (1.3) and beets.

The better known carotenoids are alpha and beta carotene (found in carrots, apricots, sweet potatoes and most vegatables) and lutein (found in spinach, celery and kale). Perhaps the most potent known carotenoid is astaxanthin found in certain algae and increasingly added to more advanced supplement and skin care products.

FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids (pycnogenols) are probably the most potent members of the antioxidant family 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E. Flavonoids protect against capillary damage, bruising, cancer and heart disease. The best sources are onions, green peppers, red wine (reseveratrol), green tea (ECGCs) and selected herbs.

KEY ANTIOXIDANT PHYTONUTRIENTS

According to John Betram, PhD and professor of genetics and molecular biology at a Hawaii Cancer Research Center, of the 20 best known cancer fighters, over half are anti-oxidants.

The NIH recommends 5 or 6 servings a day of fresh fruits and vegetables as the best source for antioxidants. We believe organic raw foods and supplemental meal replacement powders are essential for anyone serious about boosting their antioxidant daily intake as each serving of a high quality product can equal the NIH’s daily recommended intake.

Antioxidant Group:

Carotenoids/Vitamin A — good sources carrots, squash, apricots, red pepper, sweet potatoe, celery, spinach, tomatoes, oranges, grapes, seaweeds, algaes)

Vitamin C (good sources parsley, green peppers, green tea, cabbage, kiwi, leafy greens)

Vitamin E (good sources nuts, seeds, wheat germ, soy)

Indoles (good sources radishes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens)

Amino Acids (good sources grass fed dairy products, soy, grains, seafoods, hemp, brown rice, peas)

Genisteins (good sources soy, tempeh, tofu, miso)

Ellagic Acid (good sources apples, berries, tea)

Protease Inhibitors (good sources nuts, seeds, grains)

Selenium and Zinc (good sources nuts, seeds, grains)

FATTY ACIDS (Omega 3, 6, 7 and 9s – while not generally thought of as antioxidants, they play a vital role in a healthy immune system and effectiveness of your body’s free radical fighting capacity)

Other excellent free radical scavengers found in the above food sources and in OWC meal replacement and immune boosting products include these nutrients:

• B Vitamins
• sulphur compounds like quercetin
• CoQ10 (co-enzyme Q10)
• Reseveratrol;
• Alpha lipoic acid,
• SAMe;
• SOD;
• ECGCs

LAND BASED ANTIOXIDANT RICH PLANT & FRUIT SPECIE

Of course some of the better known plant antioxidant sources, some mentioned above, include:

• pomegranate;
• blueberries
• blackberries
• cranberries
• acai berries
• sea buckthorne berries
• goji berries
• noni berries
• mangosteen fruit
• french grapes
• dandeloin
• wasabi
• pine bark
• milk thistle
• quebarcho bark
• grape seeds
• mangos
• macca root
• garlic
• ginger root
• cocoa
• mushrooms
• cat’s claw and others.

OCEAN & WATER BASED ANTIOXIDANT RICH SUPERFOOD PLANT SPECIE

And don’t forget the water and ocean based superfoods that help detox and protect cellular health from diseases such as cancer or heart disease such as:

• spirulina
• chlorella (particularly powerful detox characteristics)
• dulce
• brown seaweed
• nori

The best anti-cancer nutrients and herbs all with antioxidant characteristics are discussed HERE in more detail.