A lot of new evidence suggests that consuming more plant polyphenols is a powerful way to protect aging arteries.  These polyphenol compounds help improve endothelial function, a critical factor in preventing atherosclerosis; inhibit abnormal platelet aggregation which causes most sudden heart attacks and strokes; fight inflammation; and support healthy blood lipids.  Polyphenols that are of particular interest are those derived from green tea, cocoa, apples, and black chokeberry, which all complement each other in helping to build the body’s defenses against various ailments. 

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Ginseng is the most widely used herbal supplements on the market today, compared to all the other herbal supplements. In ancient times it is also known as “man root” since it takes the shape of a man.

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CoQ10 is well known for its benefits in antioxidant protection against free radicals, which often cause oxidative damage at a cellular level when the molecule that is with an unpaired electron tries to balance its structure by gaining or losing one.  CoQ10 has the unique ability to accept or donate an electron without becoming a free radical itself.  Therefore, it neutralizes free radicals and the oxidative damage that results.  Additionally, CoQ10 can inhibit certain enzymes that are involved in the formation of these harmful free radicals. 

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The non-essential amino acid glycine is needed to generate muscle tissue and also for the conversion of blood glucose into energy. It is referred to as being ‘non-essential’ because the body can manufacture its own glycine, and is therefore not an essential component of your diet.  Other uses to which glycine is put by the body includes the maintenance of a healthy nervous system, and is necessary for the proper functioning of the digestive system.

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The immune system is frequently overworked when the days get shorter and the temperature starts to drop, and elderberry can boost the immune system in winter for those that find themselves susceptible to all the colds, flu and other viral infections that seem to come out of the woodwork at that time.

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Dandelion root has been used since time immemorial for the treatment of a wide variety of disorders, and the first written records of its use are from the 10th century writings of Arabian physicians. It was certainly regarded as more than a common weed in mediaeval times when medicines as we know them did not exist.

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Quadrillions of reactive oxygen species bombard our bodies each day to produce harmful effects in the body including aging and cell death. Extensive research found that the reactive species can be controlled by antioxidants found in numerous plants and fruits. One of the fruits rich in antioxidants is the acai berry, a berry found in the bushes of Brazil. This berry was found to have antioxidant contents twice to that of blueberries. Because a cup of blueberries contains as much as 13,000 antioxidants, then doing some calculations would show the antioxidant content of one cup of acai berries to be more than 26,000. So what are acai antioxidants?

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nutritionist

The word antioxidant is used to describe a group of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and carotenoids whose job it is to protect the body from destructive free radicals. Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium are the most well known of the antioxidants. Carotenoids like lutein, beta-carotene and lycopene have high antioxidant nutrition and give a myriad of fruits and vegetables their bright colors. The reason carrots and pumpkins are orange is due to their high beta-carotene content. Green leafy vegetables contain a high concentration of lutein, which is essential for eyesight. You can find lycopene in most red fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes. Color in your diet not only adds variety, it has high nutritional value as well.

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nutritional supplement

What has been described as a “universal,” “ideal,” and “metabolic” antioxidant? Alpha lipoic acid or ALA. It neutralizes free radicals in both the fatty and watery regions of cells. It helps produce the energy for our body’s normal function by converting glucose (blood sugar) into energy. Our bodies produce this fatty acid in small amounts. It occurs naturally in foods like spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, peas, Brewer’s yeast, rice bran and organ meats. ALA is used to treat many serious illnesses.

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As the old saying goes, the key to the heart is through the stomach. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, maintaining a balanced diet is critical to protecting your heart. For many, adopting a low-cholesterol, high-nutrient diet can seem daunting and unappealing. Luckily, protecting your heart doesn’t mean giving up on taste.

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