By Court Roberts, Corporate Fitness
As we age, our bodies start to break down. Body function slows and becomes less efficient. We are not what we used to be. This breakdown of our bodies is caused by a degeneration of our body’s cells, and free radicals are to answer for it. Free radicals are not just found in the environment, they’re also present in our bodies. Free radicals are cells that are not complete; they are missing an important molecule and are highly reactive when they come into contact with other cells. In the attempt to acquire this missing molecule, free radicals will attack other cells – beginning the breakdown of our bodies. They have been blamed for degenerative chronic diseases, such as cancer.
The most abundant and dangerous free radicals are built in part of oxygen such as a hydroxyl, which is one oxygen molecule short of being a water molecule (HO). Athletes are predisposed to this since they have a much higher oxygen consumption than the sedentary population. An increase in oxygen consumption results in an increase in the production of free radicals. This results in muscle fatigue, a slowed recovery time, muscular soreness, a decreased aerobic capacity, a decrease in performance and weaker immune function.
To overcome this, our bodies are equipped with an antioxidant defense system designed to stop the oxidation of molecules in our cells and protect against the damage caused by free radicals. However, sometimes the stress that athletes put on their bodies is far greater than what the antioxidant defense system can handle. A simple diet modification including more antioxidant rich food can foster huge results. Studies have shown that high fruit and vegetable consumption is directly related to the body’s antioxidant status with blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries topping the charts. Adding antioxidant supplements to your diet can really make a difference in your energy level throughout the day. They could be considered the fountain of youth. Not only can antioxidants stop future damage to our cells but it can reverse pre-existing damage as well.
Staying active and adopting a weekly exercise program will lower your risk of cardiovascular disease along with other health related issues down the road, and a diet high in antioxidant rich foods will fuel your way. Antioxidants are the new state of the art foods and supplements for athletes and non-athletes alike.
Resources
Nyanhongo, G. S., Sygmund, C., Ludwig, R., Prasetyo, E., & Guebitz, G. M. (2013). An antioxidant regenerating system for continuous quenching of free radicals in chronic wounds. European Journal Of Pharmaceutics & Biopharmaceutics, 83(3), 396-404. doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2012.10.013
Visavadiya, N. P., McEwen, M. L., Pandya, J. D., Sullivan, P. G., Gwag, B., & Springer, J. E. (2013). Antioxidant properties of Neu2000 on mitochondrial free radicals and oxidative damage. Toxicology In Vitro, 27(2), 788-797. doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2012.12.011
Li, Y., & Li, B. (2013). Characterization of structure–antioxidant activity relationship of peptides in free radical systems using QSAR models: Key sequence positions and their amino acid properties. Journal Of Theoretical Biology, 31829-43. doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2012.10.029
The benefits of antioxidants. (2013, Decembe/January). Box Life, 22.
About the Author:
Court Roberts is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a sports performance coach though USA Weightlifting, and a movement and mobility specialist through Crossfit. He is currently pursuing a degree in Recreation Therapy at San Jose State University and is a D1 collegiate athlete. Court is a native to Los Gatos and enjoys sports, working with youth, and biblical studies. He believes that “To find balance in life you must condition your heart, your mind, and your body. Especially your body.”
