The most important benefit from antioxidants is cell protection.  Antioxidants can help to protect your cells from damage, which helps to fend off diseases.  Often, you may have a deficiency of vitamins in your body, which will cause you to recover from diseases or injury very slowly.  If you have the proper amount of vitamins and antioxidants in your body, you’ll observe the difference in recovery speed.

Other benefits include:

- keeping blood clotting in check
- restoring libido
- maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and nails
- stronger immunity
- reduces risk of some cancers
- reduces risk of heart disease
- helps with night blindness

The best way to get antioxidant supplements is in a herbal or natural form. There are non synthetic supplements available, that are best for keeping your body supplied, and helping to keep good health maintained.  They can be easily absorbed by your body, unlike some synthetic supplements.

Whatever you do, don’t count on the pills, natural or not. Always remember that even though you may be consuming vitamins that incorporate antioxidants, you will still need to remain on a healthy diet.  You will need food that contains good amounts of minerals and vitamins, although the supplemental vitamins will help, particularly if your body is running low on its supply of antioxidants.  You can also use vitamin supplements that contain antioxidants if you are not able to eat the right foods that contain these precious nutrients.

The following is a great starter list of foods that are good sources of the antioxidants your body loves.

- garlic
- nuts
- meat (some would prefer not include red meats)
- eggs
- poultry
- seafood
- whole grains
- red, yellow-orange, and leafy green vegetables (including carrots, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and pumpkin)
- fruits (including apricots, cantaloupe, avocado, citrus, berries, mango, and papaya)
- wheat germ, whole grains

You have probably noticed that berries, especially, are in the news frequently. (by the way, botanically, there is a question about what is a fruit and what is a vegetable, but the above list is from a standard culinary stand point!)

If you aren’t providing your body with the correct amount of antioxidants, you’ll be at risk for sickness or disease.  Antioxidants help your body in various ways, which is why you want to make sure that you are taking in the right amounts.  Good health stores have a variety of vitamins, and supplements, that include them. All you must do is make sure that you are eating right and doing all you can to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Lately, the supplement industry has been undergoing these rising costs which can be attributed to both the cost of fuel and environmental practices against the business practices of raw material suppliers in China, the place where most supplements originate.  A trend that appears to parallel the rising cost of fuel, the supplement industry has seen a great deal of price increases during the last year, which has lead to some serious vitamin sticker shock.  For example, the bulk cost of vitamin C has quadrupled since 2007, while vitamin B2 has increased 300% in the same period. 

Inflation is now the only culprit for these rising prices.  One main factor is the cost of oil, which has broken a great deal of records recently, with it consistently hovering around $100 a barrel.  As transportation prices are inevitably going up, that cost is passed along to different parts of the vitamin manufacturing industry, which ultimately affects the consumer.  Another factor is the dramatic price increase that has been seen in the cost of raw materials, especially those that originate in China. 

Quality also plays a critical role in the price hikes as well.  Some vitamins are more expensive than in the past because of a recently developed testing method that has found original supplements to be less pure than originally thought.  Since supplement makers only want the purest raw materials, they have shifter their buying and now have to pay more money for only the purest of materials.  The biggest factor in dietary supplements cost increases is China, which supplies more than 85% of the vitamin C that is consumed by habitants of the United States.  Although supplement providers were once scattered around the world, China has recently begun dominating the international market, which has led to the closing of many western production facilities. 

Chinese providers can easily beat its competitors’’ labor costs, which paves the way for these companies to dictate prices.  China also introduced an export tax, which was advertised as a necessity for healthy global competition, which led to another price increase in the raw materials.  Many industry experts believe that this tax is an artificial price hike, as China has no real competition at this time.  Because the Chinese prices are fluctuating so wildly, raw material suppliers are less willing to guarantee prices longer than two or three months.  

On the good side, consumers benefit from more affordable supplements when China drives prices down.  Supplement makers believe that prices will stay low for the next couple of years.  Meanwhile, domestic companies are feeling frustrated with the price hikes, as they are trying to absorb most of the higher costs in the hope that consumer loyalty will weather the market fluctuations.  The pinch will ultimately be felt until China lowers its prices or increases production.

All throughout history, the medicinal potential of plants has been celebrated.  Modern science has found that edible plants are to be valued for their high vitamin and fiber along with their rich store of polyphenols.  Polyphenols are found in fruits and vegetables, as well as cocoa, tea, and chokeberry and have been shown to be a type of chemical that may protect the body against some common health problems as well as certain effects of aging.  Polyphenols protect cells and body chemicals against damage that is caused by free radicals and block the action of enzymes that cancers need for growth, deactivating substances that promote the growth of cancer.  The increased consumption of polyphenols has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and potentially cancer and stroke. 

In Aztec culture, cocoa was one of the most highly prized due to its medicinal and stimulant value, along with its taste.  The polyphenols found in cocoa occur in a higher concentration than can be found in any other food.  They also have antioxidant activity much greater than those found in broccoli or red wine.  The catechins and procyanidins that are found in cocoa seem to lower the risk of cancer and heart disease.  Cocoa has also been proven in studies to reduce blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and slightly ameliorate the lipid profile.  Although cocoa is a healthy and tasteful food, it is high in caloric content and therefore, its ingestion must be accompanied by the careful reduction of calories from other sources. 

Many studies have shown that tea polyphenols can be extremely beneficial to human health, possessing anti-obesity, antihypertensive, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.  Tea is the world’s second most consumed beverage, although less popular in the Western diet.  Green tea and white tea retain more polyphenols in their intact form, as oolong and black teas undergo more extensive processing before they are marketed.  Tea polyphenols break down in high temperatures therefore; freshly brewed tea contains a higher amount of polyphenols per serving than do tea drinks that are canned or bottled. 

Similar to the blueberry, the black chokeberry is high in anthocyanins and powerful antioxidant activity.  It is native to eastern North America and has become popular in Eastern Europe and Russia due to its health-promoting potential.  This berry protects the liver from chemical poisoning and the stomach lining from ulcers.  It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, lowers harmful cholesterol levels, and prevents dangerous swings in blood pressure.  Some studies have shown that this berry seems to prevent the harmful mutations in cell cultures, regulates immune function of human white blood cell cultures, and suppressed the growth of human colon cancers.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, with 20 to 50 percent of people affected.  The average body contains only one teaspoon of iron, but this mineral is crucial in oxygen transportation throughout the bloodstream and into cells.  A lack of iron will starve the body of oxygen and energy, which cause the symptoms of iron deficiency to be fatigue, foggy thinking, irritability, headaches, and lethargy. 

A lot of athletes have inadequate iron intake, impairing their exercise performance as it decreases hemoglobin levels and the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the muscles while it increases the time that is needed to recover from exercise.  Iron is also important in immunity, with optimal iron intake strengthening the immune system and building resistance to colds, infections, and diseases.  Even though inadequate intake is a common concern, too much can also cause health problems including stomach and intestinal cramps, nausea, and constipation.     

The most important function of selenium is its antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.  This enzyme is invaluable in protecting red blood cells and cell membranes from free radical damage.  Selenium works closely with vitamin E, sometimes replacing it in certain situations.  Selenium holds an important role in maintaining the immune system and has been shown to reduce the risk of many health problems which include several types of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain birth defects.

Zinc is a valuable antioxidant that supports many aspects of the immune system.  Zinc works in the eyes to protect them against sunlight-related free radicals.  Zinc supplements have been found to slow the progression of macular degeneration, but high intakes of zinc and other antioxidants have been shown to lower the risk of developing this eye disease in the first place.  This mineral can reduce the severity and duration of the common cold when in lozenge form, if started within 24 hours of the first cold symptom and taken every couple of hours.  Taking 50mg of zinc daily or higher amounts for short periods of time is a good idea, but amounts over 150mg daily could cause metallic taste, stomach upset, or impair immune function.

Many modern diets contain extremely low amounts of silicon, especially since food processing removes much of the silicon.  Silicon improves the elasticity and suppleness to skin that has been damaged by excessive skin exposure.  Silicon is also important in natural bone formation, since deficiencies in silicon lead to bone weakness and sluggish wound health.  Bone mineral density can be improved in people with osteoporosis by raising the intake of silicon. 

Chromium is important in maintaining blood sugar levels, as well as many other roles in the body.  Chromium deficiency impairs the blood sugar-insulin relationship, while chromium supplementation improves insulin response.  Studies have shown that supplementing with chromium picolinate improves diabetes management by lowering blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, or triglyceride levels and reducing the reliance on blood sugar medications.  This mineral is also important in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.

Finally, Sulfur is needed in the joints to keep the connective tissues within them strong and stable.  One source of sulfur, MSM, has been shown to significantly relieve pain and improve use of knee joints in studies.  Through all of the above, one can see that Trace mineral supplements are extremely important contributors to health, even in small amounts.

Elderberry is the fruit of the elder tree that is native to Asia, Europe and North America.  They are found just about anywhere due to their tolerance for a wide range of climates and soil types, and are frequently found by river banks. There are a number of different types of elder, in both small tree and shrub form, and it is those with the black and blue berries that are useful medicinally, not those with red berries.  It is not only the berries that are used, but also the elder flowers. Elderflower wine has long been a favorite country wine, and the berries are used to make jam, pies and also drunk as juice.

Elder has been used for countless years for treating viral diseases such as influenza and colds, and it has also been found by some to be effective for the treatment of cold sores (herpes simplex).  Its effect on flu is thought to be that it prevents the virus from entering and infecting the body cells, but more on this later.   Historically, it has been used to promote the excretion of waste products through urination and sweating, which might be another reason why it is effective against colds and flu and some general respiratory problems.

The juice contains anthocyanins in the form of anthocyanidin-3-glycosides that appear to be very bioavailable to the body.  The anthocyanins are more easily absorbed than those of blackcurrant juice, and are very strong antioxidants. The antioxidant effect is reinforced by the presence of large quantities of vitamin C. This difference in bioavailability has been proved though the administration of both blackcurrant and elderberry juice to volunteers, and testing the presence of the anthocyanins in the urine. This is a measure of their bioavailability, or how easily they are absorbed by the body, and the greater this bioavailability, then the more effective is their antioxidant effect.

Separate studies have indicated that anthocyanins derived from berries in general, not just elderberry, can reduce oxidative stress due to age, and also to help brain function.  An improvement in the memory of the elderly has been seen to have improved after a course of berry juices rich in these powerful antioxidants. Elderberry antioxidants also improve the stability of LDL cholesterol by protecting against free radical oxidation, and thus helping to reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis that is promoted by the deposition of the oxidized LDL cholesterol on artery walls. This in turn helps to reduce the possibility of cardiovascular disease.

However, it is its effect on the immune system for which elderberry is generally studied by the medical professions.  Elderberry helps to boost the immune system predominantly through the production of cytokines.  To explain how these work, a quick summary of how part of the immune system works will first be necessary. 

When intrusion into the body by an antigen (foreign body) is detected, the initial response is the inflammatory response.  Chemical messengers called cytokines are released into the blood to inform the other parts of the immune system that an invader has been spotted.

The immediate effect is to increase the flow of blood to the affected part of the body by dilation of the blood vessels. The spaces between the cells in the vessel walls increase to allow the larger components of the immune system, such as the phagocytes that consume and destroy bacteria. Proteins also congregate and the temperature at the site rises to promote the reactions that the body uses to eject the invaders.  The tissue therefore swells due to all the extra fluid and gets hot. The area becomes painful due to the accumulation of material aggravating the nerves, and if there is an infection, pus will eventually be formed from the dead neutrophils used to kill the bacteria or virus.

There are many different types of cytokine, including those that initiate the inflammatory response and others that stop the immune response once the invader has been killed off. Other cytokines, such as the interferons, stop viruses from multiplying, and others take part in the response only to specific types of antigen.  Each cytokine has a specific message to pass to the relevant components of the immune system in order that the immune response is appropriate to the invasion concerned and does not overreact.  Hence, a grain of pollen in the nose will elicit a lesser response than a varicella antigen that leads to those horrible chickenpox pustules.

In general terms, cytokines give the immune system a kick start once an antigen is spotted. The elderberry anthocyanins produce predominantly inflammatory cytokines, but also one anti-inflammatory cytokine, and so helping to boost the inflammatory response.

Some viruses use what are known as spike proteins that mimic the molecules of their host in order to gain access to cells by binding to the target cell receptors. However, these spikes are easily recognized by the immune system, and the elderberry anthocyanins are active in promoting this recognition. For that reason, viruses vigorously continue to change and mutate to overcome this, one manifestation of their success in achieving this being in the annual infections of influenza that have overcome last year’s antibodies by means of this mutation.

The influenza virus contains what are known as hemagglutinin spikes on its surface which, when deactivated, cannot break through your cell walls, enter the cell and replicate, thus leading to influenza.  That is the mechanism by which the constituents of elderberries help to control influenza and reduce its effect on your body. If not deactivated, the spikes allow the virus to invade the cell and provoke the immune response that you know as the flu. 

Many such winter ailments have a similar mechanism, which is why, apart from its general health benefits through its high antioxidant content, that organic elderberry can boost the immune system in winter.

However, mediaeval remedies usually had a scientific basis because they generally worked, especially the herbal remedies.  For example, using willow bark for pain and reducing swelling. It was only later that willow was found to contain salicylic acid, the basis of aspirin. So it is with dandelion, and its use for blood and liver problems, as a diuretic, and to help with kidney disorders including kidney stones.

Dandelion Root and the Liver

Dandelion root has long been regarded as being a tonic for a ‘sluggish’ liver that was thought to be responsible for symptoms such as constipation, fatigue, boils and eye problems.  This is the origin of the term to look ‘liverish’. The liver was thought to be ‘congested’ in the way that a blocked nose could be congested. This has continued into the present day, when some believe that dandelion can be used to detox the liver and the gall bladder.

If you can find it, roasted dandelion root has a far better flavor than just simple powdered root, and makes a great tasting drink similar to coffee.  You can also use it as a tincture since the active ingredients are alcohol soluble. Dandelion makes a good detox after a hard night of partying, and will help the liver to work its way through all that alcohol processing it has to do. If you live in a polluted area you should take dandelion root regularly. The root is better for the liver than the leaves.

Although there is no real scientific proof for this, dandelion certainly appears to have some beneficial effects. Many of these old natural cures have since been found to have a genuine scientific base, and perhaps that of dandelion is yet to be determined. Initial studies have shown that dandelion does indeed increase the production of bile by the gall bladder, and improve its flow.  This is promoted by the sesquiterpenoid lactones eudesmanolide and germacranolide that are unique to dandelion.

Although the root is a rich source of vitamin A and of some metallic minerals, it is these bitter ingredients that give it its most desirable properties. Bile production and flow also stimulates the metabolism of fat and cholesterol into the body. Those suffering from alcohol abuse are recommended by modern herbalists to take dandelion root either in powder form or as a tincture.  The tincture is recommended since the active ingredients are alcohol soluble.

An increase in the liver metabolism will result in not only more efficient removal of toxins, but also an increase in free radical production, and the vitamin C and beta carotene content of dandelion leaves are ideal antioxidants to take care of these. Hence, while the root is a useful liver stimulant, the whole plane should be used for the maximum effect.

Dandelion Roots and Leaves as a Diuretic

Dandelion root is also an effective diuretic that many people swear by.  Not only is it effective in cases of swollen ankles and feet, but it does not deplete the body of potassium as most prescription diuretics can. Dandelion root is effective for several different conditions where a mild diuretic is indicated, such as in high blood pressure and digestion problems. The leaves can also be used as a diuretic, and many people swear by it even though clinical trials have been inconclusive. It is more than a placebo, as some physicians’ claim, since it is in wide spread use throughout the world for its diuretic effect.

The root and leaves are commonly used by women who frequently suffer from premenstrual water retention. The uncomfortable bloated feeling with the resultant increase in weight can be alleviated by drinking a tea made from the leaves, or by using powdered root. Dandelion contains a high level of potassium and also calcium phosphorus and iron, so the diuretic is well balanced nutritionally, especially with the vitamins A, B, C and D that dandelion also contains.

It is particularly rich in vitamin A and the leaves contain a high level of beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Synthetic diuretics tend to flush minerals from the body, and supplements are normally necessary when these are used. Dandelion, however, contains its own mineral and vitamin supplements.  

Dandelion and Your Kidneys

The diuretic effect of dandelion is beneficial to your kidneys, and there have been claims that it has even helped to dissolve kidney stones. However, anybody with kidney stones, or any other kidney ailment, is strongly advised to refer to their physician. Native Americans used dandelion as a diuretic and for kidney complaints.
Dandelion root promotes the regular functioning of your kidneys, and the minerals it contains are important to the urinary tract.  In fact there is a natural flow, if that word can be used, from the diuretic action that helps the body to eliminate excess fluids through the kidneys.  The kidneys filter out the harmful substances that are then passed to the liver for detoxification. This process is helped by dandelion root that promotes the flow of bile and improved the liver metabolism.
When to Collect Dandelion

Dandelion roots are normally at the height of its potency and most bitterness between June and September, and that is when they should be collected. You should dig them up when it is wet and easy to get the roots out whole.  Try not to break them. You should wash the roots, and cut off the leaves, making sure that you leave no scales at the top. 

The leaves are best taken when fresh and new, rather than from the adult plant. You can eat them fresh in a salad or dry them for use in a tea.

How to Use Dandelion

There are a number of ways in which you can use the dandelion roots and leaves. The roots can be dried and powdered, or roasted and made into a drink like coffee. You can also make a root tincture by cutting the root and infusing it in absolute alcohol or even vodka would do! The longer you leave the root in the alcohol the better it will be.  The active ingredients are soluble in alcohol. Use about 1 teaspoon of the powdered root or about 10ml of the tincture three times daily.

You can make a tea from a cup of boiling water and about 4 teaspoons of the fresh leaves or two of the dried leaves. Infuse for about 5 minutes and drink.

Dandelion roots and leaves have many medicinal uses, though the more common are connected with the liver, the kidneys and as a diuretic. It is stressed that you must refer to a qualified physician for advice on any medical problem, and that the benefits of dandelion have not been proved scientifically.  However, many people swear by them and never use any other diuretic.

Centuries of use cannot be wrong. This bitter herb can easily be dug up in the back yard or more conveniently taken as pills, powered or made into a tea from tea bags. Natural dandelion tea can be found at your local or internet health food store.

The acai berry contains millions of various antioxidants and vitamins that provide humans with a single food source rich in nutrients. These antioxidants are mostly flavonoids, which have been proven to work hard in searching for the reactive oxygen species that destroy cells and tissues and cause aging. Studies have also demonstrated that these flavonoids from the acai berry stop the free radicals that target the cells of the blood vessels to cause flow constriction and high pressure of the blood. These flavonoids also reduce the process of LDL oxidation to help maintain a healthy heart. Omega 6 and omega 9 found in acai berries also help in maintaining a good cholesterol ratio.

Acai antioxidants also include anthocyanins, which are the berry’s coloring material and act as a potent antioxidant at the same time. These anthocyanins, along with other antioxidants, search the cells for potentially harmful reactive oxygen species that cause skin and eye problems, dental health disorders, and urinary tract infections.

A lot of studies confirmed these acai antioxidants to be working in teams that help re-energize one another to work more effectively. Cell imbalance and death are the mains causes of aging. The antioxidants in acai work hard to promote good platelets that would help in wound repair and act to reduce inflammation. Because cell death is minimized, the process of aging is also effectively slowed down. Another good antioxidant is reservatrol, which also helps prevent cell aging.

Vitamin C, a naturally good antioxidant, acts on collagen cells to allow healthy hairs and cartilage to develop. Some of the acai antioxidants also help in boosting the body’s sustained energy and help stop fatigue. This is because the biochemical niacin helps produce adenosine triphosphate, which is the natural fuel that the cells need to go about with regeneration. The body’s other vitamin cycles can largely benefit from niacin, which also helps in producing coenzymes needed for energy production in the cells. Certain vitamin B antioxidants also hasten the conversion of carbohydrates to simple sugars that are necessary for the body’s energy storage.

More important benefits of these acai antioxidants have extended to the body’s neurological system. The reactive oxygen species that create problems in the nerve cells are mapped out to allow normal functioning of the neuronal transmission processes. Even bones have benefited from these antioxidants as these get markedly improved bone mineral density.

Truly, the acai berry works wonders in helping the body stay healthy.

First off Vitamin C has been studied as an aid in fighting cancer. One exciting, but preliminary study was performed on live cancer cells in a test tube environment. Scientists administered infusions of Vitamin C to a set of nine cancer cell cultures and four normal cell cultures. The cancer cells had a fifty percent decrease in survival rate, while the normal cells appeared to be unaffected. The vitamin C appeared to kill cancer cells in a laboratory environment. While this is promising it should be noted that this is not a study that was performed in humans and many things can be promising in the laboratory but some things just don’t work out in the real world trials.

Diabetics may be interested to know that Vitamin C is being studied as a way to increase the body’s receptiveness to insulin. The disease is partly characterized by the blood vessels inability to respond Nitric Oxide (NO) which is secreted by the walls of the blood vessel and encourage the muscles to relax increasing blood flow to the areas of the body. The vessel walls don’t relax and thus contribute to the body’s insulin resistance. It’s been confirmed that injections of vitamin C have been shown to improve vessel wall reaction to NO in diabetic patients. The new study is going to observe the effectiveness of oral vitamin C in Diabetic patients.

There were many, many studies performed to try and determine whether vitamin C can indeed prevent the common cold. In the seventies there were a series of trial run by a team headed by a Dr. Terrence Anderson at the University of Toronto. His studies found the same results as many other studies, that vitamin C though necessary in the body doesn’t prevent the common cold. It does seem to lessen the length of time you have a cold by half a day on average and there is no need to take really high doses to achieve this. It appears that you can get the same effect as a very high dosage of vitamin C in a higher than usual dosage of 250mg during a cold when the cold ends you should return to the recommended daily value of 60mg.

Since these studies came out many people began to worry that they weren\’t getting enough of the vitamin and began taking mega doses of vitamin E. While in some cases its certainly true that people need supplementation, such as pregnant or lactating women its not entirely necessary for the general population.
Vitamin E deficiency has never been proven in a healthy human. It\’s been shown in other species and in those with medical conditions that limit the body\’s ability to absorb Vitamin E. It may be possible to develop a deficiency if you maintain a very strict and limited low fat diet for a period of time, but other vitamin deficiencies will show up as well.
A deficiency can occur in people with an inability to absorb fat, because some fat is needed in the digestive tract for the absorption of vitamin E. Someone with a genetic abnormality in their alpha-tocopherol transfer protein will have a deficiency of vitamin E. Lastly premature babies will be deficient in the vitamin or low birth weight babies because of a poor vitamin E transfer from the mother via the placenta to the baby or in the case of preemies simply a lack of time to transfer the vitamin. A vitamin E deficiency also seems to be connected to Zinc deficiencies. The body may use zinc in absorbing or making use of vitamin E or the diet could be lacking in multiple vitamins and nutrients.

Other conditions that can result in a vitamin deficiency are various intestinal disorders. Those suffering from Crohn\’s disease often experience diarrhea and subsequent inability to absorb vitamins. If you lack the ability to secrete bile you may need a special form of water soluble vitamin E since bile helps with the absorption of fats in the digestive tract.

Some symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are sometimes nerve degenerations in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, eventual blindness. In infants you may notice irritability and edema. While adults can develop anemia, which is a lack of red blood cells, so you may notice fatigue, weakness, and paleness.

The problem with vitamin E deficiency is that anyone who develops it will likely have a disease that is the underlying cause, such as Crohn\’s disease or gallbladder problems. So before diagnosing yourself as having a vitamin E deficiency you should get to a doctor and have them take a look at you for a proper diagnosis. In many cases treatment of the disease will naturally stop the symptoms.

Vitamin E is widely known as an antiaging supplement and can be taken in pill or capsule form. It is also a key ingredient in many antiaging creams and lotions. As an antioxidant, Vitamin E helps combat free radicals, which work to damage your body’s cells. Vitamin E also acts as a moisturizer, tightening and restoring resilience in the skin. You can increase your body’s Vitamin E intake by eating dark leafy green vegetables, grains, seeds and nuts.

Another important antioxidant and antiaging supplement is Vitamin C. In addition to helping your body fight those nasty free radicals, it also helps to keep your skin cells rejuvenated. Vitamin C is found in high amounts in fruits and vegetables such as papayas, pineapples, cantaloupes, tomatoes, green peppers, and citrus fruits.

Recently there has been a greater awareness of the benefits of green tea as an antiaging supplement. Like vitamins C and E, green tea is extremely effective in combating free radicals. And, thanks to high levels of the antioxidant EGCG, green tea has actually been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells as well as help other medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Other Chinese teas, which also contain EGCG, do not possess the same medical benefits. This is because green tea goes through a steaming process which prevents the oxidation of the all-important EGCG.

The mangosteen fruit is a lesser known natural supplement that is highly touted as the “Queen of Fruits”. Scientific studies have revealed that this fruit is packed with antioxidants – more than any plant or vegetable in existence. Its high antioxidant content makes it ideal as an antiaging supplement. Mangosteen can also be taken for allergies, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol levels, inflammation, and viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.