Antioxidants are found in foods and produced in your body. They help defend your cells from free radicals. Without antioxidants, harmful molecules build-up, leading to cellular damage (oxidative stress).
Lifestyle habits, such as alcohol and tobacco use, and environmental air pollution contribute to the degeneration of cells, proteins, and DNA. Free radicals expedite the body’s aging process, and conditions like heart disease, lung infection, and cancer are more likely to crop up.
Pulmonary oxidant stress can result in acute breathing problems, lung infections, inflammation, and other symptoms of pulmonary distress.
A diet rich in antioxidants is one way to build up your defenses. Vitamins C and E are powerhouses of nutrition. Upping your intake of these foods is a great start to supporting a healthy respiratory system.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that is easily absorbed into the body and mobilizes quickly for immediate use. If you enjoy fruit, try sampling oranges, kiwis, lemons, guavas, grapefruit, watermelons, cantaloupe, mango, and pineapple.
Your vegetable options are just as varied. If you prefer hearty, fibrous, cruciferous veggies, opt for red and green cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, bok choy, garden cress, and savoy cabbage. Or, you can try leafy greens like mustard, collard, kale, turnip greens, and spinach. Tomatoes, red peppers, yams, and sweet potatoes also provide significant amounts of vitamin C power.
Vitamin C can’t be produced by the body and isn’t stored for future use. Whatever the body doesn’t use gets excreted, so replenish.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that sticks with you longer. It is stored in fat cells and the liver. While complimentary, this vitamin becomes counterproductive when consumed in large amounts.
Use wheat germ oil. Eat salmon, avocado, trout, mango, turnip greens, and kiwis. Munch on a handful of sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, Brazil nuts, and cashew nuts. A small handful of seeds and nuts are enough to derive nutritional benefits as they are chock full of antioxidants. Dry roasting them on a hot pan for a minute or two gives them a little extra flavor.
These are some foods that charge your body with antioxidants. If you want to find more options, you’ll know them by their bright colors and variations. There are some darker foods and drinks that contain antioxidants. Red wine, black tea, dark chocolate, blackberries, cherries, and green tea all have an antioxidant called catechins.
With the variety of foods laden with rich antioxidants, enjoying your food while supporting your lung health is easy. For assistance in identifying nutrients that will best address your health concerns, talk to a practitioner of acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Dr. Mindy Boxer is a holistic practitioner who has grown into her specialties in an organic way. Understanding a range of disciplines allows her to integrate the wisdom of Ancient healing in combination with the most recent innovations in Scientific research. This dynamic blend has enabled Dr. Boxer to help patients in the prevention and treatment of disease for over 25 years.
Dr. Boxer has a particularly keen understanding of Women’s Health issues including Gynecological irregularity, PMS, Fertility, IUI & UVF support, Healthy Pregnancy & Delivery, and Menopausal issues. Her interest in the human body as a dynamic system has given her the understanding to deal with such problems as improper Digestion and elimination, Cancer Support, Allergies, back pain, tight neck and shoulders, carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory distress, chronic fatigue, Insomnia, Stress, Anxiety and Depression.
She has also studied the art and science of Homeopathy, earning her Diplomate in Homeopathy from the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy in 1995. This allows her to treat the whole person — physically, mentally, emotionally.
Proper Nutrition, Herbs, Acupuncture, and Homeopathic remedies are the tools Dr. Boxer utilizes to allow the body to heal itself and find its way back to balance. She is dedicated to helping her patients find “Radiant Health and Well-Being.”