Antioxidant Fruits Fight Disease While Building Up Collogen
Blueberries , Acai Berries, Cherries, Pomegranates
It is a biological paradox that we breath in oxygen; our cells require it for metabolic energy, however, like the exhaust smoke that comes out of your car, the oxygen is broken into poisonous by-products call oxidants that poison the body unless is is broken down by “antioxidants”. Antioxidants can both prevent the formation of these oxygen radicals as well as or dispose of their waste.
It appears that people who eat fruits and vegetables, which happen to be good sources of antioxidants, have a lower risk of some cardiac and neurological diseases, and even some types of cancer. Other diseases which appear to be protected by antioxidants include macular degeneration, immune deficiency diseases, and neurodegeneration.
Some Well Known Examples of Antioxidants include:
- – Vitamin E
- – Vitamin C
- – Melatonin
Antioxidants also appear to increase collagen production and improve the quality of the collogen that already exists. Collagen can be thought of as the resilient shell that surrounds the cells in our skin and organs. With respect to aging, as the collagen breaks down, the skin loses its strength and elasticity— leading to loose skin and wrinkles. Antioxidants theoretically increase collagen production and thicken the skin, making you look younger and healthier.
Collagen production unfortunately decreases with the aging process. However, through a healthy diet of dark fruits which typically are rich in antioxidants, we can fight some of the effects of the aging process. Fruits like blood oranges, cherries, blueberries and the acai berry are full of antioxidants which may which may slow aging and disease by lowering inflammation. Antioxidants also decrease the severity of rosacea.
At Aesthetica, I hightly encourage my patients whether they are coming fin for a tummy tuck or a facelift to eat healthy. I believe that antioxidants have the ability to decrease inflammation and speed up the healing process by increasing collagen production. I believe a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle goes far beyond what I can do surgically. The longer you look good, the better I look to you your peers.
Other examples of Antioxidant Fruits include:
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Plums
- Pomegranates
- Asian Dragon Fruit
- Kiwis
Blog By Dr. Phillip Chang, MD: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with offices Loudoun, Winchester, and Fairfax Virginia
