Antioxidants and Free Radicals
We’ve all heard of antioxidants. The term is used regularly in the news, in health and wellness literature, and, maybe, even by your medical provider. Most of us are familiar with the idea that antioxidants help fight free radicals, which can cause a kind of stress within your body called oxidative stress. This stress creates damage to the cells, which is thought to precipitate illnesses like:
- Diabetes
- Some cancers
- Heart disease
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s disease
Free radicals are abundantly spread throughout our bodies. While they can result from environmental stressors like smoking, they are also a natural part of our body’s function. Antioxidants are our body’s defense mechanism against free radicals.
Where do Antioxidants Come From?
Some antioxidants come from food. To detail that process in its simplest form, some examples of food-related antioxidants are:
- Oranges provide vitamin C
- Apples provide quercetin
- Tomatoes contain lycopene
- Cocoa contains flavanols
Each of these antioxidants come from a source outside our bodies. When our bodies use one of these antioxidants to neutralize free radicals, food sources replenish them. Our bodies create antioxidants, too, including the antioxidant glutathione.
All About Glutathione
Glutathione is a powerhouse within the body. It acts almost like a combatant molecule because it forces free radicals to turn off, minimizing the damage they can do to cells. Glutathione is crucial to turning off that oxidative stress that damages cells, causes aging, and creates disease.
Glutathione has been shown to be related to good health as we age. High levels of glutathione are present in those who are in good physical and mental health as they enter into the later years of their lives. It is a dynamic element of maintaining one’s well-being and one that isn’t commonly known about.
Can You Increase Your Glutathione Level?
The good news is, yes! Although it’s created by the body, there are glutathione supplements available in several different forms. Glutathione can be administered orally, intravenously (through an IV), or through an injection. Vallee Health Repair, LLC in Quincy, IL provides glutathione via iv therapy or injection.
Oral medications can be effective, but it takes longer for your body to optimize the benefits of them. When administered through IV or injection, glutathione bypasses the need for your body to break down the antioxidant through the digestive process so your body receives its benefits quickly.
Why Vallee Health Repair?
Vallee Health Repair, LLC is committed to supporting you while you optimize your health. Combining traditional and integrative medical practices allows us to support you with the best of both worlds: traditional medical care and its strengths and complementary health services which help create the best quality for your life.
Tasha Vallee, FNP-BC, FPA, is a certified, licensed, and credentialed family nurse practitioner in the state of Illinois. She provides individualized care to all of her patients. Tasha has practiced medicine in very rural settings as well as in a busy urgent care. The diversity of her experience enables her to embrace a variety of patients and their needs in a skillful, compassionate manner.
Tasha can be reached at (217) 577-2992 or vhrillinois@gmail.com to help you boost your health and vitality. She looks forward to supporting you.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.