Antioxidants are nutrients that occur naturally in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea, wine, and chocolate. Some common antioxidants you have probably heard about are flavanols (found in chocolate), resveratrol (found in red wine), and lycopene (found in tomatoes). Vitamins A (beta-carotene), C, and E, are also well-known antioxidants.
Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by oxidants — free radicals found in the environment — and also naturally produced by your body. In small amounts, oxidants help your body fend off viruses and microbes, but when you have too many, they can damage cells and contribute to cancer and heart disease. Oxidants can become elevated from exposure to environmental toxins like air pollution, cigarette smoke, and alcohol.
Best Sources of Antioxidants
Your body produces its own natural antioxidants, including Glutathione and Selenium, but you can also absorb antioxidants through food. Increasing the amount of antioxidants in your body can help keep your cells healthy and reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases.
Four ways to get more antioxidants include:
- Diet: Many plant-based foods are rich in antioxidants, including berries, cherries, apples, dark chocolate, legumes, tea and coffee. Regularly consuming these foods in their raw form can significantly boost your antioxidant levels. Cooking some foods in high heat can reduce antioxidant levels. If you regularly eat fast or processed food, or if you are on a restricted calorie diet, you may be antioxidant deficient.
- Oral Supplements: High-quality oral supplements can satisfy some of your body’s antioxidant needs. However, pills must be broken down and absorbed in your digestive tract before your body can use them. Many supplements are only partially absorbed during digestion, and some may pass right through your body without being broken down. Over-consumption of a single antioxidant can throw your system out of balance and prevent antioxidants from effectively fighting free radicals.
- Transdermal Absorption: Many beauty creams and lotions contain antioxidants, which can be absorbed through your skin. However, labels can be deceiving, and it is impossible to tell whether the dose of antioxidants in a topical cream is enough to do much good.
- IV Infusion: IV infusion therapy is becoming an increasingly popular way to get antioxidants and other micronutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. IV infusion therapy is highly efficient, and can be customized to meet your body’s needs. Because IV therapy bypasses your digestive tract, every drop is made available as soon as it enters your bloodstream.
Antioxidant IV Therapy in NYC
Living in the city exposes you to high levels of oxidants from air pollution, cigarette smoke and other environmental toxins. Urban living is also often stressful, increasing your need for antioxidant protection. Lucky for you, help is just around the corner at Advanced Cryo NYC. Contact us today to schedule your antioxidant IV therapy session, and protect your cells from free radical damage.
