Introduction
If one studies Hindu mythology (parables, actually) a little closely, almost all these stories are about cycles of destruction and creation. The same is true of nature and the lives of humans as well, which also goes through constant cycles of creation and destruction and to put it more explicitly, birth and death and their ability to do good despite the circumstances.
And the study of Chemistry is no different with most reactions falling into two types, oxidation (creation) and reaction (destruction) and with the proof that there exists a connection between biology (which is the study of our body) and chemistry, the principle of oxidation and reaction also occurs in our body as well.
Only this time, these two reactions cannot be viewed remotely (as in Chemistry) but impacts us directly not seemingly for the best in terms of our health when these reactions occur, thus giving rise to the medical condition of oxidative stress.
Oxidative Stress
As we all know that our body uses oxygen that is assimilated from every breath that we take. The body reacts with the oxygen to produce energy so that the cells can use them for normal functioning.
As a result of this oxidative process, free radicals are formed. For those who aren't sure what free radicals are, it is an 'free' atom, molecule or ion that carries charge and in the case of our body, is considered harmful.
Since these reactions of reduction occur all the time, the process is considered normal by the body, as the body prepares antioxidants to neutralize these free radicals.
However, there's a catch… the body does not make enough antioxidants to neutralize these free radicals and so the free radicals that remain cause oxidative damage to proteins, membranes and genes in our body's cells.
And if that's not enough, factors like pollution, smoking and sunlight can increase the amount of free radicals in the body, and are attributed to cause diseases such as Parkinson's disease, heart failure, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, Alzheimer's disease, fragile X and chronic fatigue syndrome.
So it is important to generate enough antioxidants which is done by maintaining a diet that is rich in these substances.
Managing Oxidative Stress successfully
Research has shown that foods rich in antioxidants protect one from cancers and heart disease, and in this case, can completely eliminate the damage caused by these free radicals. So here is a list of foods that are the richest sources in antioxidant:
1) Fruit
Berries such as the strawberry, raspberry, crowberry, blueberry, black currant, blackberry, cherry and bilberry. Other fruits include red grapes, oranges, pomegranates, plums, pineapples, grapefruit and the kiwifruit.
2) Vegetables
Red beets, ginger, lemon, spinach, Brussels sprouts, artichoke, parsley, peppers, red cabbage, chili peppers, tomatoes, broccoli,carrots, garlic
3) Dry fruit
Dates, prunes and apricots
4) Legumes
Soybeans, pinto beans and broad beans
5) Nuts and seeds
Walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, ground nuts and sunflower seeds.
6) Spices
Oregano, cinnamon and cloves
7) Cereals
Corn, oats, millets and barley
8) Other
Green tea, red wine and dark chocolate
In Closing
The bottom line being that these cycles of destruction and creation, birth and death will continue to exist but how we take care of ourselves in the midst of these cycles normally distinguish the healthy from the ones who end up struggling with disease down the line. And that is why Hinduism, as a way of life, emphasizes that no matter what, your ability to 'do good' overrides everything… yes, even in the worst times as well.
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