You have probably already heard that antioxidants are helpful, but in what way are they helpful to you and why should you include antioxidant rich foods in your diet?
Antioxidants help to protect your body from free radicals, which can be damaging to you. Free radicals are generated naturally as a by-product of your body or externally from pollutants in the environment.
Research has revealed that antioxidants help to prevent or manage certain medical conditions including cancer and for that reason, play an important role during cancer treatment. Dr. Sant Chawla and his team at the Sarcoma Oncology Center encourage patients to incorporate alternative health practices such as nutrition along with traditional medicine. Following a diet rich in antioxidants can be one of them. But don’t reach for the medicine cabinet for your antioxidant boost, medical experts including oncologist Dr. Chawla recommend getting the nutrient naturally from foods and not supplements.
Identifying Antioxidant Rich Foods
The body better assimilates antioxidants naturally, but it’s important to know that any benefit derived from antioxidants depends on how your body absorbs and utilizes the food.
Examples of antioxidants include vitamins C and E and minerals such as flavonoids and beta-carotene. Doctors caution against high doses of supplements which can do more harm than good. They recommend getting the nutrient naturally by incorporating seven to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Food color is generally a good indicator of the type of antioxidant a food can contain:
- Beta-carotene – orange-colored foods, such as sweet potatoes, carrots and pumpkin.
- Lutein – green-colored foods, including spinach, kale, and turnip greens.
Some of the foods highest in antioxidants include fruits, such as blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries while artichokes, russet potatoes and beans, particularly kidney, black, red, and pinto, are among the highest for vegetables.
Physicians like Dr. Chawla and Dr. Sankhala of the Sarcoma Oncology Center agree that it’s important to consult your doctor before you change your health routine. Whether or not you are being treated for cancer, you want to make sure that any change, even good ones, must be approved by your doctor first.
Our Specialists Can Help You
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and seek advice from one of the most esteemed oncologists, contact the Sarcoma Oncology Center. The center’s doctors are internationally known for their expertise in sarcoma diagnosis and treatment. We would like to help you. Call us today at 310-552-9999 to schedule a consultation.
