John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

One of my favourite cricketers is the Indian batsman Rahul Dravid. His nickname is ‘The Wall'. His defence is so good he seems to be impenetrable, even to world class bowling. Our bodies likewise have a potential defence wall.

he most important parts are our antioxidant and immune systems. When antioxidant systems fail, free radicals damage cell components, affecting cell function and is the first cause of most chronic disease.

Pick any disease you like and you will see antioxidant system failures. CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is characterised by high levels of nitrogen radicals which interfere with our body's ability to create energy. Coronary Artery Disease starts with free radicals damaging trapped cholesterol particles, setting of an inflammatory process that result in plaques forming. Osteoarthritis is essentially caused by free radicals damaging cartilage cells.

Our antioxidant defence systems are complex. There are two main types; those we make ourselves and those we get directly from food or supplements.

The first line of defence are three enzymes we make ourselves. Excess free radicals are dismantled by these enzymes, but here is the most important nutritional fact: These enzymes are constructed from trace minerals we should get from diet or supplements. Those of greatest importance are selenium, zinc, copper, manganese and iron, but others play a role. Obtaining sufficient of these from diet is very difficult and this is the benefit of well formulated supplements that contain major minerals, main trace elements and the numerous rare minerals found in salt water. The best combine these with multi-vitamins and broad spectrum antioxidants.

The second line of defence are the antioxidants we get from foods including some vitamins, especially C and E and potent biologically active compounds including OPCs, green tea catechins and those found in dark berries. These disable free radicals that escape the enzyme systems and are like the final mop of a dirty floor. The benefit of well formulated supplements is they can select the most active and important while boosting levels dictated by individual health status.

If you are unwell you need to address these defence systems and the only way is through targeted nutrition, including well formulated supplements and you may well join the thousands of Kiwi's benefiting from antioxidant therapy. Give me a call if you need some guidance.

To contact John phone 0800 423559 or visit www.johnarts.co.nz.