John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

Free radicals are produced as a by-product of energy conversion in our cell engines, our amazing mitochondria. If left unchecked they wreak havoc with our cells and body structures. Antioxidants are compounds that can donate electrons to free radicals so they become stable and not cause damage. Our antioxidant defences are multi-layered. These include the antioxidant vitamins C and E, some antioxidant enzymes we produce ourselves, other compounds we produce such as coenzyme Q10, and a vast range of phytonutrients we get from food.

Vitamin C is important in maintaining structures built from the collagen, including the walls of our blood vessels. Most of our vitamin C needs are readily obtained from fruit and vegetables. The main reason people should supplement though is to maintain the health of your blood vessels and skin. I recommend most people to supplement with 250-500mg but twice this dose for those with circulatory problems and hypertension. Your daily multi should have about 200mg.

Vitamin E is the universal fat soluble antioxidant and is founds in nuts, seeds and plant oils such as sunflower, almonds and olives. Its main role is to protect the fat-based structures and compounds such as preventing cholesterol oxidation – the first step in coronary artery plaque formation. I recommend at least 100IU from a daily supplement and 200- 400IU for those with common heart problems, or high cholesterol. A good multi-vitamin should have these levels of vitamin E.

Vitamin C is generally easy to get from diet but getting enough vitamin E, without overloading dietary fats is more of a challenge. Supplementation, of course, makes getting sufficient doses very easy, but as always everything starts with a good diet. Give me a call if you need more information. To join my weekly newsletter go to: www.johnarts.co.nz and visit: www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to: www.sunlive.co.nz