Q:  Latey I have been hearing more and more about toxins and the benefits of antioxidants. Should I take a supplement, or are there foods that I can eat that will give me the antioxidants I need. FYI - I prefer food!

Amy M.

A: Amy, I prefer food too! Yes, in today’s living environment there are more and more toxins coming into our body in the foods we eat and the air we breathe. While these toxins may not make us “feel” different today, the toll they take on our body over a period of time can be quite dramatic and effect us in various ways.

Researchers at Tufts University in Boston have come up with a way to calculate the antioxidant properties of fruits and vegetables.

Antioxidants are believed to provide a protective effect against conditions such as heart disease and cancer by interfering with the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are also believed to help retard the aging process.

The seven foods listed below provide additional individual benefits as well. Prunes, for example, are frequently used to relieve constipation, while spinach may be helpful in avoiding memory loss and staving off Alzheimer’s.

I urge my clients to not only eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, but to choose nutrient-rich sources such as these:

• Prunes
• Raisins
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Kale
• Strawberries
• Spinach

If you can incorporate these fruits and vegetables into your daily habit – you can avoid taking a supplement. If not, there are many supplements to chose from that will help you as well.

Sincerely,
Tony Magden – Fitness Together Trainer
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