What’s up Doc? Carrots for longer, healthier life.
Carrots could well be the best weapon you have in your fight against aging. Rich in carotenoids, carrot are just one source this important nutrient that is one of a widespread family of plant pigments found mostly in vegetables (and some fruits) that are red, orange, and deep yellow in color. Sea animals with a red or pinkish color, such as salmon, lobster, shrimp and crab also contain a carotenoid named astaxanthin that they absorb from the algae in their diets.
You have to consider what carotenoids do for plants in order to understand how they can benefit you. Carotenoid protects plant cells from ultraviolet sunlight. When you eat these vegetables, you get the same antioxidant benefits. These powerful anti-aging antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Scientists have identified more than 700 individual carotenoids that work in combination with each other and with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, lipoic acid, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and glutathione peroxidase.
A diet rich in carotenoids will give you:
• enhanced function of the immune system
• better cardiovascular health
• increased strength and endurance
• decreased recovery time from exercise
• reduced pain and inflammation and better joint function
• relief from carpal tunnel and repetitive-stress injuries
• relief from symptoms of both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis
• improved prostate function and prevent prostate cancer
• prevention and relief from symptoms of diabetes
• healthier eyesight
• prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration
• protection against UV radiation from the sun
• beneficial effect on male and female fertility
• prevent cancer
• To get these benefits, you need to eat from two to four servings at every meal. Sources of carotenoids include:
• Chinese Herbal Medicines: Some of the richest sources of carotenoids are found in these Chinese Herbal Medicines: Lycium barbarum fruit, Gou Qui Zi (commonly known as Goji Berry,), Schizandra Chinensis Fruit, Wu Wei Zi Sea Buckthorn Fruit and Sha Ji (Hippophae rhamnoides).
• Vegetables and Herbs: Sources of carotenoids include carrots, spinach, kale, Broccoli, swiss chard, red and green bell peppers, chili peppers, collard greens, asparagus, winter squash, yams, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, parsley, dark green and red lettuces, basil, oregano, rosemary, dill, mint, sage, tarragon and coriander.
• Fruits and Spices: Apricots, peaches, cantaloupe, yellow-orange flesh melons, mango, guava, papaya, watermelon, persimmons, grapefruit, tumeric, saffron, Nasturtium flowers and cinnamon will all give you a healthy dose of carotenoids.
•
Carotenes are absorbed much better when you eat them with fats, since they are transported through your bloodstream by your LDL-cholesterol. Cooking vegetables also loosens the carotene from the fiber of the vegetable and greatly increases the amount available to your body. Some are found in only a few foods making it easy to miss out on one if you don't eat a varied-enough diet.
Carrots could well be the best weapon you have in your fight against aging. Rich in carotenoids, carrot are just one source this important nutrient that is one of a widespread family of plant pigments found mostly in vegetables (and some fruits) that are red, orange, and deep yellow in color. Sea animals with a red or pinkish color, such as salmon, lobster, shrimp and crab also contain a carotenoid named astaxanthin that they absorb from the algae in their diets.
You have to consider what carotenoids do for plants in order to understand how they can benefit you. Carotenoid protects plant cells from ultraviolet sunlight. When you eat these vegetables, you get the same antioxidant benefits. These powerful anti-aging antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Scientists have identified more than 700 individual carotenoids that work in combination with each other and with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, lipoic acid, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and glutathione peroxidase.
A diet rich in carotenoids will give you:
• enhanced function of the immune system
• better cardiovascular health
• increased strength and endurance
• decreased recovery time from exercise
• reduced pain and inflammation and better joint function
• relief from carpal tunnel and repetitive-stress injuries
• relief from symptoms of both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis
• improved prostate function and prevent prostate cancer
• prevention and relief from symptoms of diabetes
• healthier eyesight
• prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration
• protection against UV radiation from the sun
• beneficial effect on male and female fertility
• prevent cancer
• To get these benefits, you need to eat from two to four servings at every meal. Sources of carotenoids include:
• Chinese Herbal Medicines: Some of the richest sources of carotenoids are found in these Chinese Herbal Medicines: Lycium barbarum fruit, Gou Qui Zi (commonly known as Goji Berry,), Schizandra Chinensis Fruit, Wu Wei Zi Sea Buckthorn Fruit and Sha Ji (Hippophae rhamnoides).
• Vegetables and Herbs: Sources of carotenoids include carrots, spinach, kale, Broccoli, swiss chard, red and green bell peppers, chili peppers, collard greens, asparagus, winter squash, yams, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, parsley, dark green and red lettuces, basil, oregano, rosemary, dill, mint, sage, tarragon and coriander.
• Fruits and Spices: Apricots, peaches, cantaloupe, yellow-orange flesh melons, mango, guava, papaya, watermelon, persimmons, grapefruit, tumeric, saffron, Nasturtium flowers and cinnamon will all give you a healthy dose of carotenoids.
•
Carotenes are absorbed much better when you eat them with fats, since they are transported through your bloodstream by your LDL-cholesterol. Cooking vegetables also loosens the carotene from the fiber of the vegetable and greatly increases the amount available to your body. Some are found in only a few foods making it easy to miss out on one if you don't eat a varied-enough diet.
