| "Rust-proofing our Bodies" | | | | confirmed what natural therapists and vets have |
| Antioxidants, an essential utensil in our anti-ageing tool | | | | known for decades: that over 70 percent of the |
| box. | | | | Australian population are micronutrient-malnourished. |
| What makes the difference between average health | | | | Regardless of body weight, the average Australian |
| and optimal health? The answer lies not in the genetic | | | | on an average Australian diet (the traditional meat |
| blueprint of your family tree, but in our body's ability | | | | and three veggies for dinner) is lacking in at least one |
| to be well nourished and rustproofed's. | | | | or more essential nutrients, in particular the |
| Our three top killers in the developed world are | | | | antioxidant group of nutrients. |
| cardiovascular disease (encompassing heart attack | | | | The cause for this is clear. In 1992 a World Health |
| and stroke), cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes. Your risk | | | | Organisation survey reported that Australian soils are |
| of developing any of these diseases has been | | | | the most mineral and vitamin deficient of all the soils |
| proven to be directly related to the amount of | | | | of the world's continents. It makes commonsense |
| antioxidants your diet provides. | | | | that the fruit, vegetables and grains cultivated on |
| Antioxidants found in food protect our cells against | | | | these soils are also lacking in the nutrients required |
| the damage done by free radicals, known as | | | | for optimal human health. Our vets regularly provide |
| oxidative stress. | | | | supplements for cattle, sheep and horses to prevent |
| Damage is particularly intense in the powerhouse of | | | | and treat nutritional deficiencies, but the medical |
| our cells known as the mitochondria. Free radicals are | | | | profession has been kept in the dark about these |
| unbound oxygen molecules that bombard and | | | | facts for years. |
| damage our cells and capillaries. Recent research | | | | How to Assess your Risk of Oxidative Stress |
| indicates that poorly nourished cells are more | | | | Live blood analysis is a useful health practitioner tool. |
| vulnerable to oxidative stress and have a higher | | | | This can instantly confirm the cellular consequences |
| requirement for antioxidant-rich food and | | | | of poor diet, oxidative stress, by examining a droplet |
| supplements. This creates a double insult, with poor | | | | of fresh blood under a microscope. These damaged |
| nutrition leading to micro-malnourished, vulnerable cells | | | | cells look somewhat like a dried up sultana on live |
| and an increased need for antioxidant protection in | | | | blood analysis. Compare this to a healthy hydrated |
| the presence of a diet inadequate for optimal health. | | | | cell, full of antioxidants, which looks like a luscious, |
| Most natural therapists will be aware of the | | | | full-bodied grape. |
| importance of antioxidants for skin health, | | | | The most important defence we have against |
| rejuvenation, collagen production and the prevention | | | | unfavourable environmental chemicals and our major |
| of skin cancers. More importantly, antioxidants forge | | | | health challenges is a well nourished body. Sensible |
| a resilient barrier of protection to cells undergoing | | | | supplementation is essential for optimal health when |
| renewal. It is at this time of cell division that the | | | | deficiencies are suspected. Plant extracted organic |
| mistakes in genetic messages may lead to | | | | supplements, with high ORAC scores and phenolic |
| uncontrolled growth which we call cancer. | | | | content are preferred, together with a balanced |
| Incredibly, medical research has only recently | | | | organic diet and a healthy bowel. |