It is important to understand the role that free radicals play in the body.
As you read in, “What Your Blue Corn Tortilla Chips Are Not Saying...,” “Free radicals are unstable molecules that create inflammation in the body. If not counteracted by antioxidants, they can cause serious damage by irritating and breaking down the body’s tissue.”
Free-radicals are actually a normal by-product of metabolism. They are generated in the body, by both chemical and enzymatic reactions. They are also generated in the metabolism of fats. In other words, free-radicals are an everyday occurrence. Period.
The body, the forever clever, and protective mechanism, that it is, produces antioxidants to counteract the effects of these little troublemakers. So what is the big deal then?
Excess.
The EXCESS of free radicals, cause the problems.
Foods like, potato chips, chicken fingers, french fries, hydrogenated products, chemicals (environmental and food additives), etc. all lend a giant helping hand in the creation of excess free radicals in the body.
In addition, stress of all shapes and sizes, increases free-radical formation in the body. This includes aerobic exercise.
Exercise, of course, has its many benefits, as it increases the circulation of oxygen throughout the body. The point of this article is not to discuss the benefits, or drawbacks, of exercise. What is important to understand is the exercise mentality many a gym-goer holds (and I used to be one of them).
I am speaking loosely here, but it is often assumed that as long as the body is burning calories, and the body is lean and mean, then one can consume whatever it is they like.
I have come across many a fit individual, that come a certain age, starts to drastically age. This can be attributed to a number of things. First of all, exercise to the point of exhaustion lends itself to acid buildup in the tissues. It also places extra stress on the body. Stress, of course, leads to the increase of free radicals in the body.
Working out is not the solution to a poor diet. A poor diet, especially one high in cooked fats, processed and fried foods, and animals proteins, is not only is acid-forming, but as mentioned numerous times throughout this article– generates an excess of free radicals.
In addition, a “gym-goers” diet that reduces healthy raw fats, like avocados, coconuts and cold-pressed oils, and one that instead stresses lean proteins, like grilled chicken, and meatless protein meals, like bars and shakes, will not nourish the body. In the short term, protein rich diets and extreme exercise, may grant the determined individual a sculpted body, but undoubtedly it will create stress on the body (and a whole slew of ailments*) without the addition of raw fats, greens, etc. I should also point out that the allotted proportion of the foods I have deemed “healthy,” (i.e. greens, avocados, fruits & veggies)– should far outweigh the proportion of high “protein” products, for optimal health.
On the other hand, an individual that focuses on wholesome foods like, nourishing raw fats, greens, vegetables, etc., will find that their body will be naturally lean, their skin effortlessly young and radiant, and their overall well-being, to be envied. See My Philosophy on nutrition and food combining.
*I also want to mention that a diet that is overly acid and rich in animal protein can cause hair loss.
What kind of excercise do you recommend? How do you know you are overworking or stressing your body too much?
I think it really varies for everyone. Lifting is great, as is running– but running can really hurt the joints. I prefer the eliptical. I try to get in about 25-30 minutes of “moderate” eliptical time 6x times a week. One example of stressing the body is when the foods you are putting in the body are not nutrient dense, or are high in “unhealthy” proteins (like lots of animal flesh, animal products, un-plant based: protein bars and shakes…) and then doing an intense workout like spin. This causes the heart to work overtime. I think one of the points I was trying to make here is that exercise is something that should be done in addition to a healthy diet, not to make up for an unhealthy diet. Also, if the body is not getting sufficient amounts of alkalizing sleep, and one is working out… that too is putting a negative stress on the body. Working out is WONDERFUL, you just have to find the right balance for you.
Awesome, makes sense! I never thought of it this way.. but I like it! In the past month i have cut down the animal protein in my diet to about 3/4 of what i was eating… (I’m saving a ton of money) and i feel sooo much better… thanks to you! Do you think weightlifting does “thicken up” women… Or is the diet the cause for looking kinda bulky?
Diet! When I think of a bulky muscle man, I ultimately think of the expression– “meat head.”
What a great article! My dad mentioned today that I should cut down my work out rotine to 4 times a week, and do moderate exercise in those days because of the risk of cancer caused by the release of free radicals in the body. I work out early in the morning, 5:30 AM, between lifting and cardio. Could it be the cause of my low level of iron on the body and hair loss? I will definetly spend more time in the kitchen preparing healthy food and cut down the time I spend at the gym! Is peanut butter a good source or protein? Any other ideas to get out of the chicken and meat ? Thank you !
Working out is wonderful for the body, so it would truly depend on how you are defining “working out.” To say that you need to enjoy moderate exercise vs. a real heart pumping work-out 4x times a week because it would put you at risk for cancer would be a bit extreme for my taste.
Peanuts on the other hand, I would be more concerned about. Check out this article: http://diaryofanutritionist.com/2010/08/12/the-nut-rules-what-you-should-know-about-nuts/
Protein:
All plants contain protein (amino acids) so getting in your daily greens and veggies will certainly provide you with high quality protein.
Quinoa is a good source of protein, as are avocados, and if you want to get into the nut/seed category, raw sunflower seeds, raw almonds, raw young thai coconut (and it’s butter).
As for low iron, that could come from a number of external factors, diet, exercise, any medications you may be on… etc. Hair loss can be associated with too much animal flesh products, too much exercise, poor diet, stress, etc.
I hope this gives you something to start with.