How does my cell protect against damaging Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) such as Free Radicals?
The protective mechanisms in your cell include enzymes that disable the free radicals, such as superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. These enzymes require nutrients like the minerals manganese, selenium, and copper, which are present in whole grains. Glutathione is a very important molecule that can destroy free radicals, and it can be obtained directly from the diet, or can be made in your body from nutrients in the diet like the amino acid glycine, and the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine, which are present in a variety of foods, such as broccoli, garlic and cauliflower. The enzymes involved in energy metabolism also require minerals, like iron, magnesium, copper, selenium, and manganese, which can be obtained from whole foods and vegetables. Antioxidants are dietary compounds that directly bind to and destroy (quench) free radicals that are oxidants. Much research has shown that green tea is protective against many types of cancer, and the active ingredients in gree
