Natural Ways to Boost One of the Body’s Most Powerful Antioxidants

Lean protein, especially complete proteins found in quinoa and animal products, are important sources of antioxidants. (Ekaterina Kondratova/Shutterstock)

One of your body’s most significant defenses against aging is antioxidants. These valuable compounds help protect your cells from oxidative stress so they can maintain health and efficiency.

Most antioxidants come from the food you eat. Some powerful ones, however, are made naturally in the body. But with age, like many other functions, this antioxidant production can slow down and leave cells more susceptible to harmful free radicals.

Glutathione is a natural antioxidant that decreases with age. It is made up of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. Finding ways to get more glutathione as you age may help combat the effects of diminishing levels.

Ways to boost levels of age-fighting antioxidants include:

• Eating sulfur-rich foods such as beef, poultry, fish, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, garlic, shallots, and onion
• Getting more vitamin C. Some research has shown supplemental doses of 500 to 1,000 mg per day may boost glutathione levels.
• Eating glutathione-rich foods such as avocado, spinach, and asparagus
• Supplementing with whey protein

It’s important to remember that glutathione is constructed from three amino acids. Therefore, eating amino-acid rich foods, such as “complete” proteins, could be the best strategy.

“Complete” proteins feature all essential amino acids and are generally found in animal-based foods such as meat and dairy. Some plant-based foods such as quinoa offer complete proteins, but it is uncommon.

Eating certain meat products, however, can boost inflammation and lead to increased free radical production. It’s advised to limit intake of fried and fatty processed meats such as deli meat, bacon, cold cuts, hot dogs, and other processed varieties to strike the right balance.

Sticking to leaner, unprocessed cuts is a healthier approach to help limit inflammation. Have servings similar to your palm size while opting for fatty fish such as salmon twice per week.

Antioxidants can help keep your cells young and slow aging to promote better health.

Devon Andre holds a bachelor’s degree in forensic science from the University of Windsor in Canada and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Andre is a journalist for BelMarraHealth, which first published this article.