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Some cool stuff on antioxidants that you probably were not aware of!

Did you know up until the age of about 20 your body produces enough antioxidants to keep you healthy. But, after 20 the amount of antioxidants produced by the body gradually decreases with age.

Antioxidants and Exercise -- When you exercise heavily, you need additional antioxidants according to a leading researcher. Exercise stimulates your body's production of "free radicals" that attack cells, leading to long-term damage and a higher risk of can cer. To counteract the exercise hazard, experts suggest taking antioxidant supplements daily, notably vitamin E (400 IU) and vitamin C (1000 mg).

Vitamin E and Heart Disease - A study on mice, completed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, shows that vitamin E gives "potent protection" from heart disease. Dr. Garret A. Fitzgerald, who is Chairman of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center's Department of Pharmacology, said the study offers "powerful evidence" that vitamin E works effectively as an antioxidant against atherosclerosis, a form of arteriosclerosis-hardening of the arteries. Dr. Fitzgerald, who was the senior author of the report, said the study also demonstrates the role of harmful free radicals in heart disease.

Antioxidant Information -- Vegetables and fruits with the deepest colors contain the highest levels of antioxidant nutrients.

Chocolate phenolics, and antioxidants! -- One scientist recently discovered that chocolate contains phenolics, an antioxidant that is believed to reduce your overall chances of contracting heart disease. Pure chocolate may be the best chocolate around. That's because the fat in pure chocolate usually comes from cocoa butter and cocoa butter has a high content of stearic acid, the saturated fat that doesn't hurt your blood cholesterol level. What's better for you white or dark chocolate?

As a general rule, dark chocolate is made from a higher content of cocoa butter. It also contains many phenolics. White chocolate usually doesn't have very many phenolics, but is loaded with cocoa butter. A dark chocolate bar is considered the most beneficial, followed by fudge syrup, baking chocolate, chocolate fondue, and semisweet chips. Stay away from the candy bars at the supermarket checkout aisle, they usually contain less than 20 percent of the good-for-you cocoa butter. Also avoid chocolate ice cream since it's usually not made with cocoa butter.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.