Free Radicals

Another reason to eat more raw food is because of the disease and aging effects of free radicals on the system.  Free radicals are incomplete atoms that steal from our healthy atoms causing a chain reaction resulting in a  breakdown in normal growth and repair of healthy tissue. Let's  minimize the creation of free radicals by conscious eating.  Our body has the ability to eliminate these disease causing atoms with a little help from our dietary choices.  It is no surprise that environmental hazards, along with lifestyle, can contribute to the growth of free radicals. But what about foods that are very common in our typical diet?  Oxidation of any oils, whether in nuts grains or various cooking oils, will increase free radicals in the body.  The oxidation process is sped up when nuts are roasted and oil is heated.  Hence, there are the much acclaimed cold pressed virgin oils as opposed to the heat extracted variety. One of the main reasons to eat raw is simply to avoid the potential for creating those radical demons.  There are many wonderful substitutes for these familiar foods we are so addicted to.  For now, just remember to avoid fried food and roasted nuts and keep your conscious healthy lifestyle choices.