At the top of the list for the best sources of anti-oxidants is berries....all kinds of berries! Dr. Mel encourages all of her patients to eat a limitless amount of berries because of their great nutritional benefits.
Beyond berries, look for color-rich foods like carrots and veggies.
More than ever, people are searching for ways to feel better and live longer. Functional Medicine digs deeper than the symptoms to find the underlying cause. Dr. Mel has traveled all over the world to find better ways to help her patients feel better, live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.
Antioxidants are compounds that may help delay or even prevent cell damage in the body. When a person integrates a significant amount of antioxidants into their diet, it may help defend the body against oxidative stress from potentially harmful free radicals, which are unstable atoms.
When free radicals build up in a person’s blood, they can create oxidative stress which may increase the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and many other chronic health problems.
Here is a list of more antioxidant-rich foods that, if you add these into your diet, can increase your antioxidant levels and potentially help prevent the damage that doctors associate with oxidative stress
As we discussed above, berries are at the top of our list for antioxidant foods. Along with berries, some other great choices are:
Good quality dark chocolate has high levels of nutrients and antioxidants. Researchers have linked dark chocolate to a range of potential health benefits, including:
lower risk of heart disease
reduced inflammation
less chance of high blood pressure
promotion of good cholesterol
Artichokes provide lots of nutrients and antioxidants. Research suggests that they may help lower people’s cholesterol levels and improve their gut health. How you prepare them makes a difference!
It's better to steam or boil artichokes to get the most out of their antioxidant qualities because this breaks down the cell walls, making the antioxidants more accessible.
Pecans offer high levels of good fat, calories, minerals, and antioxidants.
BONUS: eating raw pecans helps lower the blood levels of LDL cholesterol, which may mean that these nuts help prevent heart disease!
Red cabbage contains vitamins A, C, and K, several antioxidants and, like strawberries and red kale, contains anthocyanins- a special group of antioxidants that have shown to promote heart health, prevent cancer, and reduce inflammation.
According to one study, anthocyanins have the following health benefits:
anti-inflammatory
anticancer
diabetes maintenance and management
promote weight control
prevent heart disease
ABOUT DR. MEL SCHOTTENSTEIN
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Mel studied Women, Gender, Sexuality, and History of Science and Medicine at Harvard University for her undergraduate degree. Interested in learning skills of medical mediation and to promote cultural competency amongst health care providers, she completed a Master’s degree in Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. Subsequently, Dr. Mel acquired a Naturopathic Medical Degree at Bastyr University in WA. While in school, she received additional training in Biological Medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Thomas Rau of the Paracelsus Clinic, Switzerland. Dr. Mel completed training in Regenerative Medicine, Integrative Oncology, Medical Aesthetics, BHRT, Neural therapy, Biofeedback, Homeopathy, Botanical Medicine, Environmental Medicine, and IV Therapy.
Post-graduation, Dr. Mel entered a Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program as well as a Masters in Ayurvedic Medicine. She received training in Medical Aesthetics from the National Laser Institute and became certified as a Wahls Protocol Health Professional (The only certified provider in AZ). Dr. Mel completed the post-graduate certification as a Swiss Biological Medicine Provider from the Swiss Biological Medicine organization. Her training at Swiss Biomed concluded with a one-on-one internship with Dr. Thomas Rau in Switzerland. While in Europe, Dr. Mel received training in the use of the Weber Endolaser for intraarticular/ intravenous/ interstitial/topical applications directly from the inventor, and founder of ISLA, Dr. Michael Weber. In addition, Dr. Mel studied PRGF-Endoret therapies at the Biotechnology Institute (BTI) in Bilbao, Spain, where PRGF was developed and patented by Dr. Eduardo Anitua, who was the founder of BTI.
Dr. Mel received additional training in PRP at the National Institute of Medical Aesthetics and became certified in all Vampire Therapies. She recently completed the Integrative Cancer Therapy Fellowship from the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine (A4M). She is currently completing the A4M Stem Cell Therapy Fellowship and Peptide Therapy Certification.
Lastly, Dr. Mel has personal experience with her own health concerns, in that she has treated herself, which has resulted in the elimination of all medications. Today, Dr. Mel is able to mountain bike, hike and travel the world in pursuit of her passion for learning the latest innovations in medical theory and clinical practice, and mineral and fossil collecting.
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