Nature Has Been Teaching Us About Prevention All Along
Welcome to another What's Possible?™ conversation, where we explore the remarkable ways the body is designed to thrive naturally. A few years ago, I was talking with a neighbor about her minor health concerns when I mentioned antioxidants. She looked at me with a puzzled expression and admitted she wasn't really sure what they were. More recently, I was surprised again when a few people on one of my wellness team calls said much the same thing. When talking about healthy aging, the conversation should ultimately include antioxidants. If you're not sure about what they are, this article can help simplify what it means to receive one of the greatest gifts Nature provides for prevention.
As a former biology teacher, my mind naturally spends time thinking about free radicals, oxidation, or the body's remarkable ability to protect itself. Antioxidants influence almost every aspect of healthy aging and resilience. Once you understand what they do, you begin to see them everywhere in nature.
Take a walk through your local farmers market in the summer and notice the vibrant colors. Deep blue blueberries. Bright red cherries. Purple blackberries. Rich green leafy vegetables. Even right now I'm able to pick the earliest wild blackberries on my walks with my dog. Those beautiful dark berry colors aren't just attractive. They're part of the plant's own protective system, helping it thrive despite sunlight, heat, and environmental stress.
Thrive Naturally
Our bodies are wonderfully designed with their own antioxidant defenses. Every day, they work quietly behind the scenes, helping protect healthy cells from the normal wear and tear of living. Breathing, exercising, digesting food, spending time in the sun—even these normal parts of life create oxidative stress. Fortunately, our bodies are equipped with remarkable ways to keep everything in balance. However, even under the best of circumstances, we need support from the foods we eat. Foods should nourish with ingredients and building blocks that support all biochemical reactions in the body. That's where antioxidants come in . . . and blueberries.
A few days ago I thought I smelled sandalwood while walking through my fitness club. It was so pleasant, I decided to apply a few drops to my wrist when I got home. Shortly after that, I took my dog for her afternoon walk on a sunny day. Though it wasn't a long walk, the sun exposure was enough to activate photosensitivity from the sandalwood oil, and, yes, my skin was burned, red, itchy, and very uncomfortable. Fortunately, I knew what to do. I sprayed Nano Silver spray which provided me with immediate relief from heat and itching. I consumed extra detox drops and antioxidants — lots of berries, and an antioxidant supplement, just to be sure. By morning, the redness had subsided and I felt much better.
That's one of the reasons I encourage people to think about "being the blueberry." You can optimize your health and help your body thrive naturally, minimizing the effects of poor choices and the accumulation of stressors.
Of course, I don't mean turning blue! I mean supporting your body the way nature supports itself. Colorful fruits and vegetables, thoughtful nutrition, hydration, movement, good sleep, time outdoors, and reducing unnecessary stress all work together to help your body's own protective systems do what they were designed to do.
For years, antioxidants have been one of the cornerstones of healthy aging conversations, and research continues to explore their role in supporting healthy cells throughout the body. The exciting part is that antioxidants really work to help your body continue doing what it already knows how to do, and you can actually support the natural ability your body has to make its own antioxidants.
As we continue our What's Possible?™ series, we'll be exploring one of the body's most fascinating antioxidant systems and why it has captured so much scientific interest. If you've ever wondered why antioxidants matter—or how they fit into a healthy lifestyle—I think you'll enjoy what's coming next.
Until then, enjoy the sunshine, eat some naturally colorful fruits and vegetables, stay well hydrated, and this summer...
Be the blueberry.
Join the Conversation
This Saturday's Live With Vitality Wellness Chat will explore antioxidants, healthy aging, and simple ways to support your body's natural defenses during the summer months. Whether you're just beginning your wellness journey or you've been studying natural health for years, I'd love to have you join the conversation.
If you can't make it to the live sessions, don't worry! I've prepared a library of recordings and assets for you to download and use. Just Register. The library opens soon.
