Fresh fruits and vegetables provide nutrients to repair DNA damage

Our DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the master controller of our lives. DNA contains the genetic instructions for us to develop and live our lives. Every day, environmental factors attack each DNA stand tens of thousands of times.

Fortunately, we have the necessary repair mechanisms to survive this continual onslaught of destruction at the cellular level. We can control the external causes of DNA damage by modifying our lifestyles. For example, stop smoking, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, avoid toxins in foods and personal care products. Certain types of prescription drugs can damage your DNA.

We can also provide our bodies with the nutrients it needs to support our natural ability to repair cellular DNA damage. Balanced nutrition provides us with a long and healthy life. When we are deficient in vitamins and minerals necessary for health, we increase our risk of disease.

The most common deficiencies in Americans are calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin D, iodine, and iron. Vitamin B12 and magnesium assist with DNA repair. Natural sources of magnesium include brown rice, almonds, cashews, peanuts, raisins, and spinach. Vitamin B12 is a cobalamin. Beef and fish are good sources of vitamin B12.

Twelve other nutrients that assist in the DNA repair process are fish oil, vitamin E (all eight compounds – four tocotrienols and four tocopherols), vitamin C, nicotinamide, CoQ10, zinc, selenium, polyphenols, grape seed extract, curcumin, carotenoids, and vitamin B6.

Please note our bodies cannot absorb curcumin easily. Piperine, a black pepper extract, dramatically enhances the absorption of curcumin.

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