For decades avocados were labeled as a fatty food to be avoided. However, most of the fat in an avocado is monounsaturated, which protects against heart disease and certain cancers. (See what makes us fat – here) Monounsaturated fat actually lowers cholesterol. Fortunately, we are going back to the traditional understanding of healthy fats in our diet. With this understanding, the popularity of avocados have grown. In fact, avocados are a perfect nutritionally balanced food. They contain nearly all the essential nutrients that our bodies can not produce on their own. What’s even more fascinating, avocados contain an unbelievable amount of antioxidants that can reverse aging.
Why Avocados are the Most Unique Antiaging Food
Most people don’t know that avocados have powerful anti-aging properties contained in both the flesh and the oil. Scientists have recently discovered that avocados possess potent anti-aging properties which protect against free radicals. Avocados are able to penetrate deeply inside our cell structures, enter the mitochondria and activate its energy production, allowing cells to function properly even while being constantly attacked by free radicals. The mitochondria plays a very important role in the fight against free radicals. Mitochondria are central components of our cells that produce the majority of a cells energy from nutrients. Unfortunately, they have a dark side – they generate unstable chemicals that inflict damage to both the mitochondria itself and other cellularcomponents. This damage directly affects aging and thus it has been the goal of many scientist to find remedies that will reverse this damage. They have found it in avocado oil! This new discovery can truly revolutionize our view of avocados. Lead study design author, Dr. Christian Cortez-Rojo, noted that “avocado oil causes accelerated respiration in mitochondria, which indicates that the use of nutrients for producing energy for cell functions remains effective even in cells attacked by free radicals and that mitochondria can produce little amounts of damaging free radicals.”
La Tourangelle Avocado Oil, 16.9 Ounce Tin
Other Health Benefits of Avocados
Avocados are a great source of healthy raw fat, which is missing in many people today. They contain around 20 essential nutrients which include:
- Fiber
- Potassium (more than twice the amount found in a banana)
- Vitamin E
- B-vitamins
- Folic acid
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Iron
- Boron
In addition, avocados boost your body’s ability to absorb fat-soluble nutrients from other fruits and vegetables, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein. Avocados possess antibacterial and antifungal properties that help to support a healthy immune system. Avocados are a wonderful source of the amino acid lecithin, which prevents liver overload, helps to balance weight, and boosts brain functions.
Benefits of Avocado Oil for the Skin
- Reduces age spots. Avocado oil (I use this one) is high in sterolins which soften the skin and reduce aging spots.
- Rejuvenates the skin. Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, various B vitamins including B1 & B2, vitamin D and E, as well as beta-carotene, potassium, lethicin.
- Boosts collagen. Avocado oil boosts the production of collagen and helps prevent aging.
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