Antioxidants are substances that help our bodies fight free radicals-natural but toxic chemical reactions that occur in our bodies and damage our cells. Different antioxidants combat different free radicals, so it’s wise to know and use a wide range of antioxidant foods and vitamins that help preserve health and vitality.

Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant vitamin. Foods that contain the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C include oranges, lemons, grapefruits, cantaloupe, many leafy greens, broccoli and peppers. Beta carotene, found in carrots, is another antioxidant nutrient.

Garlic is another food known for its antioxidant properties. Garlic actually has many healthy properties and can even be used as an antibacterial.

Berries of almost every type are excellent antioxidants. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries all have antioxidant properties.

Although cooking can dilute the nutrients in food, most foods have more than enough to last. The antioxidant properties of red grapes are even found in wine, so it’s not necessary to eat raw foods in order to get antioxidant benefits.

And speaking of antioxidants that you can drink, don’t forget about tea. All different kinds of tea have these good-for-you properties, not just green tea, as was originally thought.

While nutritional supplements are available to help us get the nutrients we aren’t getting from food, the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day (especially if those vegetables are broccoli and spinach) should provide most of the antioxidants you need. Especially for children, it’s wise not to get in the habit of relying on supplements when a naturally varied diet can provide for most nutritional needs. As we get older, however, it may become necessary to supplement certain vitamins and minerals; for example, some older people lose the ability to naturally synthesize enough Vitamin B12. Vitamin D is another vitamin that may need to be supplemented in older people. Your doctor can do blood tests to determine if you could benefit from vitamin supplementation.

Winter is the time of year when our skin often gets dry.  The trip down the isle for a moisturizer can prove daunting.  There are skin moisturizer products ranging in price from $2 to $200.  Can a $200 moisturizer really be a hundred times better then the $2 moisturizer?  The key is to find a product that feels good and works on your skin.

If you have sensitive skin, you will want a fragrance-free moisturizer because perfumes can irritate the skin.  The Cetaphil products are good because they are reasonably priced and fragrance free.  The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion ($9.99 for 16 ounces) is a good for all around use and most people are happy with it.

For an even less expensive product, try regular old petroleum jelly ($2.00 for 10 ounces) or mineral oil ($3.99 for 16 ounces).  Both are very good for holding moisture in the skin.  If you do not like the way they feel on your skin, use a small amount.  For the lips, try Chap Stick ($1.29 for .15 ounces) or Carmex ($1.29 for .3 ounces).  For the face, I would recommend Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($10.99 for 4 ounces).  It feels less greasy on the skin and has the added sun protection.

Dry hands are the most common problem.  The best and least expensive moisturizer is still the old reliable petroleum jelly.  If you don’t like the feel, try Neutrogena Hand Cream ($3.49 for 2 ounces).

There are a couple of things you can do to avoid dry skin.  Take shorter showers with warm, not hot, water.  The hot water removes protective oils from the skin.  Use a mild soap and apply moisturizer within five minute of getting out of the shower.  If you have persistent dry, itchy skin that you cannot resolve with over-the-counter moisturizer creams, you may have a more pressing problem.  If your skin problem is causing you lack of sleep or is troublesome for more than one week, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.