Antioxidants

Biological oxidation involves transferring electrons from one oxygen molecule to another. Sometimes an electron escapes. When this happens the "free" electron is called a free radical. Free radicals constantly form almost everywhere in the body at an astonishing rate. Free radicals can be enemies or friends. Our body's internal environment must interact with them the right way, or they can cause serious damage. The key is to maintain the optimal balance between free radicals and antioxidants.

Antioxidants are a group of compounds that are produced by the body, or occur naturally in many plants. Antioxidants are the free radical police of the body, on call 24/7. Antioxidants protect us from the oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

Populations that consume large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, tea, and red wine enjoy increased longevity and decreased risk of serious diseases. Scientific literature suggests that dietary supplementation with single nutrients may not be beneficial, but that whole food supplements that contain a naturally occurring blend of nutrients is preferred. The literature has documented that the interaction of combined nutrients can produce a total effect that is synergistic. The effects of the blend are greater than the sum of the effects of individual nutrient.

Australian Bush Plum - is a small deciduous tree found in Northwestern Australia. During the wet season the plant produces small plum like fruits that look and taste like gooseberries.

Nutrient analysis indicate that the fruit contains small amounts of vitamin B1 and B2; it also contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. With the average vitamin C content of 3.0 - 3.5% (range= .2 to 5.9%) the bush plum provides the most concentrated natural source of vitamin C known. The typical bush plum contains about 2907 mg vitamin C per 100 grams of edible fruit.

Grape Skin Extract - Recognition that whole food extracts contain a full complement of naturally occurring phytonutrients stimulated studies of grape skin extracts. Resveratrol and Quercetin are the most extensively researched grape skin phytonutrients.

Resveratrol - Scientific studies indicate that resveratrol has a wide range of potentially important physiological activities. It can function as:

ˇa potent antioxidant
ˇan inhibitor of tumor initiation, promotion, and progression
ˇan inhibitor of cycloxygenase, a tumor promoting enzym
ˇan anti-inflammatory agent
ˇa phytoestrogen

Quercetin - The biological effects of quercetin and its derivatives have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help protect against many different diseases. Studies suggest that quercetin and its derivatives protect low-density lipoproteins from oxidation, thus preventing atherosclerotic plaque formation. By inhibiting platelet aggregation and promoting vascular smooth muscle relaxation, these flavonoids also may prevent stroke, hypertension, and other damaging cardiovascular events. In addition, they have anti-viral and anti-cancer actions as well.

The preponderance of scientific evidence indicates that a diet rich in flavonoids supports good health. Because many people consume insufficient amounts of flavonoid rich foods, and because cooking causes significant losses of flavonoids (35-82%), supplementation seems appropriate.

Green Tea Extract - The health benefits of green tea have been recognized for centuries, and scientific studies have confirmed the benefits of drinking this popular beverage. Both in vitro and animal studies suggest green tea and green tea extracts elicit a broad range of health promoting effects, particularly in supporting cardiovascular health and protecting against infections and cancer. Current studies indicate that a daily tea intake of 6 - 10 cups is required to obtain benefits. Because it may be difficult for many of us to drink so much tea every day, supplementing with tea extracts makes sense.

Glutathione is produced by our bodies and is the key antioxidant. It protects us from many types of pollution. It protects our DNA and RNA from free radical damage. Glutathione also protects us against cellular damage caused by heavy metals, cigarette smoke, pesticides, benzene, solvents, dyes, phenols, nitrates, and smog.

According to a study done at the University of California glutathione is poorly absorbed when taken orally. Therefore our diet, or taking a glutathione supplement, cannot provide us with sufficient quantity. So how do we get it? A glyconutrient complex has been scientifically shown to increase glutathione levels in healthy tissue. It will increase glutathione levels by 50% when tissues have been subjected to direct toxic chemical assault.

This fact was demonstrated in a study done by three different laboratories simultaneously, each being unaware of what the other labs were doing. The final result clearly demonstrated that this glyconutrient complex raises glutathione - not just in healthy tissue, but also in response to a toxic chemical assault.

It is apparent that supplementation with single nutrients may not suffice, and that whole food extracts containing a variety of naturally occurring nutrients are preferred. Independent studies have shown that a synergistic combination of the above ingredients results in a 36% increase in serum antioxidant activity.

If you would like to receive more information on antioxidants please e-mail Dr. Enders at glycodoc@goldenkeys.net. Please put "antioxidants" in subject line.