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:

·a potent antioxidant
·an inhibitor of tumor initiation, promotion, and progression
·an inhibitor of cycloxygenase, a tumor promoting enzym
·an anti-inflammatory agent
·a 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.

---

Do Natural Thyroid Boosters Work?

How Well Does Thyrin-ATC and Other Natural Thyroid Products Work?Hypothyroidism... Read More

Side Effects of Fish Oil

Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of fatty... Read More

The Benefits of Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 has exploded onto the health scene. This powerful... Read More

The Benefits of Protein Powders

I know protein is good for me, but do I... Read More

The Immune-Boosting Power of Colostrum

Bovine Colostrum is the form of "milk" taken from dairy... Read More

Cortisol Blockers- After the Hype and Controversy, are there any Quality Products Still Standing?

Over the last 2 years, the link between weight gain... Read More

Nutritional Supplement

Nutritional Supplement ? what is it?So what is a nutritional... Read More

Iron and Your Heart Health

A ranch house, a zip lock bag and some ordinary... Read More

The Myths and Facts of Vitamin D and Sun Exposure

Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary... Read More

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - HMB

HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of... Read More

The History of Hyaluronic Acid Treatments

While HA has dramatically increased in popularity and use within... Read More

Vitamin E ? Just the Facts, Ma?am

It is important to understand that we are ultimately responsible... Read More

Natural Tonics for Health and Wellness

I'm a great believer in natural tonics to strengthen or... Read More

Vitamin Information for Health

Vitamin C may be the most famous vitamin. Tens of... Read More

How Effective are Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplements?

There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections... Read More

Why Supplements and Glyconutritionals?

Food is one of our most basic needs. However, in... Read More

Colostrum May Help Prevent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

A 2003 study by the Health Sciences Department of the... Read More

Amino Acids Primer

Ever wondered whether amino acid supplements really work? We reveal... Read More

The Need For Supplementation

When I began to study nutrition, I too believed that... Read More

Developing Those Elusive Bright Eyes... With Vitamins and Minerals

Vision is one of our most precious senses. Without it... Read More

An Overview of Hyaluronic Acid Products

Hyaluronic acid is available in a variety of products ranging... Read More

Anabolic Steroids and Will They Work for Me?

Unfortunately nobody can tell that question over the internet, but... Read More

Eat Well First Before You Take Your Vitamins

There is a huge market when it comes to vitamins.... Read More

Achieving Youthful Healthy Skin with Vitamins A, C, and E

We all want healthy skin. While the main reasons for... Read More

Keeping Tabs on Niacin

Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up... Read More

Store Bought Vitamins - Synthetic?

Did you know that most store bought vitamins and minerals... Read More

Using Bodybuilding Supplements To Build Muscle Mass!

OK, first let's get something straight here...If you think that... Read More

Vitamin B-1

Did you know that vitamin B-1 has two other widely... Read More

Mineral Supplement: Minerals in Your Diet!

The food is the raw material for the body. Minerals... Read More

Increasing overall Health with Nutritional Supplements

"But I eat healthy," you might say. That may be... Read More

Omega 3 and Reduced Risk of Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction is a technical term used to describe an... Read More

Kanhaiya Amla Powder

AMLA ( EMBLICA OFFICINALIS ) FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTYAMLA, proudly... Read More

Shopping for Supplements -- Living Healthy and Saving Money

When it comes to personalized weight loss programs and their... Read More