Good Nutrition Advice

Damage Control Master Formula

FREE radicals are everywhere. We need free radicals to perform daily functions and they are critical components in our bodies that help to regulate blood flow through our systems, fight infections and keep our brains sharp. Some free radicals even kill cancer cells. However, as beneficial as they are, they can also turn ‘bad‘ and make us sick, age prematurely and seccumb to serious disease.

Today we are fortunate enough to have a great selection of drinks, such as monavie, that are filled with lots of antioxidants and are easily accessible from natural food stores.

Our cells are composed of atoms which have a nucleus surrounded by electrons. Atoms bind together by sharing electrons. From time to time an electron ‘escapes’. This electron is called a free radical. Free radicals are constantly forming everywhere in the human body. If not caught quickly they can wreak havoc causing disease and premature aging.

The Antioxidant Network

Network antioxidants work together to eliminate unwanted free radicals in the body. Although there are hundreds of naturally occurring antioxidants, five warrant special attention in the fight against premature aging and disease.

These are: Vitamins C and E, Coenzyme Q10, Lipoic acid and Glutathione. Combined, they enhance each other's powers to fight free radicals. A good example of this is vitamin E. When it destroys a free radical it becomes a free radical itself. But that vitamin E free radical recycles itself back into an antioxidant with help from vitamin C or Coenzyme Q10. These two donate electrons to bring the vitamin E back to its original from.

The Benefits of Lipoic Acid

While these antioxidants work together, each has its own special function. The most unique is Lipoic acid. Vitamins are either fat soluble, such as vitamin E, or water soluble, such as vitamin C. While vitamin E and CoQ10 protect the fatty portion of the cell membrane, the ‘watery’ portions of the cell, or blood, are protected by the water soluble vitamins such as vitamin C. However, Lipoic acid functions in both environments and can regenerate both water soluble and fat soluble antioxidants.

Coenzyme Q10

This fat soluble molecule works with its companion vitamin E to protect the fatty part of the cell from free radicals. CoQ10 is an coenzyme that works with a enzyme to produce a specific reaction. Enzymes are proteins found in living cells. CoQ10 has been shown to the effective in the treatment of heart failure, angina and high blood pressure. It also regenerates brain cells and may help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Glutathione

This antioxidant is produced by the body from three amino acids: glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. It is found in nearly every cell and is an important free radical exterminator. Low levels have been linked to early death and disease and as body levels begin to drop after the age of 40, it is wise to keep levels high.

Working alongside these network antioxidants are a range of important network boosters. The most significant of which are the flavonoids ginkgo biloba and pycnogenol, the carotenoids alpha carotene, beta carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin, along with selenium.

Vitamins and Minerals