| We’ve heard so much talk about antioxidants. We all know that they are important for our health, but let’s explore why they are more important for us now than they have ever been at any time prior in our history.
A free radical is a charged atom or a piece of a molecule. In order to re-establish its own stability, a free radical looks to steal an electron from its surroundings. This usually means from one of your healthy cells. You end up with a little bit of DNA damage, or a protein becomes dysfunctional. It may not seem like much, but all of these little damages add up. Antioxidants are chemicals that neutralize free radicals by donating one of their electrons, ending the electron “stealing” reaction.
The antioxidant nutrients themselves don’t become free radicals themselves because they are stable in either form. However, when an antioxidant neutralizes a free radical and loses its electron, it stops being able to function as an antioxidant. This is why you must continually re-supply your body with the vitamins, foods, and other neutraceuticals that act as antioxidants.
Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the body’s immune system’s cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, pesticides, food additives, fluoride, chemicals and heavy metals also spawn free radicals.
With the increasing toxic burden each year on our planet and, consequently, on our bodies, antioxidant protection has become more important now than ever before in our history.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a special antioxidant. It protects cell membranes, the lining of arteries, and it is incorporated within LDL-cholesterol molecules to help prevent cholesterol from oxidizing. In nature, all oils contain vitamin E for this very reason. Cooking oil manufacturers, however, have removed the vitamin E, making the oils much more likely to oxidize.
Dr. Russell Blaylock, neurologist, nutritionist, and one of the leading medical minds in the country, has this to say about vitamin E:
“A number of new studies have shown that natural vitamin E formulas with high amounts of gamma-tocopherol do indeed reduce cancer development and protect the brain, as well as other organs. There are many brands available, with Unique E being of the highest quality. Vitamin E and C work together, and a number of studies have shown that their ability to prevent disease is even greater when taken together.”
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is found in all plants and in animal meats. The highest levels are in plants, especially fruits and vegetables. Humans utilize ascorbic acid as an ascorbate, meaning that it is combined with a mineral, such as calcium, magnesium or sodium. As calcium, magnesium or sodium ascorbate, the ascorbic acid is buffered and is no longer an acid. This meand that taking therapeutic dosages won’t create acidosis in the body as can happen in an unbuffered source.
Many clinical studies have shown vitamin C:
Kills leukemia cells
Suppresses the growth of many cancers
Buffered C lowers risk of Alzheimer’s
Prevents kidney stones
When combined with other antioxidants, vitamin C has been shown to strongly Suppress the growth of many types of cancer.
Alpha Lipoic or Lipoic Acid
One of the most important neutraceuticals of our time, this powerful antioxidant is both water and fat-soluble. Therefore, it passes the blood/brain barrier. Alpha Lipoic or Lipoic Acid helps to extend the life of all other antioxidants in the body.
It also helps to create a more effective inner terrain where heavy metals can be chelated from the brain. Lastly, it lowers blood sugars and triglyceride levels. Make sure you are taking the “R” form, which is the natural source. The “S” form is the synthetic form, and although less expensive, is also far less effective.
L-Reduced Glutathione
Glutathione is found in all the cells of the body. It is the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifying agent. Glutathione levels significantly decrease as we age and decreases in all diseased states. Because glutathione is a potent antiviral and anti-microbial weapon, its deficiency compromises antiviral and anti-microbial defenses, and actually stimulates viral replication.
Raising glutathione levels inside the cells can STOP the replication of almost any pathogen. The cell’s ability to reduce oxidation and maintain internal balance by neutralizing free radicals is enhanced by glutathione more than any other antioxidant.
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