Why we should protect our cells

Published: Tuesday | September 25, 2012  

By:  Dr Tony Vendryes (Courtesy of The Gleaner)

 

LAST WEEK, I wrote about a concept called cellular nutrition and the importance of providing the cells of the body with the right nutrients.
Today, I will expand on that theme and discuss the need to also protect the cells.
The trillions of cells in the human body work very hard. Consider, for example, the human heart. On average, it beats over three billion times in a lifetime, pumping millions of quarts of blood through some 70,000 miles of blood vessels all over the body. The muscle cells of your heart, the cells in your blood, as well as the cells that make the blood vessels themselves, are constantly subject to stress and strain, wear and tear. Little wonder that heart disease, blood disorders and circulation problems are so common.
Or what about your liver, that often undervalued organ? As the major organ of detoxification in the body, on a moment-to-moment basis, it conducts thousands of chemical processes to neutralise harmful substances and then pass them out of the body in the form of bile. The liver cells need protection from damage, just like the cells in all the other organs and tissues.

Free radicals
A major cause of cellular damage comes from free radicals. These are unstable chemicals that, in excess, can harm the cells and promote disease. They are produced by the body itself, as metabolic by-products, similar to how a car engine produces exhaust fumes. Free radicals also come from pollution in the environment, some drugs, cigarette smoke, and even the electromagnetic radiation from appliances and even from the sun itself. Free radicals can damage all parts of the cells, including your genes and DNA. This can lead to cancer. In fact, free radical damage is the underlying cause of most disease processes as well as reason why our bodies age.
There are special substances called antioxidants that defend and protect your cells from being damaged by these free radicals. The cells themselves manufacture antioxidant substances with fancy names like 'catalase' and 'superoxide dismutase'. However, if too many free radicals are produced, or if too little antioxidants are available, disease will result. We all need additional supplies of antioxidants.
A diet rich in antioxidants is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and fresh fruit and vegetables are the main dietary sources of antioxidants, the more you eat, the better. I call these antioxidants 'The ACES' and they are absolutely necessary for optimal health.

The ACES

A - Vitamin A: This is a powerful antioxidant which helps to protect the cells from cancer and other illnesses. It is commonly found in yellow, green and orange fruits including carrots, pumpkin, callaloo, papaya, mangoes, and also in liver and fish liver oils. The plant sources also contain other substances called carotenoids (e.g. beta carotene), which the body converts to vitamin A.

C - Vitamin C: Man is one of very few animals that cannot manufacture his own vitamin C. This essential antioxidant has to be obtained from the diet. It protects against pollution, cancer and infections and is also necessary for tissue growth and cell repair. Fresh fruits and vegetables, such as citrus, berries and greens are good sources. This vitamin is greatly depleted by alcohol, many prescription medications, and by smoking.

E - Vitamin E: This is yet another powerful antioxidant, which not only protects against cancer, but also improves heart and circulatory function. It promotes healing, reduces blood pressure and prevents abnormal clotting of the blood. Vitamin E is found in cold pressed vegetable oils, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and grains.

S - Selenium: This mineral is a vital antioxidant, especially when combined with vitamin E, it protects the immune system from free radicals and inhibits the formation of tumours. Recent research indicates that selenium provides powerful protection from viruses, including the AIDS virus! Selenium, although needed in only small amounts, is important for the proper functioning of the heart, liver, pancreas and prostate. It is found in Brazil nuts, grains, yeast, broccoli, and some meats.
Unfortunately, the modern Western diet is deficient in the ACES and daily supplementation to ensure adequate antioxidant protection is necessary.

Herbal antioxidant
Several herbs also act as powerful antioxidants. Green tea (referred to last week) is full of antioxidant substances called polyphenols, which scientist believe are protective against cancer. The Chinese herb schizandra contains antioxidants called schizandrins, while the well-known Jamaican herb rosemary is endowed with potent antioxidants known as rosemanols. Pycnogenol, obtained from the bark of the French Marine pine tree as well as from the skin and seeds of red grapes, is an antioxidant that is particularly protective of the blood vessels.

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learn about nutraMetrix Isotonix® OPC-3® with pycnogenol

 

Primary Benefits of nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3®*:

• Combats free radicals
• Demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity
• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• Helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins
• Helps maintain joint flexibility
• Helps promote cardiovascular health
• Helps reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain
• Helps support visual health/visual acuity
• Potent free radical scavenger
• Promotes healthy blood vessel dilation
• Promotes healthy nitric oxide levels
• Supports a healthy complexion
• Supports healthy blood glucose levels
• Supports healthy platelet activity
• Supports healthy sperm quality
• Promotes sinus comfort

Key Ingredients Found In nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3®:
Grape Seed Extract: 25 mg
Grape seed extract is typically extracted from the seeds of red grapes (instead of white), which have a high content of compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Grape seed extract is extremely rich in polyphenols, compounds with high antioxidant activity. Grape seed extract has been found to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.* 

Red Wine Extract: 25 mg
Red wine extract is a powerful antioxidant. This extract is found in grape vines, roots, seeds and stalks, with the highest concentration in the skins. The antioxidant properties of red wine extract contribute to maintaining healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, and promoting overall cardiovascular health.*
In the late 1990s, scientists took note of a phenomenon among the French. There were very low rates of cardiovascular problems in the provinces where residents consistently ate high fat foods and drank red wine. Scientists concluded that the protective properties of red wine have helped the French maintain cardiovascular health for years and subsequent scientific studies have further shown that the OPCs found in red wine are particularly beneficial for protecting the heart and blood vessels.*     
Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol®): 25 mg
Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the maritime pine tree, which grows exclusively along the coast of southwest France in Les Landes de Gascogne. This unspoiled and natural forest environment is the unique source of pine bark. Pycnogenol is one of the most researched ingredients in the natural product marketplace. Published findings have demonstrated Pycnogenol’s wide array of beneficial effects on the body. Pine bark extract is an all natural combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids.
The extract has three basic properties — it is a powerful antioxidant, selectively binds to collagen and elastin, and promotes the normal production of endothelial nitric oxide, which promotes the normal dilation of dilate blood vessels.*
As one of the most potent natural scavenger of free radicals, Pycnogenol combats many aggressive free radicals before they cause oxidative stress to vital organs. Its super-antioxidant capabilities help support healthy blood platelet activity, support healthy blood glucose levels, reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain, maintain joint flexibility, promote cardiovascular health, promote healthy sperm quality, maintain healthy cholesterol levels and support a healthy complexion.*
Bilberry Extract: 25 mg
Bilberry extract is derived from the leaves and berry-like fruit of a common European shrub closely related to the blueberry. Extracts of the ripe berry are known to contain flavonoid pigments known as anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Scientific studies confirm that bilberry extract supports healthy vision and venous circulation. Bilberry extract helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins.*
Citrus Extract (Bioflavonoids): 25 mg
Bioflavonoids are antioxidants found in certain plants that act as light filters, which protect delicate DNA chains and other important macromolecules by absorbing ultraviolet radiation. They have been found to promote cardiovascular health, help maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, and demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity.*

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