Degenerative Disease and the Free Radical Process

[Guest guest]

Degenerative Diseases and the Free Radical Process

 

There is a link among all the degenerative diseases that researchers have

studied for over 30 years. They all cause damage from the free radical process.

A free radical is any molecule with an unpaired electron in its outer sheath.

Under normal circumstances, our body has a balanced pair of electrons around

each molecule. If the molecule for any reason gains or loses an electron, then

it is thrown into an unbalanced state. This new unbalanced molecule makes an

attempt to bring itself into balance by stealing an electron from another

molecule. Thus, it weakens this next molecule severely. The more that free

radical activity goes on in our body, the greater at risk we are to destroying

more cells than we are capable of producing. As the process goes unchecked, it

leads to cell death, tissue death, organ death, and then bodily death. All this

starts from an unpaired electron or free radical.

 

 

The major initiators for this free radical process are chemical stress,

emotional stress, physical trauma, and infection. Chemical stress includes

pesticides, insecticides, heavy metals, asbestos, air pollution, polluted water,

and radioactive wastes. Jet travel exposes us to ozone and radiation. Ozone has

been shown to cause tears in lung tissue. Xanthine oxide is the catalyst which

helps convert the waste product hydrogen peroxide at the cellular level into the

more dangerous hydroxyl radical. As the Xo accumulates, it destroys plasmalogen.

 

Most cellular damage occurs as a by-product of oxygen metabolism. These free

radical by-products are superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl ions.

Fortunately, our body is equipped with antioxidant enzymes that neutralize the

free radical process. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) destroys superoxide radicals.

It is the fifth most abundant protein in the body. Glutathione peroxidase (GP)

removes hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides. Lipids (fats) turn rancid in the

body from peroxide radicals. Since the liver consists of 50% fatty tissue, it is

extremely vulnerable to lipid peroxidation. Methione reductase (MR) is the only

one of the three major enzymes that is not produced by the body. It is available

from plants or foods. It is also the only enzyme known that neutralizes the

hydroxyl radical. The hydroxyl is the primary free radical toxin that is an

outgrowth of radiation exposure; this includes high-level radiation and the more

deadly low-level radiation.

 

 

The process of aging starts with lipid peroxidation. In other words, the fats in

our body turn rancid. Each of our cell membranes is surrounded by fatty tissue.

If the cell membrane is attacked by free radicals, it either hardens and doesn't

allow nutrients to enter, or it is punctured and the cell collapses. This leaves

the skin sagging and leathery.

 

 

Another free radical process is arthritis. Bones move freely because of synovial

fluid which lubricates joints. When free radicals get into the fluid, they

oxidize the lipids in the oil. Without the lipids, the joint loses lubrication

and causes friction which causes inflammation. We call it arthritis, or

bursitis, or gout, but the process is the same. This process is initiated by

superoxide free radicals.

 

 

Athletes who perform strenuous workouts commonly burn off large quantities of

fat molecules. This is what gives them energy. However, chemicals and toxins are

stored in these fats. So, their release causes hydroxyl radicals to form. It is

extremely important to recognize that those newly burned off fats leave a

residue of metabolic waste that must be evacuated from the system. The fatigue

someone feels after working out may eventually lead to a chain of unhealthy

effects way beyond the cellular level.

 

 

We live in an era when it is almost impossible to ward off all the negative

effects based on the availability of the antioxidants our own bodies produce

naturally. One very successful way is to supplement your antioxidant supply on a

daily basis. Vitamin C and E are commonly used as antioxidants. However, 95% of

the vitamin C available is ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is not vitamin C. For

ascorbic acid to function in the body, it pulls all the minerals it needs from

other parts of the body because it is incomplete. A vitamin C supplement should

include sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, zinc,

ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, and ascorbic acid. The body produces five million

units of SOD daily. It is very important to drink plenty of good water to help

flush the system, so that the toxins released won't redeposit at another

location causing even greater damage.

Some of the positive effects of antioxidants are: protection against cigarette

smoke, tumors, radiation damage, restoration of collagen fiber (a major

component of skin, ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage, bones, and teeth),

remission of arthritis, detoxification of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium,

mercury, reduction of cataracts, diabetes, allergies, and eczema. These are only

aids in the healing process. They are not intended as replacements for a good

diet or a positive, healthy attitude toward life.

 

 

written by Rodney Julian

 

Published February 1988

 

For more information on supporting a healthy system, please visit

http://www.rainforestbio.com/fetalogos

 

-- Back to Article Table of Contents --

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO "

Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen

 

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html

 

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

We have made every effort to ensure that the information included in these pages

is accurate. However, we make no guarantees nor can we assume any responsibility

for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or

process discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.