Fwd: Antioxidants......They can Help relieve Pain

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Fwd: Antioxidants......They can Help relieve Pain JoAnn Guest Aug 04, 2005

12:42 PDT

 

 

 

Lets first look at what antioxidants are; Antioxidants are a natural occurring

substance, although they can also be synthetic substances. Antioxidants, among

other things, help to protect cells from the damaging effects of what is know as

" oxygen free radicals. "

 

Antioxidants are agents that prevent or inhibit " oxidation " .

 

Our bodies produce antioxidants to counteract the damage of free

radicals, but if the supply is low, cellular damage occurs resulting in

more illness sooner or later.

 

The prefix " anti " means against and antioxidants " inhibit " oxidation.

 

Oxidation begins when free radicals, unstable molecules, grab

electrons from stable ones. Free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants, which

can give up their

electrons without becoming unstable themselves.

 

Antioxidants can be in the form of 'enzymes', such as superoxidase

dismutase and peroxidases and vitamins A, C and E, scavenger free

radicals.

 

Superoxidase dismutase and other cellular enzymes convert the very

destructive and damaging effects that hydroxyl radicals have on your

body into hydrogen peroxide,

which is then converted into water and harmless oxygen before they can

damage the cells and mitochondrail membranes, destroy cellular proteins,

enzymes and DNA mutations.

 

Assisting your cells enzyme protectors are the antioxidant's vitamins

E,C and beta carotene which is a precursor to vitamin A.

 

Wondering what roles these vitamins can play in your health? These

vitamin actually absorb and attach to the free radicals that are in your

body and prevents them from attacking your healthy normal tissues.

 

Diseases such as cancer can be a result of DNA mutation, which

results in the excessive production of oxygen free radicals that

overwhelms available oxidants. I am inclined to believe that Endometrial

cancer is a result of the work of oxygen free radicals.

 

Co-enzyme Q10 [CoQ10] recycle the vitamins C and E, which restores

their antioxidant powers after the damage has been encountered

with these free radicals.

 

Did you know that your heart contains more CoQ10 than any other organ in

your body?

 

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins [OPC] is derived from the bark of French

maritime pine trees and grapes.

OPC's are more powerful than the vitamins C or E.

 

These antioxidants can strengthen connective tissue, muscles and blood

vessels-- which benefit the cardiovascular system.

OPC's are supplements made from the pine bark of French maritime pine

trees and grapes.

 

Antioxidants can also help to relive pain by reducing free radical

formation.

These antioxidants would include the vitamins E & C, beta

carotine, selenium, pycnogenol, bioflavonoids, CoQ 10, alpha lipoic

acid, ginkgo biloba and bilberry.

 

It's also thought that macular degeneration and cataracts are an

indication that your body is 'deficient' in antioxidants.

It's been shown that those with age related macular degeneration have

low levels of glutathione, and antioxidant enzymes.

 

The herb Gingko, or known as Gingko biloba appears to have

antioxidant properties which may strengthen the cardiovascular system,

especially when combined with garlic and ginseng. When buying ginseng,

it's best to search for Asian (Panax) or American (Panax quinquefolius)

ginseng.

 

The top Vitamin Antioxidants:

 

vitamin A

vitamin C

vitamin E

Selenium, the Mineral

 

 

The top fruit Antioxidants

 

prunes

raisins

blueberries

blackberries

strawberries

Prunes have more then double the antioxidant level of raisins.

 

 

The top vegetable Antioxidants

 

alfalfa

kale

spinach

brussels sprouts

broccoli flowers

 

Herbs high in antioxidants

 

Rosemary

Sheperd's purse

Turmeric

 

 

Definitions:

 

-Free radicals are molecules that contain an odd number of electrons.

If two radicals react, both are eliminated, but if a radical reacts

with a non- radical, another free radical is produced, thus causing a

chain

of events that could can cause certain stages in the progression of

injury within the body.

 

-Oxygen free radicals are released during the respiratory burst phase

of phagocytosis by neutrophils and macrophages during the

inflammatory process and cause direct cell damage.

 

-Peroxidases is an enzyme that hastens the transfer of oxygen from

peroxide to tissue that requires oxygen, which is essential to

intracellular respiration.

 

-Superoxidase dismutase is an enzyme that destroys superoxide.

This enzyme can contain manganese, copper and zinc.

 

It is not the truth that will heal you, but the knowledge of the

truth.

 

Robin Stone

http://www.kua.net/~rstone

http://www.FriendsForHealthNaturally

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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