What are anti-oxidants?

Answer

An anti-oxidant is exactly what is says: against oxygen. Every living thing needs oxygen. But certain kinds of oxygen can be dangerous and detrimental to our health. These harmful oxygen molecules are also called free radicals. Anti-oxidants donate electrons to abnormal oxygen molecules (free radicals) to neutralise and balance them.

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Question

What does the term “abnormal” oxygen mean?

Answer

Abnormal oxygen molecules are constantly being formed in the body during all metabolic processes. A normal oxygen atom has two pairs of electrons (negatively charged energy fields circulating around the positively charged nucleus) revolving around the nucleus (centre of atom). This means that the oxygen atom is in balance.

During the metabolic processes in the body an extra electron attaches itself to the oxygen atom, making it unstable and biochemically very active. This kind of oxygen atom is called a free radical (“abnormal” oxygen). It wants to pass on the extra electron to its nearest neighbour, or remove an electron from its next door neighbour to again make up a pair of electrons to revolve around its nucleus in order to restore a natural balance or equilibrium. This in turn will cause the neighbour to become a free radical. This process causes a chain reaction which can wreak havoc in a cell.

Question

Why are free radicals detrimental to our health?

Answer

Free radicals can accumulate in the cell membrane, causing the membrane with its phospholipid (the cell membrane consists of layers of phosphates with lipids or fats intertwined) chains to eventually break and the cell content to leak from the cell, rendering the cell useless. It can also damage the cell nucleus containing the sensitive DNA molecule which controls all cell functions. Free radicals can also destroy enzyme systems and damage mitochondria (the power stations in each cell responsible for energy production).

Most free radicals are formed in one of four ways:

• They are manufactured during the production of cell energy where they are the by-products of the metabolic chain.
• The detoxification and neutralising of foreign substances such as medication, alcohol, toxins and chemicals generate free radicals.
• When the immune system is activated to eliminate or neutralise foreign organisms (bacteria, parasites and fungi), abnormal cells (such as cancer cells) and foreign protein molecules (such as found in cow’s milk or other food substances to which some people are allergic), the white blood cells manufacture free radicals to attack these invaders. However, the excess number of free radicals remain in the cells and blood following the attack.
• Free radicals also penetrate the body from the outside from sources such as ultraviolet light, air pollution, insecticides, poor diet and medication.

Examples of free radicals are the superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, single oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. Free radicals can wreak havoc and irreparably destroy the delicate biochemical harmony and balance (homeostasis) in the cell membrane, cell cytoplasm and cell nucleus.

Free radicals are extremely destructive and can cause irreparable damage to the delicate biochemical harmony and balance between the cell and the nucleus.

If the DNA growth control centre is damaged, cells can lose the ability to know when they should stop dividing and growing. Cells can also lose their ability to differentiate and they will no longer remember what kind of cell they are. The DNA of every cell contains the memory of the function of every other cell in the body. If the codes become confused, a liver cell could suddenly start growing uncontrollably and develop into a muscle cell where there should not be any muscle cells. This is what happens in many types of cancer. Cells grow uncontrollably and without differentiation in a suicidal frenzy. The cancer cells eventually destroy the total functioning of an organ, even destroying themselves in the process.

Question

Why is it important to neutralise free radicals in the brain?

Answer

The brain is particularly sensitive to free radical damage in the phospholipid membranes of the nerve cells. Herbs like Ginkgo biloba and the plant nutrient pycnogenol, found in grape seeds and pine bark, have the ability to penetrate the blood-brain-barrier and the anti-oxidants in them are then able to neutralise the free radicals inside the brain to prevent lipid peroxidation (oxidation by free radicals – abnormal oxygen molecules causing damage to the cell membranes) of the nerve cell membranes. The damage caused by free radicals has more impact on the deterioration of the intellectual functions in Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia than the degeneration of the nerve tissue as such.

Question

How does the body protect itself from free radical damage?

Answer

There are three anti-oxidant enzymes in every cell of the body that keep free radicals under control. They are superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. These enzymes donate an electron to the hyperactive oxygen and hydrogen radicals, which are then neutralised and rendered harmless.

Question

If the body makes its own anti-oxidant enzymes, why do I need to take anti-oxidants in the form of food supplements or food?

Answer

The enzymes cannot always cope with all the free radicals that are formed for the following reasons:

• Increased production of free radicals (more free radicals are produced than the three enzymes can handle):
• This often happens to people who participate in sports competitively - the more active and competitive they are, the more free radicals are formed on account of the increased metabolism. Active sportsmen and women should therefore take anti-oxidant supplements to cope with the increased production of free radicals in their bodies. This would improve their performance and increase their endurance - the damage caused by free radicals is reduced and the immune system is boosted, which means fewer infections.
• People who suffer from diabetes have an abnormal glucose metabolism combined with oxidative stress (which increases oxidation - thereby increasing the production of free radicals). Supplementary anti-oxidants restrict the tissue damage associated with diabetes, reduce the need for insulin and limit the eventual damage to the end organs (kidney damage, nerve damage, eye damage and gangrene) so often linked with the disease.
• All forms of chronic disease (such as arthritis, chronic fatigue, chronic infections, emphysema, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, varicose veins, cancer and AIDS) result in an increased production of free radicals, which spreads the damage caused by the disease and aggravates and prolongs the disease process.
• Prolonged or uncontrolled stress over a long period can significantly increase the metabolism. The enzymes responsible for maintaining the stress metabolism work harder and the free radicals increase significantly. The body therefore requires support from supplementary anti-oxidants.

• Increased exposure to free radicals from the environment is another possibility:
• Smoke - cigarette smoke (inhaled directly or indirectly) and industrial smoke from factories and fires.
• Air pollution caused by factories, vehicle exhaust fumes and heaters.
• Exposure to ultraviolet light, including excessive exposure to sunlight.
• In genetically susceptible people, exposure to carcinogens (substances that cause cancer).
• The ageing process exerts increasing demands on the enzymes and the enzymes also become less active. Ageing is the sum total of the damage caused by free radicals over a lifetime. It is never too late to take anti-oxidant supplements, but if you wish to slow down the ageing process the sooner the better. Remember that mental attitude and general lifestyle also play a major role in the ageing process.
• The immune system is an extremely active system. The enzymes work at top speed to protect you against pollution, carcinogens, viruses, bacteria, fungi and every foreign invader imaginable. The lifestyle we lead today puts a high demand on the immune system. Unless we take anti-oxidants to boost the immune system, we will suffer the consequences. The white blood cells also produce free radicals to destroy foreign invaders. The free radicals are then released into the surrounding tissue and may aggravate tissue damage. Anti-oxidants help to prevent and control this process.

The anti-oxidants we take in through our normal daily diet cannot supply all our needs in today’s hectic lifestyle.

Question

Can you please give some examples of anti-oxidants?

Answer

The main anti-oxidant nutrients are beta carotene (and the other carotenes or carotenoids), vitamins A, E and C and the minerals selenium, zinc, copper and manganese. Other examples of anti-oxidants are pycnogenol (found in pine bark and grape seed extract), co-enzyme Q10 (essential in the mitochondria or power generators of our cells), lycopene (in tomatoes), phytonutrients in cruciferous vegetables, bioflavenoids, cat's claw, alpha lipoic acid and glutathione.

All fresh fruit and vegetables are excellent sources of anti-oxidants and other phytonutrients (plant nutrients).

Damage caused by free radicals plays a role in almost every modern disease as well as in the ageing process. Everyone will benefit from taking additional anti-oxidants.

Question

What are the functions of anti-oxidants in the body?

Answer

• Anti-oxidants destroy free radicals. They donate electrons, thereby neutralising the free radicals and limiting the damage. This is a very important function in all chronic degenerative diseases, the treatment of AIDS, the prevention and treatment of cancer, the prevention of ageing and any other condition where there is an increased production of free radicals (such as participating in sports and in diabetes). Some anti-oxidants such as proanthocyanidin (pycnogenol), found in grape seeds and pine bark, and those in Ginkgo biloba, penetrate the blood-brain barrier and restrict the damage caused by free radicals inside the brain. This is especially important in the treatment and prevention of stroke, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
• Anti-oxidants directly boost the performance of the immune system. They increase the mature white blood cell count and improve the existing functioning of the immune system. They considerably improve the body's inherent ability to defend itself against pathogens. This involves healing and supporting the body's own activity, namely its defence mechanisms. A pathogen is any substance that has the potential to cause disease in the body (bacteria, viruses - including those that cause Aids, carcinogens, fungi and parasites).

Anti-oxidants alleviate the severity of symptoms associated with various infections and reduce the duration of infections. The frequency of infections also decreases markedly. In autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks its own cells, such as in systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease and Crohn's disease, anti-oxidants will enable the immune system to function more normally.

Anti-oxidants support people who have to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer. The therapy causes a considerable increase in free radical formation and it suppresses immune function as it kills off all fast growing cells (cancer cells grow at an abnormal rate, but the white blood cells, cells responsible for hair growth and the cells in the digestive tract also grow and divide rapidly).

This is why people who undergo these treatments suffer from so many side effects, including nausea, fatigue, hair loss and infections. Anti-oxidants boost the immune system and reduce the other side effects so that the cancer can be fought with a stronger immune system and a more positive mental attitude. Every person who is undergoing any form of cancer treatment should take anti-oxidant supplements. It is never too late to start. No matter how long you live, you can improve your quality of life. There are no contraindications - in fact, the therapy will be more effective.

• Anti-oxidants prevent the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol must be oxidised before it can penetrate the walls of the blood vessels to start the process of atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries). Anti-oxidants prevent this oxidation of LDL-cholesterol.
• Anti-oxidants form an integral part of the biochemical structure of the body's own anti-oxidant enzymes. Glutathione peroxidase (GP) increases the concentration of vitamin E thereby improving vitamin E's anti-oxidant effect. Selenium is an essential co-factor of glutathione peroxidase. Copper, manganese and zinc are part of the structure of superoxide dismutase. Anti-oxidants maintain and improve the activity and integrity of these essential enzymes.
• Anti-oxidants suppress and neutralise the effect of carcinogens, so that the triggering process in the development of cancer does not occur. Some anti-oxidants bind with cell receptors, and prevent the carcinogens from penetrating the cells.
• Anti-oxidants have the inherent ability to cause cancer cells to return to normal by restoring the growth control function of cells in the DNA molecule of the cell nucleus. Anti-oxidants can restore the essential communication between cells. The communication via gap junctions have a restrictive effect on the growth of cancerous cells. Cancer cells lose their ability to communicate with normal cells.

Question

Should I take all the anti-oxidants available or just one or two?

Answer

It is important to remember that anti-oxidants work best in synergy. Each anti-oxidant has a specific function in the body, but it needs the support of most of the other anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants work in a synchronised and synergistic manner - they never work on their own.

Scientists have not yet established all the different ways in which anti-oxidants and plant or phytonutrients work together. They are all linked to one another, work synergistically, depend on each other and are in balance. Ideally, they should be taken in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately, the percentage of people who consume the recommended five to nine portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day is estimated at less than 10 per cent of the total population.

Try to eat as many fresh fruit and vegetables as possible. Food such as raw honey, certain algae (e.g. spirulina and blue-green algae) and whole red grapes (skin and pips) contain most of the anti-oxidants and other micronutrients, but in very small quantities. It is, therefore essential for all of us to supplement our diet with a broad spectrum anti-oxidant formula. People who have cancer or any other chronic disease, should take twice the recommended dosage.

If you can divide your daily intake throughout the day, it is better than taking it all at once. This will ensure that levels of anti-oxidants in the blood remain constant.

When choosing anti-oxidants, the quantity of each individual ingredient is less important than finding a combination that contains as many anti-oxidants from a variety of plants (herbs, fruit, vegetables, etc.) in one product as possible.

Question

For which purpose or condition would you recommend grape seed extract (anti-oxidant)? These products are quite expensive.

Answer

Pycnogenol is one of the active plant- or phytochemicals found in grape seed and pine bark extract. It is an anti-oxidant that is able to penetrate the blood-brain-barrier to neutralise free radicals inside the brain – an important function after a stroke (brain attack) or to help Alzheimer’s patients. Pycnogenol is a potent free radical scavenger in the body that supports the immune system in cancer patients and for autoimmune diseases, maintains cardiovascular health, and so on. I recommend that you look for an anti-oxidant combination that has pycnogenol from grape seed or pine bark in, but that also contains other anti-oxidants to ensure a comprehensive supplement. (Refer to next question). It would be better value for your money.

Question

What are the best anti-oxidants to take in supplement form?

Answer

You should be able to make a good selection of anti-oxidants, with recommended daily intake, (lower range for a healthy person, higher dosage for existing disease), from the following list. You should get most of these by taking one or two products (one to four tablets) a day. Look for products that contain as many of the anti-oxidants as possible and ensure that you do not have to take eight tablets a day to get enough of everything. N-acetyl-L-cystein can be taken as a separate supplement.

• Beta and mixed carotenes (15 - 25mg) with vitamin A (2500 - 5 000 IU / 750 – 1500 microgram RE)
• Vitamin E and selenium (100-200 IU or 83-166 mg of vitamin E and 100-200 micrograms of selenium a day)
• Vitamin C (1000 - 2 000 mg)
• Minerals: zinc, copper and manganese (Zinc 15 mg, copper 2 mg and manganese 10 mg a day)
• Vitamin B-complex (25-100 mg plus 400 microgram folic acid and 50 microgram B12). The B-complex group of vitamins act as minor anti-oxidants. As cofactors, however, they are essential for the effective functioning of the anti-oxidant enzymes.

  Folic acid is essential for normal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the nucleus of every cell. Marginal deficiencies can lead to chromosome defects. Most adults have a folic acid deficiency, making supplementation essential. This is especially important in cancer where a malfunction in growth control caused by a genetically inherited DNA chromosome abnormality already exists. Vitamin B 12 and folic acid reverse early changes in lung cancer.

  Vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid are also very important for regulating the quantities of homocystein. They prevent the damage to blood vessels (atherosclerosis) associated with high levels of homocystein.

• Co-enzyme Q10 (10-20 mg twice a day)
• Cruciferous and carotenoid complexes

  Several anti-oxidant combinations contain extracts of broccoli, cabbage, mustard seed, acerola cherries, cauliflower, tomato, carrot, celery, turmeric and rosemary. These are all examples of fresh fruit and vegetables in which these complexes are present in high concentrations.

• Bioflavonoids as part of your general anti-oxidant combination

  Flavonoids are water-soluble phytochemicals which impart the water-soluble colour pigment to fruit, vegetables, cereals, seeds, leaves and tree bark.

  Supplements with proanthocyanidin (pycnogenol) in, contain extracts of pine bark or grape seed. Pycnogenol is responsible for the aroma and taste of really fresh fruit and vegetables. It is a potent anti-oxidant that is particularly important in the treatment of arthritis and disorders involving poor blood circulation such as diabetes, varicose veins and cardiovascular problems. Proanthocyanidin can penetrate the blood-brain barrier to carry out its anti-oxidant activity within the brain and protect brain cells from the damage of free radicals (important in Alzheimer's disease). It reinforces the capillaries and blood vessels - an important function after a stroke. It prevents atherosclerosis and is generally used for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

  Green and black tea contain catechins which provide protection against LDL-cholesterol oxidation and suppress the growth of many types of cancer. They also provide protection from the damage of free radicals caused by air pollution and smoking.

  Soy beans contain isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein. These bioflavonoids have weak oestrogen activity and protect against oestrogen-dependent cancer (breast cancer and cancer of the uterus) and prostate cancer by binding to cell receptors and preventing the body's potentially cancer-forming oestrogen from binding to them. Isoflavones are also recommended for treating symptoms of menopause, heart disease and osteoporosis.

  The onion family, including red onions, garlic, shallots and leeks contain flavonoids such as quercetin, vitamin C, selenium and sulphurous substances. Garlic provides protection against free radicals, prevents LDL-oxidative, provides protection against cancer and is used in the treatment and prevention of all types of infections. It improves immunity and reduces blood pressure. It acts as an expectorant (loosens phlegm) in respiratory tract infections. Garlic reduces fever and also acts as an antiseptic.

  Red onions are rich in quercetin, a bioflavonoid which acts as an expectorant in infections of the upper respiratory tract. Onions reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and prevent the formation of blood clots (in thrombosis, heart attacks and stroke). They also help to fight cancer.

• Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) (20-100 micrograms a day)

  ALA is the subject of ongoing research because it is such a potent anti-oxidant and delays and retards the onset of the ageing process.

  Considering the body's significant need to destroy free radicals, it produces very little ALA.

  ALA is also commonly used in the treatment of diabetes and to support the liver's detoxification ability. It is effective in neutralising toxic metals, medication and other metabolites.

  Spinach, liver, red meat and broccoli are excellent sources of ALA.

• Ginkgo biloba (120-160 mg a day in divided doses)
• The amino acids L-cystein (500 mg a day) and N-acetyl-L-cystein (500 mg a day on an empty stomach) are both part of the protein glutathione and both act as very potent neutralisers and scavengers of free radicals on their own. Together with glutathione and selenium, they form the extremely strong anti-oxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. L-cystein (L-cys) and N-acetyl-L-cystein (NAC) can be taken as separate supplements. They will be converted to glutathione in the body, along with selenium.

  Vitamin C and B6 should also be taken with all amino acids. Unlike vitamins, amino acids are absorbed best when taken on an empty stomach.

Question

What is a good anti-oxidant combination for someone with heart disease and high cholesterol to take?

Answer

The recommended dosage and combination for those suffering from cardiovascular disease or high cholesterol with atherosclerosis: Vitamin E (400 IU or 332 mg,) B6 (50 mg) and B12 (50 microgram), including folic acid (400 microgram) are the most important. They are inexpensive and easy to take. These are extremely effective in preventing the accumulation of homocystein, one of the most important risk factors for heart disease. You can also include some of the other anti-oxidants mentioned above.

Question

I have heard that grapefruit seed extract has a similar effect to antibiotics and that you can take 10 drops twice or three times a day for a bacterial, fungal or parasitical infection. Do you agree?

Answer

Research has shown that grapefruit seed extract (rich in citrus bioflavonoids) is effective against some intestinal pathogens (disease causing organisms) such as Candida albicans and other candida species (fungi), some Eschericia coli (bacteria) species and with a slight effect on Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria). It has shown no side effects (except for the bitter taste!) and the normal bowel flora stay unaffected. It is effective as part of the natural treatment of constipation, flatulence and abdominal discomfort, as well as for bladder infections, thrush and vaginal candida infection.

- Dr Arien van der Merwe

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