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Articles>
Free Radicals
1 Sep 2006
by Jenine Cohoon, MHN, PhDc
As printed in the Lakeshore Guardian September 2006
Our magnificent bodies work hard to maintain maximum stability and increased health. As a living organism, it constantly strives to be its best by working towards optimal functioning and performance. The body is relentless in wanting to achieve this. The body gets its drive to do this and instructions on how to do it from our DNA (deoxynucleic acid) code. Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that can damage the DNA code. Good news though, our bodies come to their own rescue as they are equipped with a basic and universal process to protect its DNA code. This process is called DNA repair. DNA repair is regarded as an essential event in the human body.
If you are experiencing ill health or disease (or you just don't feel your best), you may be thinking that your body has lost the ability to repair its DNA, or is a body that has given up on working towards optimal health. I don't believe that is true. I believe that no matter what the situation, the body continues to strive for increased health but there are obstacles to overcome first.
A significant obstacle may be free radical damage. Free radicals can damage the DNA code, which can lead to ill health and diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The body implements DNA repair all the time, but if the amount of free radicals is overwhelming due to things found in our environment and what we put in (and on) our bodies, then our bodies have a hard time keeping up with the challenge. Our immune system becomes compromised, and disease begins (or, disease becomes challenging to reverse).
What is a free radical? A free radical is an atom or molecule with an unpaired electron. Our bodies are made up of cells. Our cells are made up of molecules. Molecules are made up of one or more atoms that are joined together by chemical bonds. These atoms are made up of several parts, but the part of interest in regards to free radicals is the electron, more specifically, the number of electrons it has. A free radical is simply an atom with an odd number of electrons in its outer ring. In the body's quest for maximum stability, molecules and atoms constantly gain or lose electrons that are found in its outer shell. It will either fill or empty its outer shell electrons or bond with other atoms to complete the outer shell. When weak bonds split, free radicals are formed. They are unstable and react quickly trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability by attacking the nearest stable molecule. It steals its electron. The attacked molecule also becomes a free radical, starting a chain reaction.
Our magnificent bodies are equipped to handle these free radicals, and do so beautifully, unless there is an overload of free radicals and/or there are not enough free radical scavengers (antioxidants) within us. The body produces its own antioxidants through enzymes, but when there is an overload of free radicals, our bodies are unable to produce enough. Antioxidants help because they donate one of their own electrons that ends the "stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrient doesn't become a free radical because it is stable in its form. They act as scavengers to help prevent cell and tissue damage that can lead to disease. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage. Cellular damage is the common pathway for cancer, heart disease, aging and a variety of other diseases.
Free radicals can be caused by environmental pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides. Free radicals can also be caused by food we eat such as margarine, partially hydrogenated oil, sugar and alcohol to name a few. They are also a result of aging and normal metabolism as the immune system works to neutralize virus and bacteria.
Free radicals create damage through the chemical reaction that they cause. This chemical reaction can lead to a breakdown, or a hardening, of lipids which make up the cell wall. If this happens it becomes impossible for the cell to get its nutrients, or signals from other cells, as well as accomplishing other critical cellular activities. The cell walls are also susceptible to damage which leads to DNA and RNA (ribonucleic acid, a DNA transmitter) damage. All levels of cell function can be disrupted when free radicals are present.
Science has long held that damage by free radicals may be the source of illness and disease that come with aging, including heart disease and cancer. There is firm evidence that a high consumption of quality fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cancer and that a low intake of these nutrients increases the risk.
The antioxidant value of a food or supplement can be determined by its ORAC rating. ORAC means Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. According to the University of Michigan, Comprehensive Cancer Center, the measurement of ORAC is a way to measure how many free radicals a food or supplement can absorb. The more free radicals a food or supplement can absorb, the higher its ORAC score. The higher the ORAC score, the more that food or supplement can help to fight diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Many experts agree that we should consume at least 5,000 ORAC units per day to effectively fight free radicals in the body. Unfortunately, most of us average only 1,200 units per day. This is not nearly enough to protect us, and completely ineffective when trying to trigger the body into rejuvenation and renewal (natural disease reversal).
The best external source for antioxidants is raw and living foods that are not processed, cooked or preserved. One of the best food sources of antioxidants are berries, fruits and vegetables. Many of the fruits and vegetables that score the highest ORAC rating are also potent antifungals.
Ranked in order of ORAC score of the top scoring fruits and vegetables, the following chart can guide you in natural sources of potent antioxidants. Take special notice of the extremely high ORAC score for Goji berries (Chinese Wolfberries). They taste great and are fun to eat.
There are also many supplements that deliver high ORAC values and should be considered when reversing disease and striving for optimal health and wellness. Consider taking Vitamin C, grape seed extract, the complete grape extract with resveratrol or a potent vitamin and mineral supplement such as Damage Control Master Formula.
Consider a whole natural foods diet for optimal health. Include these potent antioxidants and natural antifungals daily, along with an effective antioxidant supplement. After about 30 days, noticeable results may become evident, and your body will thank you!
Congratulations to those who have joined the Phase One Diet challenge! The challenge continues! Join now, or reaffirm your commitment. The Phase One diet is step one of the antifungal program. Join the National Challenge by visiting www.drjenine.com. Make your commitment, along with hundreds of others, who like you, want better health, more energy, weight loss, normalization of body functions, and a decrease in "messengers" (symptoms). Whether you are taking the challenge for the first time, or are renewing your commitment, we welcome you aboard to better health.
For more information on products discussed here, for books by Doug Kaufmann and Cass Ingram, for products discussed on Know the Cause by Doug Kaufmann and his guests, and for my own personal recommendations as a holistic nutritional consultant, visit me at www.drjenine.com.
References:
*DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to either directly or indirectly diagnose, give medical advice or prescribe treatment. Unless specifically referenced, the information has not been scientifically validated or approved by any government or regulatory agency. Please consult with your physician or other licensed health care professional for medical diagnosis and treatment. Recommendations are based on nutritional support to rejuvenate the body and based solely on what I would do for specific needs.
Jenine Cohoon, MHN, PhDc
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to either directly or indirectly give medical advice or prescribe treatment. Unless specifically referenced, the information has not been scientifically validated or approved by the FDA or any government or regulatory agency. Please consult with your physician or other licensed health care professional for medical diagnosis and treatment.
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