Food and Health Articles

Antioxidant Complex powerful cell protectors

Free Radicals seem to accelerate the aging process. In the worst case scenario and over a long time period, such damage can become irreversible and lead to disease (like cancer). Good thing there is something out there that can help remove free radicals from your body. These free radical-fighting compounds are called antioxidants. Antioxidants are a group of nutrients that can reduce the risk of numerous disorders that may be caused by free radical damage.

There is growing evidence that persons that supplement with antioxidants are more vigorous and less prone to disease. Our Antioxidant Complex is a comprehensive formula that will help protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidant Complex includes the popular staples of beta-carotene, vitamin C & E, and selenium. Also included are the free radical scavengers: N-Acetyl cysteine, Alpha Lipoic Acid and and several herbs that contain flavonoids and have potent antioxidant potential. 

Antioxidant Complex is a formula that is comprised of the powerful cell protectors; antioxidants. It is important to take antioxidants in combination because they work synergistically, and are more beneficial together than they are alone. Antioxidants are essential components to optimal health. Antioxidants are a group of nutrients that can reduce the risk of numerous disorders that may becaused by free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause serious damage to cellular structure; DNA, enzymes,lipids and proteins.Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene)

Beta-carotene is a member of the carotenoid family, carotenoids are plant compounds that provide the yellow, orange and red colorations in fruits and vegetables. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage to the body.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C has many health benefits, but it is primarily recognized for supporting immune function, and as a powerful
antioxidant and cell protector. It is the most powerful water soluble antioxidant, playing an essential role in protecting the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. It helps to neutralize the potentially harmful reactions in the blood and the fluids surrounding the cells. Vitamin C may also protect other antioxidants, such as Vitamin E.

Vitamin E
In the past 20 years, Vitamin E has been discovered to be a potent fat soluble antioxidant that prevents the oxidation of lipids. Since cell membranes are composed of lipids, it is vital to the stability and integrity of cellular tissues and membranes in the body. Its effectiveness is increased when taken with other antioxidants, especially Beta Carotene, Vitamin C and Selenium. There are numerous studies that support the claim that Vitamin E is beneficial to cardiovascular health.

Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential to optimal health and has numerous health benefits.
Calcium helps with many metabolic processes.

Zinc
Zinc has antioxidant properties of its own, but is important to proper maintenance of Vitamin E levels in the blood. It also
improves the activity of vitamin A. Moreover, it is a constituent of the powerful antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), SOD is an endogenous enzyme (an enzyme made by the body) that revitalizes cells and reduces the rate of cell destruction.

Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral and potent antioxidant. It works synergistically with Vitamin E to protect cells from free radicals; this team may support immune and cardiovascular health. Selenium is an important part of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which works with Vitamin E to help prevent free radical damage to cell membranes. Selenium also protects the body form heavy metal toxicity. It is important to note that Selenium is toxic at doses of more than one milligram per day.

Copper
Copper is a component of the enzyme Superoxide dismutase, an important antioxidant. It is also a component of the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase, an enzyme that regulates vitamin C metabolism and the synthesis of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. It is necessary for the production and function of hemoglobin and is a building block of collagen and elastin.

Manganese
Manganese, along with copper and zinc is an important component of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. It is also necessary for growth and maintenance of tissues, cartilage and bones. Manganese is a factor in glucose intolereance. N-Acetyl cysteine N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a derivative of cysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid. It assists the body in the conversion of cysteine to glutathionine, a powerful antioxidant. NAC assists in liver detoxification of harmful environmental and biological toxins. Studies indicate that it may help to support healthy blood pressure, cholesterol balance and weight

Green Tea
Green tea contains several compounds that have antioxidant properties. The active constituents are the polyphenols called catechins and tannins. The catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may be a much more potent antioxidant than Vitamin C and E

Boldo
Boldo is an herb that has been used traditionally in Chile as a remedy for digestive health. Its use in traditional medicine worldwide is well documented. It is commonly used to support proper liver, gallbladder and bowel function. It is rich in several phytochemicals, 17 that have been identified thus far. Research has been conducted on boldine, an alkaloid that may be the responsible for much of the biological activity of this plant. Research on boldine indicates that it may show promise as an antioxidant and support healthy liver function. Additional studies reported that boldine displays an antioxidant effect in the blood.

Garlic
Current research supports what has long been recognized, that Garlic has several healing properties. It is rich in selenium, a building block of the powerful antioxidant glutathione perioxidase. Studies indicate that it supports cardiovascular health. Moreover, certain types of aged garlic have been reported to help protect the liver from potentially harmful chemicals and drugs

Hawthorn
Hawthorn's flowers, leaves and berries are all used in herbal supplements. Each is high in flavonoid content, which gives the plant powerful antioxidant properties. Hawthorn contains three groups of compounds, which are key to the plant's positive effects on the cardiovascular system. These constituent groups are the triterpenoid saponins, the amines and the flavonoids. By inhibiting free radical formation, hawthorn's antioxidant activity can be beneficial in maintaining healthy heart vessels and promoting overall cardiovascular health.

Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), a member of the sunflower family, has been used to support liver health for more than 2,000 years. The standardized extract of Milk Thistle is comprised of compounds, called silymarin, which research indicates have antihepatotoxic (liver protectant) properties. These compounds function as antioxidants, protecting cell membranes from freeradical- mediated oxidative damage. In addition, these compounds protect red blood cell membranes against lipid peroxidation and hemolysis (breaking down of the red blood cells) caused by certain red blood cell poisons. Moreover, Milk Thistle may increase the effectiveness of the glutathione in the liver.

Quercetin
Quercetin is a potent bioflavonoid that has many health benefits. As an antioxidant, it may support cardiovascular health.
Research shows promise that Quercetin protects LDL cholesterol from oxidizing in the arteries and it may guard cellular DNA from free-radical damage.

Red Grape (seed and skin)
According to recorded history, grapes were the first crops known to be planted by man. Wine has been used as a drink and for its medicinal properties for more than 6,000 years. Scientists conducted research on red grapes after noticing that moderate wine drinkers lived longer and had a lower incidence of cancer than teetotalers. The extract from grape seeds and skins is rich in flavonoids, which are plant substances that help protect cells from free radical damage. These extracts contain procyandolic oligomers (PCOs), also known as Proanthocyanidins. These compounds support cardiovascular health by preventing the formation of blood clots, and preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Rosemary
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an evergreen shrub that originated in the Mediterranean. Today it is used as both a
spice and therapeutically. Researchers believe that the Antioxidant properties of Rosemary are due to its high concentration of carnosic acid. When carnosic acid donates hydrogen to quench a free radical, it forms carnosol, which in turn forms rosmanol, another antioxidant. Therefore, carnosic acid has more than one “life” as an antioxidant.

Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an herb that has been used in Ayurvedic Medicine for many years. It is a member of the ginger family. Turmeric possesses antioxidant compounds known as curcuminoids, of which curcumin has been found to be most potent. These compounds help prevent the buildup of excess free radicals. They also neutralize existing free radicals by scavenging them. It also has been shown to support healthy liver function and digestion.

Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid increases glutathione levels and is itself a scavenger of free radicals everywhere in the body. In addition, it recycles other antioxidants, specifically vitamin C and vitamin E, enhancing their potency. It has the unique ability to be active in both water and fat compartments in the body; most antioxidants are active in either one or the other. Thus, Alpha Lipoic Acid is sometimes referred to as a “universal antioxidant” and is more effective in neutralizing free radicals than the majority of it’s counterparts.

Black Pepper
Black Pepper is best known for being a culinary spice, but it also has a 4,000-year-old medicinal history. The active constituent is an alkaloid called piperine, which also gives black pepper its distinctive flavor. Historically it has been used by herbalists to reduce fevers and to treat bronchial complaints. It may support healthy circulation and digestion. Clinical studies conducted on piperine indicate that it may increase the bioavailability of other nutrients; researchers theorize that piperine increases thermogenic activity in the body.

Ginkgo
Ginkgo is most renowned for its positive effects on brain function and circulation. However, scientists have discovered that Ginkgo is chockfull of antioxidants, Vitamin C and carotenoids. Ginkgo possesses flavonoids, all flavonoid are antioxidants, though some are stronger than others. Researchers have discovered that herbs such as Ginkgo that have a complex of flavonoids are more potent than their individual components. Ginkgo is one of the most powerful plant-based antioxidants, sometimes referred to as a “super antioxidant”.