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Many people today are becoming more aware of using antioxidants (from specific foods or supplements) to combat oxidative stress. When asked why antioxidant strategies are taken, many say they fear oxidative damage to their DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a molecule containing genetic instructions for building cells.
These fears may be justified. The fact is, the resulting mutation from oxidized DNA may trigger pathological outcomes, including cancer, neurological degeneration and organ failure. Other oxidation targets include proteins, cell membranes, lysosomes, mitochondria, blood and tissue lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins or antioxidant molecules themselves. So, how does oxidative stress begin and what attacks the DNA?
Oxidative Stress on our DNA
Our bodies use oxygen to create energy as fuel for our cells, forming by-products in the process. Carbon dioxide and water are two such by-products, but others include reactive oxygen species (ROS), which have both beneficial and potentially dangerous roles in human physiology.
ROS are reactive species because they lack an electron. This electron deficiency then forces the reactive species to aggressively seek a new one from any source, including cell membranes and DNA. Usually, the ROS are neutralized by antioxidants our bodies form (endogenous antioxidants, e.g., glutathione) and by antioxidants provided from food (dietary antioxidants, e.g., phenolics).
Reactive Oxygen Species-the good side, the bad side
The beneficial roles of ROS include antibacterial and antiviral actions, cell-to-cell signaling (such as by nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide), stimulation of enzyme functions, and regulation of cells controlling release of hormones. That's the good. However, when your body produces more ROS than needed to perform these useful functions, and when you body doesn't have enough antioxidant reserves, this creates a positive-ROS state, or oxidative stress.
How to possibly prevent an oxidative attack
Even during healthy and normal metabolism - but worsened by exposure to added environmental pathogens such as ultraviolet radiation, smoke or other pollutants - the ROS (which are formed continuously) are attacking each cell in our bodies thousands of times per minute or more than a million times per day!
When counterbalancing antioxidant mechanisms are insufficient, DNA lesions occur, including loss or oxidation of base material and breaks of DNA strands. The good news is that not all DNA lesions become pathogenic, as our cells (hard-workers, indeed) also contain mending functions for correcting the DNA injury, called base excision repair (BER).
While it works to repair most of the time, BER may not fully correct all injuries to DNA, leading to mutated DNA, as found in carcinogenesis, aging or age-related diseases.
Give your body a "metabolic tune-up"
For 20 years, Dr. Bruce N. Ames of the University of California-Berkeley has analyzed ROS-initiated DNA lesions, aging onset and disease progression, and has advocated nutritional remedies as protection, including dietary supplementation with lipoic acid, acetylcarnitine, folic acid, biotin, vitamins C, E, B6 (pyridoxine) and -12 (cyanocobalamin), iron and zinc. Together, these nutrients provide what Dr. Ames has coined a "metabolic tune-up."
An excerpt from a 2002 publication in the Annals of the NY Academy of Science (partly edited)
In feeding studies in old rats, these mitochondrial metabolites and antioxidants furnish several benefits that include :
1) arresting the age-associated decline of ambulatory activity and memory,
2) partially restoring mitochondrial structure and function,
3) inhibiting age-associated increase of oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids,
4) elevating levels of antioxidants,
5) restoring activity and substrate binding affinity of a key mitochondrial enzyme, carnitine acetyltransferase.
These mitochondrial metabolites and antioxidants:
1) protect neuronal cells from neurotoxin- and oxidant-induced toxicity and oxidative damage;
2) delay the normal aging of human fibroblast cells,
3) inhibit oxidant-induced acceleration of aging.
These results suggest a plausible mechanism: with age, increased oxidative damage to proteins and lipid membranes, particularly in mitochondria, causes a) a deformation of enzyme structure, with b) a consequent decrease of enzyme activity as well as c) substrate binding affinity for their substrates. An increased level of substrate restores the velocity of the reaction and restores mitochondrial function, thus delaying mitochondrial decay and aging.
So, if you want fight reactive oxygen radicals, eat the right antioxidant foods.
References and Reading
* Liu J, Atamna H, Kuratsune H, Ames BN. Delaying brain mitochondrial decay and aging with mitochondrial antioxidants and metabolites. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Apr;959:133-66.
* Ames BN. A role for supplements in optimizing health: the metabolic tune-up. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2004 Mar 1;423(1):227-34.
* PubMed, online database of the US National Library of Medicine,
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Oxidative Stress,
Reading and References
* Nutrient Data Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture,
* Phytochemical database of the USDA, Agricultural Research Service,
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia,
Copyright 2006 Berry Health Inc.
Most people know to watch their cholesterol levels. Of course, this is not usually a concern until you hit about 40-50, then everybody watches their cholesterol. Everybody knows that cholesterol causes cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death, but there is another important piece to this puzzle that may be missing.
Cholesterol is needed by your body for repair, and health. Cholesterol is important to your good health. In fact, it was found that people with cholesterol levels that are too low, may suffer from depression and increased suicides. We are told that cholesterol levels above 200 means high risk, but did you know that as much as 40% of heart attack victims have cholesterol under 200?
So what are you missing?
Cholesterol alone does not cause atherosclerosis. It is the oxidation of the LDL cholesterol that causes the problem. This may be one reason why lowering your cholesterol does lower your risk. There are literally hundreds of research articles written every year that identify oxidation as the key risk factor.
Oxidation does not stop there. It may be responsible for many other age related disorders as well. Disorders such as cataracts, macular degeneration, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, "age" or liver spots, aging, wrinkles and more, are all believed to be caused by free radical damage.
Free radicals cause damage by stealing electrons from other molecules, causing a cascading effect, damaging other molecules as it goes. This becomes a problem when it effects DNA, or cellular reproduction. Keep in mind that your body regenerates, and renews itself, so why is it that we seem to deteriorate? When a damaged cell reproduces, it creates a replica of itself. When you are young, and at 100%, it takes a while before you notice this damage. This is why, I believe, there is a misconception that disorders such as poor digestion, intestinal irregularities, arthritis, age spots, cataracts, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and so on... are an inevitable part of aging.
So what can you do about it?
Well, for starters, reducing inflammation in your body will help. Try and eat more whole foods, and less processed foods. Avoid foods that you are allergic to. Most people have undiagnosed food sensitivities. I have not met anybody that does not have at least a couple. These undiagnosed food sensitivities can add stress to your body, as well as cause inflammation. It's best to have an ELISA blood test done to identify these foods so you can limit, or avoid them. Avoid transfatty acids and foods that are high in sugars and fats. Avoid foods that have a high glycemic load. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Many people do not even get their RDA of essential vitamins and minerals. The RDA was set as a median level for healthy people. Stress, inflammation, chemicals, drugs, pollution, cigarette smoke, coffee, alcohol, sugar, disease, all increase your need for vitamins and minerals, so, like mom always said: Eat Your Veggies! Many people could benefit from supplements as well, since for some, its not possible to get enough from their food. Reduce stress levels. This is a big one. Implement some form of a stress relief program. Watching TV is not a stress relief program... sorry.
Have your oxidation levels tested. This is a simple test, no needles, no pain, and can even be done by a lab through the mail. It can tell you a lot more about your cardiovascular risk potential, than just your cholesterol numbers alone. When I do this test, I prefer to do a complete metabolic test, since it will yield a more complete picture.
After about age 30, your hydrochloric acid in your stomach decreases in strength which puts a strain on your body and causes various imbalances, not to mention most seniors have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 due to decreased intrinsic factor.
oxidation is a simple thing to combat, but it can have far reaching effects. There is even strong research to indicate that oxidative damage may be at the root of disorders such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Fortunately, its easy to detect and adjust for. To find out more on metabolic testing, or oxidation testing, click
Maintaining your good health, or reaching a state of wellness does not have to be difficult. It also does not mean you need to spend $500/mo in supplements, and never enjoy a piece of chocolate cake again. If you make small changes, and use these simple, informative tests as a guide, your small changes can have a big impact on your health.