The Immortal Cell?
Dr. Alexis Carrell, of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, performed an amazing experiment in the early 1900's He managed to sustain the life of heart tissue from a chicken embryo by immersing it in a solution containing all the nutrients necessary for life. The cells took up nutrients from the nutrient-rich broth and excreted their metabolic wastes into the same solution. Each day the old solution was discarded and replaced with fresh broth. The chicken tissue lived for 29 years until one night Dr. Carrell's assistant forgot to change the polluted solution!

Dr. Carrell stated, "The cell is immortal. It is merely the fluid in which it floats which degenerates. Renew this fluid at intervals, give the cell something on which to feed and, so far as we know, the pulsation of life may go on forever." While many of us might not agree that people could live forever, some scientists believe that the human body is capable of living at least 120 years.

Every cell in our body excretes metabolic waste material which becomes toxic to our bodies if we allow it to build up faster than we renew the fluid in which it floats. Unfortunately, many of us do not feed our cells with optimal nutrition in our diets. This sets the stage for premature aging and degenerative diseases which plague our population today.

Thanks to current nutritional research, scientists are discovering the anti-aging, health- promoting effects of certain nutrients called antioxidants. Antioxidants protect our cells against the destructive effects of free radicals-highly reactive molecules which can corrode our cellular membranes and damage our DNA (our genetic blueprint). This "oxidation" process ages our minds and muscles and can lead to over 60 degenerative diseases, including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.(1,2)

A Little Terminology
What's a free radical? Chemically, free radicals are molecule fragments that are searching for a mate with which to bond. The outer shells of their structures contain an "unpaired electron," and they attack our cell membranes, frantically stealing electrons to fill up their own shells. Once inside the cell, they cause mutations in the DNA. This process continues in a massive chain reaction unless a sufficient supply of antioxidants is present to stop the process.(2 3)

Our bodies normally produce a small, constant supply of free radicals during metabolic processes. Some free radicals involve themselves in our immune defense system to destroy harmful bacteria and viruses. However, it is their excess production that destroys and ages our normal cells, the very foundation of life itself. In addition, exposure to outside--and often controllable--influences such as chemicals, poor diet and radiation makes them proliferate with a domino effect.

The Oxygen Paradox
Oddly enough, the very element that makes it possible for us to live--oxygen--also wreaks havoc with our cells through oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids.(article 2 in stack) Scientists consider free radicals to be the geatest contributing factor to aging. By destroying cells and mutating DNA, they cause cummulative damage leading to numerous degenerative diseases and premature aging. The “disease” of aging ultimately ends with the cessation of life.(l 2)

Oxygen-based Free Radicals
The most damaging of the oxygen-based free radicals is the hydroxyl radical.(3) Other harmful free radicals include the superoxide ion, singlet oxygen, the peroxyl radical, the polyunsaturated fatty acid radical, oxidized protein and hydrogen peroxide (which can produce manv other free radicals).(2) These free radicals oxidize (steal electrons from) the cell membranes, essentially perforating them, causing cell damage both externally and internally. The brain is particularly vulnerable to free radical attack because it generates more free radicals per gram of tissue than any other organ.(4) This explains why senility and other conditions of the central nervous system plague many of our elderly.

Antioxidants to the Rescue
Antioxidants scavenge free radicals, attracting them and neutralizing their charge before they can do damage to cellular structures. Since the physical basis of life exists on the cellular level, antioxidants play a major role in maintaining health and youthful vigor by preserving the integrity of individual cells which make up the whole body. By protecting cells from the onslaught of free radicals, an optimal supply of antioxidants can help the body avoid premature aging.(l,2)

The reputation of vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene, as well as the minerals selenium and zinc, as potent antioxidants is well-documented. In addition, the body itself produces certain amounts of other potent antioxidants, including melatonin, CoQl0 and glutathione. However, their production declines with age. It is understandable that the "diseases of aging" would appear as these levels decline. Supplementation can restore youthful levels of these powerful internal antioxidants.

Other Antioxidant Superstars
In recent years, scientists have discovered the powerful antioxidant properties of other nutrients and herbals.

Proanthocyanidins. Research on proanthocyanidins (from both grape seed and maritime pine bark) has indicated that they are 50 times more effective than vitamin E and 20 times more effective than vitamin C in scavenging free radicals.(s) Proanthocyanidins work with vitamin C to help regenerate collagen and shield it from free-radical attacks; strengthen and restore permeability of capillaries to allow more oxygen, nutrients, enzymes and hormones to pass through cell membranes to renew and feed all 60 trillion of the body's cells.(6) This "protect and repair" function promotes smoothness and elasticity of skin, improved circulation in the eyes and extremities, and increased memory capacitv (since proanthocyanidins cross the blood-brain barrier). Proanthocyanidins have been shown to have a positive effect in heart disease, varicose veins and edema, diabetic retinopathy, and other degenerative processes.(6) Dr. David White of the University of Nottingham in England calls proanthocyanidins "the atherosclerosis antidote."

Ginkgo Biloba Long associated with longevity, it now appears that a concentrated 24:1 standardized extract of ginkgo biloba may promote longevity and resistance to aging in humans. Ginkgo biloba extract has demonstrated remarkable effects on circulatory and nervous system functions, including enhanced energy, increased cellular glucose intake, inhibition of blood platelet aggregation (reducing "stickiness" within arteries), increased blood flow to the brain, improved transmission of nerve signals, and free radical scavenging activity.(l,6)

Ginkgo biloba extract (120 mg. per day) has significantly reduced major cardiovascular insufficient symptoms: short term memory loss, tinnitis (ringing in the ears), lack of vigilance, vertigo, headache and depression. Improved cerebral blood flow provides increased oxygen and glucose to the brain to relieve many of the presumed “side effects” of aging. The Chinese have used ginkgo biloba for over 5,000 years for respiratory disorders . (l,6)

Green Tea Extract Green tea, another anti-aging herb used for centuries by the Chinese and Japanese, has demonstrated potent antioxidant and anticancer properties, being very high in polyphenols. Whereas black tea (the fermented form of green tea) may increase the risk of certain cancers, green tea consumption may inhibit the formation of nitrosamines during a meal; increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes; and inhibit mutagenesis and carcinogenesis by chemopreventative action in humans. Green tea extract also hum block the formation of tumors. Green tea consumption is believed to be a major reason for the lower cancer rate in Japan and China.(6)

Milk Thistle Silymarin, a potent antioxidant and flavonoid complex of the herb milk thistle, prevents free radical damage, particularly within the liver. Its administration may reduce mortaility from cirrhosis, aid detoxification of harmful environmental chemicals, and exert significant protection for the liver against hepatitis and chemical or alcohol-induced fatty liver. It may also improve immune function in immunocompromised patients. In addition, other possible applications for milk thistle may include atherosclerosis, gallbladder disease and psoriasis. The antioxidant activity of a 65% standardized extract of milk thistle greatly surpasses that of vitamin E.(6)

Quercitin Quercitin, another flavonoid, appears to reduce allergic processes, inhibit the infectiousness and/or replication of both RNA and DNA viruses, and inhibit mast cell degranulation which causes tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. It inhibits the release of histamine (and other inflammatory mediators) by stablizing mast cells and basophils; inhibits several enzymes (including lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase) to prevent inflammation; and decreases leukotriene formation, lipid peroxidation and collagen breakdown. Most studies on quercitin also show it to suppress tumor formation.(7)

CoQl0 This vital antioxidant plays a special biochemical role in the production of ATP, the basic energy molecule of all cells. CoQl0 plays a crucial part in immune system enhancement and anti-aging processes. Dr. Emile Bliznakov of the Lupus Research Institute in Ridgefield, CT, showed that CoQI0 supplementation can double the immune system’s abilitv to clear invading organisms from the blood; double antibody levels; protect against chemically induced cancer; increase resistance to viral infections; reduce the toxicity of immunosuppressive drugs used in cancer treatment; and quench free radicals associated with arthritis and other chronic degenerative diseases.(s) Not well-absorbed when taken in two-piece hard gelatin capsules or tablets produced by standard methods, CoQI0 becomes more bioavailable when chewed and swallowed with vitamin E, encouraging absorption through the lymphatic system.

Melatonin The most spectacular star on the nutritional horizon, melatonin may exhibit the greatest antioxidant/anti- aging effects yet.(3) Endogenous (body-produced) melatonin, a hormone of the pineal gland, is derived from tryptophan via serotonin. This pathway may explain melatonin's reputation as a "natural sleeping aid" when taken before bedtime. Newsweek Magazine (Ausust 7, 1995) reports that scientists say melatonin could "reset the body's aging clock. turning back the ravages of time. "Melatonin levels decline steadily with aging. In an Italian study, mice supplemented with melatonin outlived their life expectancies by nearly one third!(s) Research suggests that melatonin supplementation may enhance the immune system, protect our cells from disintegration, slow tumor and cataract growth, and offer protection against heart disease. When Ponce de Leon searched for the Fountain of Youth, maybe he was looking for the wrong fountain!

Sources of Antioxidants
Hundreds of scientific studies over the past four decades indicate that to increase our chances of living longer in a healthier state, we must take aim at free radicals and confront them head-on with an optimal barrage of antioxidant Studies indicate that optimal protective amounts of some antioxidants, such as vitamin E and possibly zinc, cannot be obtained solely through the diet. A diet high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as a wide selection of natural nutritional supplements, are easily available for encouraging your optimal health.

Free radical pathology encompasses many disease states and degenerative conditions including atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, various cancers, cataracts, macular degeneration, arthritis, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, sickle-cell anemia, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Meniere's disease, some prostate problems, psoriasis, senility, diverticulitis, tinnitis, memory loss, emphysema, cholesterol oxidation, immune dysfunction, high blood pressure, heart attacks, chronic bronchitis, periodontal disease, stroke, hypertriglyceridemia, vertigo, hearing loss due to reduced blood flow, abnormal blood clotting, congestive heart failure, inflammation, autism, allergies, hemorrhoids, AIDS and many others.

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