Free radicals are waste products that result from processes as simple as breathing. Their development can be influenced by bodily processes (metabolism), environmental stressors and toxins (such as chemicals, smoke and radiation), harmful UV light, and immune system deficiencies. In-vitro test tube and animal laboratory studies have shown that inflammation caused by many of these factors generates free radical formation and can cause significant damage at the cellular level.
Technically speaking, free radicals are highly reactive molecules that carry at least one negative electrical charge as a result of having one or more un-paired electrons. Because they seek stability by grabbing electrons from other molecules (a process known as “oxidation”), they damage the existing molecules from which they steal electrons.
The prime molecules most at risk from free radicals are lipids, proteins and DNA, and it’s the job of antioxidants to fight the damage caused by these free radicals – chain reactions of stealing/replacing electrons, resulting in cell impairment and even cell death.
Free radical damage to lipids can lead to the oxidation of LDL’s (low density lipoproteins), the so-called “bad cholesterol,” and they can also do damage to blood vessel linings and adversely affect blood flow to vital organs. Damage to proteins by free radicals may result in glycosylation, an adverse combination of proteins and carbohydrates which may lead to disease, while free radical damage to DNA increases with age and can overwhelm cells, leading to impaired cell function and eventual cell death. Free radicals can also cause DNA mutation, provoking unchecked cell growth.
Free radicals can not only mutate cells, they can interfere with “good” cells that help limit abnormal cell growth. In addition, mitochondria, the body’s power plant cells, are susceptible to attack, leaving them unable to meet the body’s energy needs as it ages. Mitochondrial DNA has very few repair mechanisms and as such its membranes are more easily damaged than other types of DNA.
There are many studies linking free radical damage to the aging process. The first of these, “Free Radical Theory of Aging,” was postulated by Denham Harman in 1956 (J Gerontol 1956 11(3); 298-300) and again in 1981 (Proc Nat’l Acad Scifi USA 1981 November, 78(11): 7124-7128). “DNA Damage Theory of Aging” was first identified in 1959 by physicist Leo Szilard (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 45(1): 30-45) and later argued by HL Gensler and H Bernstein et al (Q Rev Biol 1981 56(3): 279-303).
The health benefits to the individual of antioxidants include:
- Fighting daily stress by counteracting the negative effects of stress hormone production (epinephrine and
norepinephrine – the “fight/flight” hormones).*
- Decreasing the incidence of “sticky blood,” or platelet aggregation.*
- Promoting normal and healthy histamine levels in the body.*
- Promoting normal and healthy inflammatory response.*
- Protecting against degenerative processes in the body that can lead to organ and tissue damage.*
- Helping the body maintain normal and healthy cholesterol levels.*
- Mitigating cell mutation and explosive oxidative chain reactions involving detrimental, damaging mutant cells.*
- Boosting the immune system.*
Açai
Regarded by experts as a nutritional powerhouse, açai (Euterpe oleracea) is one of the most complete fruits known to man. Containing large concentrations of antioxidants known as anthocyanins, açai helps protect the body at the cellular level.*
Açai grows exclusively in the tall palm trees along the flood plains of Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, and has been a staple of that country’s diet for centuries. Historically, Brazilians have used açai as an energy source, to ease digestive problems, and to help with certain skin conditions. They consume açai as an ingredient in beverages, smoothies, sauces and marinades, yogurt, and frozen dessert cups.
The size of a small cherry and made up of a thin layer of deep purple/red flesh that surrounds a large fibrous seed, this South American super fruit is extraordinarily low in carbohydrates (2% total compared to 10% in most other fruits). As a result, açai is a healthy alternative to high sugar fruits and especially to fruit juices.
One of the key components making açai such a potent source of healthfulness is antioxidant compounds known as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are the red/blue pigments in plants and berries that protect them from UV damage, viruses, bacteria and oxidants. Anthocyanins have been shown to protect the body at the cellular level, support the immune system, enhance the body’s natural inflammatory response, and support normal cholesterol levels.*
In addition, açai is an excellent source of essential monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids: omega 6 and omega 9, very similar to the healthy oils found in fish. Açai has 60% oleic acid (omega-9) and 12% linoleic acid (omega-6), both of which have been shown to help the body maintain normal cholesterol levels. Oleic acid facilitates the penetration of healthy omega-3 fish oils through the cell membranes, thus enabling hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors to function efficiently.
Grape and Grape Seed Extract
The fact that grape and grape seed (Vitis vinnifera) extract, also known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), are antioxidant heavyweights has been well documented.
In the case of Agebest Basics® enduring youth®, the California wine country grapes and grape seed extract we use contains OPCs, natural compounds present in most fruits and vegetables, but particularly in bark, skin and seeds. The antioxidant activities of these proanthocyanidins have been found to be much stronger than Vitamin C and Vitamin E, two well-known antioxidants.
Grape and grape seed extract OPCs boost the immune system and protect the body at the cellular level.* In addition, they support vision health, maintain healthy circulatory and cardiovascular function, enhance the skin’s response to wrinkles, support cartilage and joint function, and promote normal homocysteine levels.*
Pomegranate
Pomegranate’s (Punica granatum) key components are punicalagins, powerful antioxidants that are easily absorbed by the body and boost the immune system while promoting cardiovascular health.* It is these seeds, whose cover is called an “aril,” that posses all the antioxidant properties associated with this amazing fruit.
But it doesn’t end there. In addition to boosting the immune system and offering cellular protection, pomegranate has been found to help maintain normal cholesterol levels and promote normal heart and cardiovascular function.* Recent studies have also shown that pomegranate may also be helpful in maintaining normal prostate function, fighting wrinkles, and is supportive to menopausal women.*
Black Currant
Native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia, black currant (Ribes nigrum) is a strong free-radical fighter that has more antioxidant power than blueberries, four times the vitamin C of oranges, and more potassium than bananas. In addition to this, black currant also contains anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that actually give black currants their dark, rich color.
Black currant have been found to help maintain normal brain function and improve memory function, ease mild memory problems associated with aging, improve absentmindedness, and help restore mental alertness.* They also provide significant support to vision health and support the body’s natural inflammatory response.*
Green Tea Catechins (EGCG)
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains one of the highest concentrations of four different polyphenols known as catechins. In Agebest Basics® enduring youth®, the catechin we use, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), has been found to be 100 times more effective than Vitamin C and 25 more times effective than Vitamin E in protecting the body at the cellular level.*
In fact, such are the far-reaching health benefits of green tea that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is involved in numerous studies examining its therapeutic uses. Rich in antioxidant properties, it has been shown to help maintain cell function and healthy cholesterol levels.* Additionally, The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, found that drinking green tea “over a period of time reduces the effects of sun damage to the skin” by mitigating the adverse effects of UV rays.
Green tea also has thermogenic effects associated with proper weight maintenance. It supports blood health and heart health and has been shown to ease mild memory problems and absentmindedness associated with the aging process.* Green tea also helps enhance your body’s natural inflammatory response.*
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water – a soluble vitamin used by the body in many metabolic reactions. It is also a recognized powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage.*
Vitamin C cannot be made by the body naturally, and thus must be obtained through foods or supplementation. We add Vitamin C to Agebest Basics® enduring youth® because it enhances the antioxidant response of the other ingredients. In fact, there are synergistic antioxidative effects among all of our antioxidant ingredients.
If you would like to see the scientific studies and articles that support the information listed above, complete with links to the actual abstracts, please click here to enter our Reading Room.