Free Radicals
Free radical activity is when a molecule in the body with a single electron “steals” an electron from another molecule so that the first molecule becomes stable. This in turns causes the second molecule to become unstable and it in turn proceeds to “steal” an electron from another stable molecule. This can obviously be the start of a chain reaction.
This activity naturally takes place during the process of energy production in the cells of the body, and in the process of detoxifying and removal of waste products. 98% of the oxygen we breathe is used within our cells in the production of energy but the remaining 2% loses electrons creating the free radicals.
In primitive cultures, the amount of free radical activity produced in the body is generally equal to the amount that can be stabilised by stealing electrons from (and so destroying) the average volume of harmful bacteria and viruses invading the body. The process is a natural phenomenon which works automatically and is an essential part of the immune system. It’s clever and it works fine when it is in balance.
Unfortunately, typical 21st Century living is not only increasing our levels of free radicals dramatically, but is also reducing the body’s ability to neutralise those produced. It is a double problem which is massively unbalancing the system. It is no wonder that most people’s levels are now so high that free radical activity is producing a measurable and noticeable reduction in our energy levels, speeding up the ageing process and producing all manner of illnesses.
Free Radical Production
In addition to producing free radicals naturally in energy production and the removal of waste products, an increasing amount comes from additional sources such as:
Heavy metals (especially mercury, aluminium, lead, iron), calcium, chlorine and cadmium. All of these are heavy producers of free radicals when absorbed into the body.
Foods processed or cooked to create a browning effect. These foods include fried foods, processed foods of all kinds, barbecued and charbroiled foods.
Stress.
Environmental pollution. This can come in heavy doses from specific situations such as the oil depot fire at Hemel Hempstead, or the water contamination in Cornwall in 1988 but also comes on an ongoing basis from the spraying and use of pesticides, from vehicle exhausts and more.
Cigarette smoke.
A variety of Household Goods, such as paints, furniture polishes, insect killers, plastics, air fresheners, perfumes etc. For many people their indoor environment is more toxic than outdoors.
Over exercising. The truth is we all need exercise, but we need a mix of aerobic and gentle easy movement. Exercise should be enjoyable. Once it becomes “work” it could well be too stressful.
Prescription and Illegal Drugs. (Even prescription drugs produce free radicals).
Diseases possibly caused by free radical damage
· Coronary Heart disease
· Stroke
· Cancer
· Arthritis
· Alzheimers
· Cataracts
Etc. Etc.
Tests for Free Radical Activity.
There are many ways to test for free radical activity in the body. These include “dry blood” or oxidative tests, serum and urine tests which for many years were the main methods. The key role in these tests is essentially to determine whether there are sufficient antioxidants in the body to counteract the activity.
Serum or blood tests are usually invasive procedures involving the analysis of live and dried blood. One example of evidence of this activity is when dried blood is disconnected. Please see images below.
The first image shows the healthy dried blood of an individual where there is no oxidative stress and the blood is well connected. It suggests that the individual has sufficient antioxidants to counteract oxidative stress. The second image shows the sample of dried blood where excessive free radical activity has occurred to cause disconnection. There were lots of “holes” or “pores” in the dried blood.
Urine tests on the other hand measure presence of MDA, which is a product of free radical activity. It is more accurate (50x) than blood tests and the results are available in just 5 minutes.
The Free Radicals Test supplied by the Ultimate Sauna company is a simple, inexpensive, easy to use kit which provides a highly accurate result and can be done at the user’s leisure at home.
The measurement is done on a colour basis and the chart is shown below:
Free Radicals Test - colour chart
"I am a strong advocate of preventive medicine and nutrition. The Free Radicals Test Kit has been useful as an instant reality check for everyone who uses it" ( Fedrick J Vagnini M.D. New York Cardiologist)
"I have done an in depth study of the Free Radicals Test and it accurately measures the free radicals activities in the body. The test provides an educated method of determining appropriate antioxidant dosage to combat free radical stress." (- Richard W. Hubbard, Ph.D., Loma Linda University Medical Center , USA .)
Counteracting excessive Free Radical Activity
Free radical activity can be reduced by satisfying the demand for the extra electrons and/or by removing the cause of the excess production.
Satisfying the demand for free electrons
Antioxidants satisfy demand by providing the additional electrons. They exist naturally in raw foods, and in primitive lifestyles are generally all that is needed. They are especially abundant in green vegetables as well as a number of herbs etc. These include:
flax hulls – one of the best sources of antioxidants
pycnogenol – water base extract from pine bark. The British Scientific Journal LANCET showed the risk of heart disease was 50% lower in consumers of high amounts of pycnogenol
grapeseed extract – a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. It may inhibit enzymes that attack collagen and elastin which are the main structural materials of the arteries.
Ginkgo biloba – a useful antioxidant known for its ability to enhance blood circulation.
Green tea – It may specifically protect against cancer, lower cholesterol levels, promote fat reduction and aid in reducing mental fatigue.
Tumeric –traditionally used to protect the liver against toxins. It may also protect against blood platelet aggregation (“thick blood”).
Antioxidants are also made within the body, but need the building blocks of raw food etc. from which to build them. Examples include superoxide dimutase (SOD) which also occurs naturally in barley, broccoli, cabbage, wheatgrass, brussels sprouts and green plants, and glutathione
Antioxidants can also be obtained from:
- vitamins – such as vitamin A, C, E which are good free radical scavengers
- minerals – such as selenium which acts synergistically with vitamin E and zinc.
- semi-essential antioxidants such as:
CoQ10 – an antioxidant that may play an important role in the generation of cellular energy, and immune system stimulation.
Alphalipoic acid – may enhance the functioning of vitamin E, C and glutathione. It is both water and fat soluble and therefore known as the “universal” antioxidant
Lutein – found in vegetables such as spinach and kale. It promotes long-term eye health as it protects the eyes from the damaging effects of the sun.
DHEA – also known as the “mother hormone” because it is the raw material for most steroid hormones produced in the body. May be effective in preventing premature aging and stress
Melatonin – may provide special protection to the nucleus within a cell that contains DNA. It may stimulate the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. It is often used as a sleep aid.
Reducing the causes of Free Radicals
Removing the pollutants from our bodies removes the cause of unnecessary free radicals. Some of those pollutants have been listed above, but there are new ones being dreamed up all the time.
In order to keep them to a minimum we need to regularly detoxify. There are a number of different ways to do this including Special Diets, Vitamin Therapy, Fasting, Colon Therapy, Chelation Therapy, and Sauna Therapy. Most serious detoxification programs have their benefits and they all work in different ways.
However, according to Dr. Sherry Rogers the worst of the toxins, i.e. those that are man made such as PCB’s, flame retardants, Dioxins etc. are not so easily removed. She explains in her book with the mind-focusing title of “Detoxify or Die” that the body does not have experience to deal with them and so they simply accumulate. She states that the only way, which is proven with before and after data, to remove them is through the use of a Far Infrared Sauna.
We recommend the use of free radical testing kits for monitoring these activity levels and the use of the Ultimate Far Infrared Sauna whenever levels are felt to be too high..
For more information on detoxification contact the Ultimate Sauna company on 01933 223024 or service@theultimatesauna.co.uk for their free report “Do it Now: Detox or Die”
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