Antioxidants and Free Radicals and Aging
Do you know of the Free Radical Theory of Aging? Up until recently I didn’t know a theory existed. But this great theory is a a leading contender to explain the aging process.
The Free Radical Theory of Aging was originally proposed by Dr. Denham Harman. It’s summarized as follows:
Free radicals can be produced within the body as part of the normal metabolic process and outside of the body from toxic sources - cigarrette smoke is a great example. The reactions that these free radicals create in our bodies are a leading cause of aging, disease development and inevitably -death. When our leading defense mechanism against free radicals – namely antioxidants – are not produced or available in sufficient quantity to deal with the free radicals, the changes that they cause in the cells accumulate, creating mutations in the sequence of genetic material. As these mutations accumulate the systems of the body deteriorate leading to the development of aging and degenerative diseases.
In short – without sufficient antioxidant levels in our systems, free radicals are left to damage cell structure, cluttering up our system with damaged cells, toxins and making it more difficult for our bodies to adapt to environmental stresses.
Now, we’re all going to age, but clearly if I’m going to live to 95 (that’s my plan) I would rather enjoy as many of those years in the best shape I can be in and to do that, I will keep my body well supplied with the best antioxidants.
Maybe I’ll choose antioxidant supplements like CoEnzymeQ10 and maybe I’ll consider a product like MAXGXL to provide my body with the nutrients it needs to produce it’s own master antioxidant- Glutathione. But I’m convinced that I’m going to call on the anti aging power of antioxidants for a long time to come.
