If we allow this process to go unchecked, we can look forward to suffering from arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease, macular degeneration, lupus, MS, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue or worse yet, dying from heart disease, stroke or cancer.

The simple truth is that over 70 chronic degenerative diseases are due to "oxidative stress."

While oxygen is essential for life, there is also a dark side to oxygen. As oxygen is utilized within our cells to create energy there is occasionally a charged oxygen molecule created, called a free radical. This "free radical" has at least one unpaired electron in its outer orbit. When free radicals attempt to stabilize themselves by stealing an electron from a surrounding compound or molecule a new free radical is formed in its place. In turn the newly formed radical then looks to return to its ground or neutral state by stealing an electron from another cellular structure or molecule. Thus the chain reaction continues and can be thousands of events long.

A free radical prefers to steal electrons from the lipid membrane of a cell, initiating a free radical attack on the cell known as lipid peroxidation.

Free radicals are generated in large quantities from tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust and other forms of air pollution. Free radicals are also produced from the food we eat, particularly from the consumption of hydrogenated oils like margarine and over-heated fats like French fires, and other fried foods.

The body normally keeps free radicals in check by the natural production of antioxidants and by the pH alkaline buffering systems. Antioxidants readily donate an electron to the free radical without damaging itself.

For example, one of the antioxidant protection mechanisms used by the body at the cellular level is the phospholipid membrane around the cell. This membrane is made from phosphorous, cholesterol and nitrogen and shields the cell from free radical attacks. The electrons in the cholesterol fatty acids readily donate electrons thereby neutralizing the free radicals before they do any damage to the cell. When this mechanism fails free radicals damage the cell membrane and it becomes hard - therefore not allowing the passage of nutrients into the cell or it becomes fractured resulting in the collapse of the cell by drainage of the inner fluids. Both situations will lead to the death of the cell.

Modern research suggests that mutations of the DNA caused by free radicals are the major contribution for the development of cancer.

Free Radicals
Damage Hormone Receptors, Energy Factories and DNA.

Unchecked free radical damage destroys cells leading to tissue inflammation.

Tissue inflammation, particularly in the walls of blood arteries creates a thinning of the arterial walls on one hand and an inflammatory response on the other hand that causes a build up of cholesterol at the site, leading to cardiovascular disease.

When this oxidative stress is allowed to persist over a prolonged period of time, you will most likely develop a serious chronic degenerative disease.

Fortunately, we have our own army of antioxidants, which are able to neutralize free radicals and render them harmless. In past generations our defense systems were sufficient. Unfortunately, due to the high level of environmental toxins that we now face our bodies' defense systems need additional support.

Most antioxidants come from fruits and vegetables. Our soils have become depleted of antioxidants and supporting minerals. Food processing and storage along with our own poor food choices and preparation have also added to the lack of antioxidant protection we receive. Therefore, if we now need 400 IU of vitamin E to counter the onslaught of free radicals from our current environment, we would need to eat 33 heads of spinach, or 80 avocados, or 5 pounds of wheat germ every day to achieve this level of vitamin E. In order to obtain the optimal level of vitamin C of 1200 to 2000 mg daily, we would need to eat 18 oranges, or 160 apples.

It is clear from the above example that in order to replenish and maintain healthy levels of antioxidant protection we must adapt a healthy diet along with complete and balanced nutritional supplementation. Nutritional supplementation must be of the highest quality and blended in proper ratios in order to achieve proper cellular nutrition and protection.

Cellular nutrition simply means providing the body with all the antioxidants along with the all supporting B vitamins and antioxidant minerals at optimal levels.

When all of the necessary nutrients are provided to the cell in a complete and balanced nutritional supplement, our body's natural antioxidant, immune, and repair systems are maximized.

Some of the most important nutrients that should be supplemented daily are:

1. Antioxidant Nutrients and Supplements

a) Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an important inner cellular free-radical fighting enzyme that is naturally produced by the body. Superoxide dismutase works with catalase to transform superoxide radicals, which are the exhaust of the cell's energy production, into hydrogen peroxide.

b) Glutathione peroxidase* is an important component in the body's arsenal of antioxidants. It reduces hydrogen peroxide to harmless water. Glutathione peroxidase is manufactured from nutrients, such as the amino acid glutamine, that are found in the diet. Fresh citrus fruits, melons, and colorful vegetables are the best sources. Glutathione and SOD are both dependent upon minerals such as selenium.

c) Vitamin E* is one of the most important antioxidants in the human body because it helps to maintain strong cell membranes and protects low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from oxidation.

d) Carotenoid beta-carotene*, the safe provitamin form of vitamin A. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin, a strong immune system, and is important for good vision. In addition, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are carotenoid antioxidants involved in protecting against free-radical damage in the eyes and other organs.

e) CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10)* is a potent antioxidant and is essential for energy production in our cells. High levels of CoQ10 are especially important for a strong cardiovascular system. The body's ability to synthesize or absorb CoQ10 declines with age.

f) Vitamin C* is the master water-soluble antioxidant, offering health maintenance throughout the body.

g) Alpha Lipoic Acid* is a vitamin-like antioxidant that is both fat and water-soluble. It is easily absorbed through the gut and transported across cell membranes, it offers protection against free radicals, both inside and outside the cell. It is also involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism and recycling oxidized CoQ10.

h) Grape Seed Extract* contains proanthocyanidins (a form of bioflavonoids) that are some of the most powerful free-radical scavengers yet discovered. Grape Seed Extract has also been found to play a strong role in promoting and maintaining sound cardiovascular function by protecting plasma LDL from oxidation, maintaining capillary strength by its antioxidant properties.

i) Garlic* contains sulfur-rich derivatives of the amino acid cysteine, which many believe has many health benefits including: inhibiting the formation of free radicals by supporting the body's free radical scavenger mechanism and by protecting low density lipoproteins against oxidation; increasing natural killer-cell activity and interleukin-2 production, providing support for the immune system. Garlic is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.

j) Ginko Biloba provides a mix of bioflavonoids that provide antioxidant activity in the brain as well as enhancing blood circulation throughout the body and improving oxygenation to the brain.

2. Minerals*

a) Zinc is a component of hundreds of enzymes. It is associated with enzymes involved in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, as well as DNA and RNA replication. Zinc functions as an antioxidant, aids in maintaining healthy bone structure, maintains healthy immune functions, and maintains healthy vision.

b) Selenium is an essential component of the glutathione peroxidase antioxidant system and also plays an important role in thryoid hormone metabolism. Selenium is important for maintaining prostate health.

c) Magnesium is an activator of hundreds of enzymes essential to life. It is essential for the formation and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth and is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids. It also plays an important role in neuromuscular contractions.

d) Chromium is an important component of the glucose tolerance factor (GTF) that helps to regulate insulin levels and thus maintain healthy glucose metabolism. Healthy insulin and glucose levels are critical for weight management and for sustained energy levels throughout the day.

e) Iodine is a crucial component in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, reproduction, and the synthesis of protein.

f) Copper is essential for enzymes that help to synthesize collagen. Cooper is also a critical component of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is an important antioxidant in cell cytoplasm, and acts as a catalyst in the formation of hemoglobin.

g) Manganese is an important co-factor in the production of glycosaminoglycoans, compounds that make up connective tissues, bones, arteries, and other organs. Manganese is an activator of numerous enzymes, and supplementation with manganese can enhance the SOD enzyme system to increase antioxidant activity.

h) Vanadium helps support healthy serum glucose levels and may also support healthy thyroid function.

3. Hormone Support

a) Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's)* combined with biologically active amino acids is the best approach to enhancing natural hormone production. Prostaglandins, also known as eicosanoids, such as thromboxanes, leukotrienes, and lipoxins are derived from EFA's sensitize cells to hormones, especially sex hormones. They are involved in the control the immune system, the nervous system, the heart, the reproductive system, and the endocrine system. The balance of omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acids is critical to maintaining optimal eicosanoid biosynthesis. EFA's may help maintain normal blood pressure and healthy levels of triglycerides and serum cholesterol. EFA's are incorporated into the membrane of every cell.

b) Phytoestrogens and Isoflavones* are biologically active chemical compounds from plants such s grains, legumes, fruit, and vegetables that bind to the same hormone receptor sites as estrogen. This helps stabilize hormonal cycles and may promote long-term reproductive health, both during and after menopause, as well as help to maintain bone mass. Phytoestrogens play another important protective role by binding excess estrogens made in the body, or taken in from the environment via pesticides, plastics, and other sources of estrogen-like chemicals, to a protein made in the blood. This reduces the amount of estrogens available to estrogen-sensitive tissue.

c) Vitamins B3, B6 and C, along with biotin, magnesium, and zinc are required to convert EFA's into prostaglandins (beneficial eicosanoids).

d) DIM The mechanisms for DIM's health benefits primarily involve the induction of mixed function oxidases and phase II detoxification enzyme systems by the binding and activation of the arylhydrocarbon receptor. Some have suggested that DIM may also positively affect cellular signaling pathways, and thus regulate tumor promotion and progression. It is becoming increasingly apparent that dietary supplements like DIM may provide an important mechanism for maintaining successful aging despite the increasing levels of xenoestrogenic compounds in our modern world.

4. PH Support

a) Calcium* is required for proper bone density and is found in the extracellular fluid and inside the cell where it plays many metabolic roles. It is an electrolyte. It is alkaline. It is critical to normal nerve conduction, muscle contraction, blood clotting, and is essential for producing and activating enzymes and hormones that regulate digestion, energy, and fat metabolism. Calcium must always be taken with Vitamin D for proper absorption.

If you find it impossible to change your morning saliva pH to at least 5.8, then you will need to consider the possibility that you have a dental infection or heavy metal toxicity.

Taking too Many Supplements or the Wrong Kinds of Supplements

Taking too many vitamins may be a problem. Taking high dosages of specific and isolated nutrients may also be detrimental to your health. Many people have reported increases of their symptoms from taking mega-dosages of many vitamins and minerals.

This is why it is important to know what is in the supplements you are taking and to be sure you are taking quality supplements.

* In clinical practice we only recommend pharmaceutical grade supplements of the highest quality and blended in ratios that complement the body's requirements.