Category Archives: Antioxidants

Anti-ageing, Antioxidants, MegaHydrate, MegaHydrate Powder

MegaHydrate: the mega dietary supplement

Designed, created and manufactured in a cutting-edge manner, MegaHydrate is full of health-giving potential, that’s for sure. Indeed, its antioxidant credentials are so revered, it’s said that this entirely naturally-derived supplement offers among the highest antioxidant potentials of anything you might consume (including ‘superfoods’ that could be classed as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and so on). Basically, MegaHydrate operates by reducing the surface tension of water within the body and at a cellular level, thereby increasing hydration within the body’s cells. In bringing about optimal hydration then, it’s able to encourage the body to more effectively eliminate toxins and metabolic by-products and ensure hugely important nutrients are delivered to cells, exactly where they’re needed.

And, to get further into the science, MegaHydrate’s capable of doing this because one of its main ingredients, silica hydride, is the only antioxidant compound in existence that doesn’t convert itself into a pro-oxidant following the donation of its electrons – instead, it combines with other hydrogen or water atoms, to form non-hazardous gas or water, respectively.

 

MegaHydrate health benefits

So, just some of the health benefits offered by MegaHydrate are:

 

Boosts negatively-charged hydrogen ion levels

MegaHydrate is terrific at combatting free radicals, in part, because it’s a super-concentrated source of negatively-charged ions, ensuring that it has a pronouncedly low oxidation reduction potential (OAP) – in layman’s terms then, this means that, as an antioxidant, it’s highly likely to donate electrons to combat free radicals’ hazardous activity in the body.

 

Might slow down ageing

Thanks to its capacity for hydrating you, this is a supplement that can undoubtedly increase moisture levels throughout the body. Not only is this healthy in general terms (there are few healthier things for the body to be good supply of than water), but also particularly good news for your appearance; hair, skin and fingernails will likely look glossier and shinier.

 

Increases hydration elements’ absorption

As a detoxifier, MegaHydrate can thanks its effectivity on its ability to enable rapid hydration and nutrient uptake in the body’s cells. This capacity of the supplement can be traced to its creation as a product that deliberates mimics the huge-health-giving waters to be found in highly-elevated regions of the world, to be found in places as diverse as Ecuador, Pakistan and Germany. What is it specifically about the properties of these waters? Well, it’s down to the specific structure of the frozen glaciers in these parts of the world from which it’s derived.

 

Could offset the fact we drink less water as we age

It’s a fact that millions of us naturally have less of a desire to – and feel we need to – drink less water as we get older, but it does us no good; not least because our imbibing of tea, coffee, carbonated eater and energy drinks tends to increase (or, at least, far from diminish) as we age. The result is merely reduced hydration and, yes, too little water in the body.

 

Combats the harm incurred by drinking caffeine and alcohol

As noted, drinking caffeine really does very little good for the body and surely practically everybody knows this to be true of alcohol. Indeed, on its own, consuming too much caffeine is only likely to lead to anxiety, dehydration, dizziness, headaches, insomnia and stress. Happily, though, these negative effects are something else MegaHydrate’s capable of counteracting.

 

Drives up negatively-charged hydrogen ions

Don’t doubt it, these negative ions are great for boosting a sense of well-being and overall health. Why? Well, they’re critical for the maintaining of the body’s energy balance; without them, its cells won’t be capable of counteracting free radical generation, which – as you may very well be aware of by now – is responsible for cellular damage and curtaining the life of all-important cells.

 

Enhances zeta potential of blood cells

Through its principle ingredient, silica hydride, MegaHydrate augments what scientists call ‘zeta potential’ in our blood cells. It’s because this chemical compound increase the charge, the stability and charge between blood cells (the zeta potential) that MegaHydrate ensures there’s more surface area for blood cells in the body’s blood and this ensures toxicants like bacteria, fungi, viruses and other pollutants can be removed, while ‘cleansing waters’ can more easily make their way to and fill cells owing to this increased surface area.

 

Increases your antioxidant levels

Just a single serving of MegaHydrate will supply you with more antioxidant goodness than many ‘superfoods’ including the likes of green tea, leafy greens, wheat grass and many fruit and vegetable juices. It’s this considerable antioxidant activity then that the supplement can provide that’s liable to aid in an array of health benefits; everything from improved memory and energy levels to better sight and hearing and longevity to the likelihood of chronic disease improvement.

 

 

Boosts your oxygen intake

As noted, the supplement naturally pushes cells apart (thanks to the activity of its negatively-charged atoms) and that creates a spaciousness that drives up the fluidity in the lymph system, thus drawing more oxygen into these cells. Among many other things, this supports the liver in its work to remove toxins.

 

MegaHydrate supplements

So then, both of the (entirely naturally-derived) MegaHydrate supplements that follow are available through us at The Finchley Clinic:

MegaHydrate – an amazing anti-aging and energy boosting remedy that’s claimed to be 800% more effective than other known products or foods

MegaHydrate Powder – arguably better value for money than the supplement in its original capsule form, offering a higher dosage than the latter.

Antioxidants, MegaHydrate, MegaHydrate Powder

MegaHydrate: the mega antioxidant supplement

Over the past few decades it’s been drilled into us just how important it is to make sure we’re hydrated. Now, we tend to think this means making sure we don’t feel thirsty and have enough water in our bodies to sate a potential lack of H2O. But you probably weren’t aware of the importance of making sure the individual cells of your body are properly hydrated, were you? This is where MegaHydrate comes in.

An excellent and, therefore, popular supplement, MegaHydrate boasts one of the highest antioxidant potentials on the planet. It was created specifically to boost cellular hydration by reducing the surface tension of water within the body, which really means hydrating the cells in the body. The science behind enables a more efficient elimination of toxins and metabolic by-products on a very specific level within the cells – as well as a boost in the delivery of nutrients to the cells.

In fact, MegaHydrate (which is not only available at The Finchley Clinic but, at present, on special offer through us) is claimed to be more than one hundred times more potent than many plant-based antioxidant sources – including the likes of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, green tea extract, and grape seed extract. How so? Well, containing as it does silica hydride, MegaHydrate has something of a secret weapon, for that appears to be the only antioxidant compound that doesn’t transform into a pro-oxidant after donating its electrons, instead combining with other hydrogen atoms to form a harmless gas or with oxygen and hydrogen to form water.

 

Brilliant benefits

So much for the science, but what about MegaHydrate’s benefits? What specifically does it do for your body…?

  • Boosts negatively-charged hydrogen ions – as a super-concentrated source of these ions, MegaHydrate has a very low oxidation reduction potential (ORP). A low ORP means that the antioxidant is extremely likely to donate electrons and act as a more potent free-radical quencher.

 

  • Could slow ageing – because of its hydration capacities, MegaHydrate may increase moisture in all body parts, giving us a more youthful, vital appearance. This also means that the hair, skin and fingernails may seem more lustrous and shiny.

 

  • Drives up absorption of hydrating elements – MegaHydrate was developed to offer the same benefits as the waters found in high elevation regions of the world. In some elevated areas of places such as Pakistan, Ecuador and Germany, people seem to live longer and with a better quality of life well into 100 years of age. This is because of the water structure of the frozen glacier water of these regions of the world. MegaHydrate mimics these waters in both its structure and health effects. This form of water does not have to work to be absorbed by our cells, but enters into them easily, allowing quicker hydration and nutrient uptake. Good things move into our cells easier, and toxicants also move out easier.

 

  • Counteracts caffeine and alcohol – We may be unaware of it, but caffeine overload can lead to anxiety, insomnia, dehydration, stress, dizziness and headaches. MegaHydrate can help counteract the negative consequences associated with excessive caffeine and alcohol intake.

 

  • Improves negatively-charged ion levels – negative ions have been shown to boost our sense of well-being and overall health. Hydrogen ions are key to the body’s energy balance. Without enough hydrogen ions from the plants and water we take in, the cells cannot effectively counteract the creation of free radicals in the body, leading to cellular damage and potentially shorter cell life.

 

  • Promotes the ‘zeta potential’ – through its principle ingredient, silica hydride, MegaHydrate augments what scientists call “zeta potential” in our blood cells. This compound boosts the charge, as well as stability and space between the blood cells. With more zeta potential, we get more surface area for blood cells. More surface area in these cells allows more room for toxicants such as bacteria, fungus, viruses and pollutants to be expelled. Cleansing waters can reach our cells better due to the increased surface potentials. Studies confirm this heightened zeta response in cells upon taking MegaHydrate.

 

  • Improves total antioxidant levels – studies show that one serving provides more antioxidant content than many of the popular superfoods: including wheat grass, green tea, leafy greens and other vegetable and fruit juices. Heightened antioxidant activity may be a key factor in promoting a multitude of health benefits such as longevity, better memory, better energy levels, improved sight and hearing and reduced chances for chronic disease development.

 

  • Delivers oxygen – the negative hydrogen atoms in MegaHydrate push cells apart, instead of drawing them together. This spaciousness increases fluidity in the lymph system and pulls more oxygen into cells. It also has been found to aid the liver in toxin removal.

 

MegaHydrate – something of an anti-ageing pill, it’s a supplement that’s undoubtedly one of the most powerful antioxidant supplements available anywhere in the world, thanks to being as much as 800 percent more effective than other known products or foods; an amazing remedy for anti-ageing and boosting energy levels throughout the body.

MegaHydrate (Powder) – the same great supplement as the standard above version, only in powder- not, capsule-form; indeed, for those requiring a higher dosage, Megahydrate powder works out much better value for money than the capsules.

Antioxidants, MegaHydrate, MegaHydrate Powder

Anti-ageing ideas that work: how to keep your body as young as possible

Anti-ageing. It’s a wonderful phrase, isn’t it? It sounds mystical in a way; almost magical. Something that’s illogical and oh-so difficult to attain. But then, it depends on how you look at it. Because, of course, if you’re thinking of something along the lines of some sort of silver bullet that stops your body from ageing at all, then you really are in the realms of magic and fantasy.

Yet, in far more realistic terms, anti-ageing refers to the efforts that effective habits can contribute to you slowing the rate of ageing (or, to be bluntly precise, the rate of decline) of your body as you age. And that means adopting such habits as regular, decent physical exercise and a healthy diet based around natural, organic food.

Yes, to that end then, as you age you really are only as healthy as the food you eat. To wit, the following are all anti-ageing foods you should be looking to incorporate into your diet, at the very least.

 

Antioxidant foods

Owing mostly to a poor diet (as well as environmental factors), harmful entities known as toxins find their way into your body, producing micro-organisms called free radicals that are hazardously effective at damaging the body’s cells. The best way to counter their efforts, though, is to pack your diet with anti-ageing foods rich in antioxidants; molecules themselves, which neutralise free radicals. Indeed, a recent study suggests that consuming antioxidants helps people age slower, live longer and encounter fewer health issues1. The following are all great examples of antioxidant foods:

  • Berries – thanks to the two kinds of antioxidants they contain (flavonoids and anthocyanins, the latter responsible for their bright and bold colours), blackberries, blueberries, goji berries, raspberries and strawberries are all capable of contributing to a soothing of inflammation and boosting immunity2

 

  • Cruciferous vegetables – these kinds of veggies (brassicas) are absolutely teeming with the likes of isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol (yes, both of them antioxidants); note that the US National Cancer Institute advises eating broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and/ or cauliflower on a daily basis3

 

  • Dark chocolate – yes, chocolate is officially good for you, so long as it’s dark and contains at least 60% cocoa, ensuring it’s full of antioxidants called polyphenols

 

  • Grapes – thanks to comprising the antioxidant resveratrol (which animal testing has proved is capable of extending lifespan4), red and purple grapes are highly healthy foods; resveratrol also occurs in organic, sugar-free grape juice

 

  • Green tea – the antioxidants in this beverage (the second most drunk on the planet… only after water itself) are so critical in the fight against ageing because they protect cells from oxidative stress (the oxidising of molecules that can so harm cells and their work throughout the body)5

 

  • Pomegranates – as with all the above, pomegranates owe their heath-giving effects to antioxidants (in this case polyphenols6).

 

Unsaturated fat foods

Generally, as far as the human body’s concerned, there are two kinds of fat – and one of them’s definitely not bad, but the other one definitely is. Saturated fat’s the bad one, as it raises cholesterol and puts a person at risk from potential heart disease and stroke; happily, though, unsaturated fat’s the good one, as it helps to promote healthy cholesterol levels.

One kind of unsaturated fat is polyunsaturated fat, which occurs naturally in Omega-3 fatty acids (of which you’ve no doubt heard; they’re fantastic for aiding heart health7). The following foods then are ideal sources of these specific fatty acids:

  • Avocados – those in the know claim these fruits (the source for great guacamole, of course) not only support healthy cholesterol levels, but also contribute to good brain health, all of which may have a connection to their substantial Omega-3 content8, 9

 

  • Flaxseeds – a terrific source for Omega-3 goodness (as well as dietary fibre and several other nutrients), flaxseeds are, of course, cultivated for their oil as well as used whole, cracked or ground up as additions to the likes of salads, smoothies and baked foods.

 

Vitamin and mineral foods

So much for how the clever-clever sounding antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids (and, thus, the foods they contain) combat the ageing process – but, don’t doubt it, you can rely on good old-fashioned vitamins and minerals as well to boost your body’s health in an effort to keep it as young and in as good working order as possible.

The trick here is to consume as part of your daily diet as much natural, unprocessed organic food as you can (and as little processed, saturate-fat- and additive-rich foods as you can). Indeed, these naturally-derived foods are all superb sources for vitamins and minerals:

  • Beans – blessed with assorted nutrients (iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc), the essential-for-life amino acid lysine and the B-complex vitamin folate, without which all-important red blood cells couldn’t be created in the body, beans are incredibly healthy additions to anyone’s diet10

 

  • Dark leafy greens – high in Vitamins A, C, E and K, all such vegetables also feature great levels of calcium, fibre, iron, magnesium and potassium, while the likes of spinach, bok choy, kale and mustard greens are great sources for B-complex vitamins; moreover, dark leafy greens also boast a low glycemic index (GI), meaning they won’t force your blood glucose/ insulin levels to rise, important should you have diabetic issues11

 

  • Whole grains – refined grains lack all of the goodness of the entire grain, by definition then, whole grains do the opposite, comprising as they do all the grains’ natural nutritional value; so, including B vitamins and Vitamin E, calcium, dietary fibre, iron, magnesium and potassium, whole grains like amaranth, buckwheat, kaniwa, millet and quinoa are the ones to go for12.

 

Anti-aging supplements

As noted, fundamentally basing your diet around foods like those above is the best way to pivot your diet in an anti-ageing direction; yet, should you find this difficult, you might try to introduce some of those foods into your daily eating habits and rely on one or two naturally-occurring, organic supplement products as well. The following are all available at The Finchley Clinic:

MegaHydrate – claimed by the company behind it to be one of the most powerful antioxidants on the market, MegaHydrate is 800% more effective than other known products or foods, so much so it’s sometimes referred to as the ‘anti-ageing pill’ (like MegaHydrate Powder – see below – it’s currently on special offer at The Finchley Clinic)

MegaHydrate Powder – obviously a powder form of MegaHydrate, you get more bang for your buck (so to speak) with this format of the antioxidant supplement, as each bottle contains 50g compared to the 18g per bottle the above version offers

MSM Powder (2 lbs) – methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is the body’s most prevalent (and so, definitely one of its most necessary) minerals; it’s key for effective skin, hair and nail growth, keeping connective tissues strong, ensuring good joint function, proper enzyme activity, hormone balance and effective immunity.

 

References

  1. Assmann K. E., Andreeva V. A., Jeandel C., Hercberg S., Galan P. and Kesse-Guyot E. ‘Healthy Aging 5 Years After a Period of Daily Supplementation With Antioxidant Nutrients: A Post Hoc Analysis of the French Randomized Trial SU.VI.MAX’. American Journal of Epidemiology; 182. 8 (2015): 694-704.
  2. ‘Berry Beneficial: Reduce Inflammation with Fruit’. Penn State Extension: Nutrition, Diet, and Health. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences; 2014 27 Oct.
  3. Higdon J. ‘Cruciferous Vegetables’. Linus Pauling Institute. Oregon State University; 2017 3 Jan.
  4. Wein H. ‘How Resveratrol May Fight Aging’. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2013 25 Mar.
  5. Forester S. C. and Lambert J. D. ‘Antioxidant Effects of Green Tea’. Molecular nutrition & food research; 55. 6 (2011): 844–854. PMC.
  6. Ehrlich S. D. ‘Pomegranate’. University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center; 2016 2 Feb.
  7. ‘Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution’. Harvard: T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The President and Fellows of Harvard College.
  8. Indivero V. M. ‘An Avocado a Day Keeps the Cardiologist Away’. Penn State University. Pennsylvania State University; 2015 7 Jan.
  9. DeMello H. ‘Boost Your Brain Health’. Healthy UNH. University of New Hampshire; 2014 30 June.
  10. Messina V. ‘Nutritional and Health Benefits of Dried Beans’. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2014 July.
  11. Yan L. ‘Dark Green Leafy Vegetables’. usda.gov. United States Department of Agriculture; 2016 13 Aug.
  12. ‘Health Benefits of Whole Grains’. Tufts University Health & Nutrition Lette. Tufts University; 2016 Nov.
Antioxidants, Barley Grass Powder, Detoxification, Vitamins & Minerals

Glorious Green Magma: how a taste of the Orient can do you so much good

Who’d believe that something so old could be so good for you? Don’t doubt it; barley grass is. It’s been a naturally-derived source for wellbeing since at least 7,000 BC; especially in Japan, where its capacity to aid digestion, detoxification and anti-ageing has long been recognised – and deeply respected. And in recent decades it’s become likewise recognised (and consumed) for these properties in the West.

Primarily, this has been thanks to the efforts of pharmaceutical developer Dr Yoshihide Hagiwara, whom had to give up his day job at the tender age of 38 due to toxic poisoning. Having fully recovered via natural medicines and foods alone, he devoted the rest of his life to investigating green foods and just what they were capable of for the good of the human body. His research led him to publish his conclusions, in which he claimed that barley grass is ‘one of the most nutritionally balanced foods in nature’ and ‘the ideal fast food for the human race’. Strong words, indeed, but it seems that this greenest of green foods and most super of superfoods is capable of backing them up.

 

The road to Green Magma

Technically speaking, barley grass are the young, soft shoots that crop on the barley plant and, in his experiments, Hagiwara unfortunately discovered that the multiple, health-giving nutrients stored in these shoots are destroyed by heat and acidity (when the shoots are either cooked or treated to be transformed into an easily consumable form like a supplement). In which case, he hit on the idea of a unique spray-dry process to create a different kind of extraction. Not only did this successful discovery earn him acclamation in his native Japan, it also led to his patented methods proving the basis for the manufacturing process behind the modern, highly advanced and extremely nutritious version of Barley Grass Powder, namely Green Magma.

Packed full of all the goodness of natural barley grass then, Green Magma is truly a multi-nutrient superfood that’s bursting with more than 70 vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Among its incredible array of ingredients are:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  • Vitamin B3 (niacin)
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
  • Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
  • Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
  • Folate
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorous
  • Potassium
  • Zinc
  • Beta-carotene
  • Phycocyanin
  • Superoxide dismutase
  • Chlorophyll
  • Flavonoid 2”-O-GIV

 

Green Magma benefits

But why is it so impressive that Green Magma comprises all these vitamins and minerals? Well, the fact it does so is what ensures it’s such an enriching, health-aiding supplement; such a potent, dissoluble powder-based (and so very easy-to-consume) version of the original barley grass. It’s the fact it comprises all these vitamins and minerals that it offers those why try it – and take it daily – so many benefits that can help bring relief to a range of conditions and illnesses. For instance:

  • A natural antioxidant – owing to it containing the enzyme superoxide dismutase, Green Magma boasts terrific antioxidant properties, this ingredient enjoying nothing more than to act as a free radical scavenger, utterly neutralising the harmful effects of the opportunistic micro-organisms and so preventing the development of a whole host of illnesses caused by the otherwise resultant oxidative stress (it’s aided in these efforts by the flavonoid 2”-O-GIV); moreover, the presence of alpha-tocopherol in Green Magma successfully stimulates the release of the protein prolactin which may inhibit the growth of cancerous tumours as much as 10 times better than other versions of Vitamin E can

 

  • May improve digestion – as barley grass has a naturally positive, stimulating effect on ‘gut friendly’ bacteria (the ‘good’ rather than the ‘bad’ bacteria to be found in the intestines), Green Magma can help in alleviating inflammation and other symptoms that are associated with gastrointestinal complaints like ulcerative colitis (UC), something which is only boosted by its handy talent for reducing aggressive bowel chemicals, as well as aiding in the flushing out of toxins from the body and assisting in the maintenance of the bowel’s fluid balance

 

  • A natural detoxifier – all heavy metals (e.g. lead) are very poisonous to the human body and require swift removal from it, should trace levels of them been accidentally consumed and thus accumulated, and via detoxification this is something else at which Green Magma comes up trumps, specifically through the work of its trace element zinc; furthermore, barley grass’s naturally occurring chlorophyll and beta-carotene can aid the detoxing of waste mucous and crystallised acids, all of which contributes to the efficacy of the body carrying out metabolic processes and the critical detoxification work that goes on in the liver (note: those in need of detoxification may experience tiredness on first using Green Magma for this purpose; so it’s best to start with low doses of the supplement and build them up slowly over time, owing to its powerful detoxing qualities)

 

  • May restore acid-alkali balance – in its Green Magma version, barley grass makes for a superb natural alkaline source, ideal then for reducing excess acidity in the body and preventing otherwise possible acidosis damage; to this end, thanks to its work at restoring the human body’s acid-alkali balance, it may also aid in the prevention of a wide range of differing complaints, including cardiac pain, constipation, fatigue and sleep disorders

 

  • May improve skin, hair and nail quality – finally, Green Magma may also prove a great contributor to the regeneration of cells without side effects, which is where its ingredients including chlorophyll, iron and Vitamin C come in, as well as the pigment-protein phycocyanin, which inspires the creation of red and white blood cells and bone marrow; indeed, it’s this adept ability to aid renewal in the body that ensures Green Magma also helps to preserve hair and nail quality and keep skin looking youthful.

 

How to take Green Magma

A juice-based version of barley grass then (although it’s also available from The Finchley Clinic in tablet-form; see below), your best advised serving of Green Magma is via stirring a teaspoon of the supplement’s powder in a glass (160ml) of water – or non-acidic fruit juice – and drinking it up to twice a day. For best results, it’s best to consume Green Magma either 20 minutes before or around two hours after a meal; this will enable the nutrients to be absorbed as best as possible in the body. Remember not to mix the powder with a hot drink – heat may well damage the supplement’s active enzymes!

If you’re interested in purchasing and trying Green Magma, we stock the supplement in various dosages; take a look at them all below:

Green Magma (300g)

Green Magma (150g)

Green Magma (80g)

Green Magma (10-day trial pack)

Green Magma (250 tablets)

Antioxidants, Free Radicals, General Health & Nutrition

When oxygen attacks: how antioxidants combat reactive oxygen species

The ancient Chinese may well have been on to something (not surprising, given their greatest thinkers were clearly a smart bunch), for the idea behind the Chinese philosophical principle that’s ‘yin and yang’ – that is, the significance of balance and the importance of its attainment and maintenance – holds true to so many things in life and the world around us. Not least when it comes to our bodies and health. Indeed, when you think about healing – returning ill-health to a point of good (or ‘normal’) health – it’s summed up by the quest for balance within one’s body. Healing and good health then could be described as the need for balance within the human body.

In which case, it’s hardly surprising that when the body feels unhealthy it seeks to heal itself; when it feels out of balance, it seeks to rectify things and return to a balanced state. And one of the critical components it calls on and throws into action for this is oxygen. Research confirms that this most commonplace of chemical elements (especially in the body) is crucial not just for generating energy for the body’s cells via a process called cellular metabolism, but also for healing in injured tissues1. Indeed, wounded tissue likes nothing more than converting oxygen into what’s known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) to encourage this healing2. However, there is a downside to this; when the body is out of balance, reactive oxygen species – or, at least, the presence of too many of them in the body – can also be damaging to your health.

 

What are reactive oxygen species?

Why is this? Well, a clue comes in the form of what reactive oxygen species can also be referred to as – pro-oxidants or oxygen radicals. That’s to say, they’re a variety of free radicals. For many that like to keep fit and healthy, that term is likely to set alarm bells ringing; for free radicals can do a lot of damage in the human body, if left to do as they please in an ‘unbalanced’ body that’s not able to use them efficiently to heal tissue.

Specifically, a free radical is a molecule without an electron that, nevertheless, is capable of maintaining its structure. To that end, it spends its existence seeking out another chemical in the body with whom it can ‘pair’ and ‘complete itself’, by trying to gain that chemical’s electron. And, as far as reactive oxygen species are concerned, that chemical is oxygen, as that’s the one they’re naturally attracted to.

 

Forms of reactive oxygen species

Reactive oxygen species, though, are actually made of oxygen. To break it down, oxygen – an element comprising eight protons and eight electrons – isn’t averse to sharing its electrons (thus, it’s reactive), which is the problem. In sharing one electron or more there’s a good chance it won’t have them returned (which technically means it becomes an ion) and when it’s ionised like this it instantly seeks to replace its missing electron(s) – hence it becomes a reactive oxygen species and, yes, becomes dangerous and destructive. Indeed, strictly speaking, there are several different sub-divisions of reactive oxygen species:

  • singlet oxygen – radical and harmful in two ways; this one can induce a cell’s genes to start ‘cell death’ and can oxidise lipids and fatty acids when it comes into contact with them3

 

  • superoxides – much is still to be discovered about these forms of oxygen, but research suggests they like to disrupt the body’s ability to heal wounds and affect its destroying of cells4

 

  • peroxides – in the body, these include the likes of hydrogen peroxide (comprising oxygen and hydrogen) and hypochlorite (oxygen and chlorine); they do good by helping to heal tissue5, but when hydrogen peroxide interacts with reduced metal ions the inevitable result are free radicals and, don’t doubt it, hydrogen radicals can be seriously destructive in the human body6

 

  • hypochlorous acid – as you might expect, this form contains both oxygen and chlorine and via either oxidation or chlorination its are the destruction of target cells by disrupting their membrane structures7.

 

Combatting reactive oxygen species

So how do you go about fighting reactive oxygen species? How can you prevent them from doing all the damage they cause? A good idea to stop them would be by preventing them from being formed in the first place; cutting off the source before it can even do anything – surely that would be the ultimate answer; yes? Unfortunately, too often that’s simply not possible, as frankly, whenever you do, well, practically anything you actually create and use reactive oxygen species.

This is because they’re generated – via energy created by mitochondria in the body’s cells – every single time a muscle contracts; indeed, it’s been proved that high-intensity exercise actually causes their levels to increase, which in turn can bring about fatigue and muscle failure8. That said, they are also created thanks to the body absorbing harmful foreign entities – the likes of alcohol, germs, polluting chemicals, tobacco and its smoke and toxic metals9 – which is something that you can control; the lesson being then to try and avoid these entities as much as possible.

But beyond this there must be a more fundamental, proactive answer? There is – antioxidants. Defined as substances that inhibit oxidation, antioxidants are simply brilliant at neutralising the oxidising efforts of free radicals. And they’re to be found everywhere in the natural world around us. Indeed, the Vitamins A, C and E and the minerals copper, selenium and zinc are all blessed with antioxidant properties and you can get your fill of them by packing your diet with antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, cranberries, elderberries, goji berries, artichokes, pecans, kidney beans and even dark chocolate.

 

Antioxidant supplements

Fair enough, though, you may find it challenging to regularly fill your diet with a good spread of such antioxidant-packed foods as those listed above (the realities of everyday life can get in the way!). In that case then, you may be tempted to turn to naturally-derived (rather than synthetically produced) supplementation to combat the harmful effects of free radicals – reactive oxygen species among them. Indeed, among the antioxidant products you’ll find on sale at The Finchley Clinic, the following are all currently available on special offer:


Cell Fuzion – an advanced antioxidant formula designed to protect and energize mitochondrial function and protect against DNA damage.


Megahydrate Powder – a powerful antioxidant and provides full-body essential hydration for optimal health and well-being.

Super Antioxidant Protection – a powerful formula that supplies key water and fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients; by supporting the body’s major antioxidant pathways, it may protect against free radical damage and premature ageing.

 

References:

  1. Sen C. K. ‘Wound Healing Essentials: Let There Be Oxygen’. Wound Repair Regen. 2009; 17 (1): 1–18. doi:  10.1111/j.1524-475X.2008.00436.x.
  2. Ohio State University Department of Internal Medicine. ‘Scientists Identify a New Role for Oxygen in Wound Healing’. https://internalmedicine.osu.edu/article.cfm?id=2229.
  3. Triantaphylidès C., Krischke M., Hoeberichts F. A., Ksas B., Gresser G., Havaux M., Van Breusegem F. and Mueller M. J. ‘Singlet oxygen is the major reactive oxygen species involved in photooxidative damage to plants’. Plant Physiol. 2008 Oct; 148 (2): 960-8. doi: 10.1104/pp.108.125690. Epub 2008 Aug 1.
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