Antioxidants and Free Radicals and Aging
Are you aware of the Free Radical Theory of Aging? Up until a little while ago I didn’t know a theory existed. But this theory is actually a leading contender to explain the aging process.
The Free Radical Theory of Aging was first 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 main cause of aging, disease development and inevitably -death. When our main defense mechanism against free radicals – namely antioxidants – are not produced or available in sufficient numbers to combat the free radicals, the damage 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 – when we are missing out on the antiaging benefits of enough antioxidants 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 choose to spend 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 MAX GXL 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.
