Our Subversive Free Radicals VIII

Although the work was directed at amyloid formation, data was also cited that showed the pronounced beneficial effect on the mice’s mortality rate by adding Santoquin antioxidant to the diet. Without the antioxidant in the diet, 20% survived to 1814 months; on diets with 0.2% Santoquin, 20% survived for 23 months. This was not the […]

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Our Subversive Free Radicals VII

Santoquin antioxidant, more familar as a commonly-used feed ingredient by its generic nickname of ethoxyquin, is feed- grade: 6-ethoxy-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline. The structural formula looks like this: H NW CH, CH, CH;CH,O a CH; One of the most familiar (and perhaps important) antioxidants that Mother Nature provides living bodies is Vitamin E. Its most potent isomer, -tocopherol […]

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Our Subversive Free Radicals VI

Hydergine® (made by Sandoz), a prescription drug, can prevent a considerable amount of the damage caused by free radicals in the brain. It is a very powerful antioxidant. It is useful in older persons who have a degree of cerebral hypoxia (insufficient oxygen), in preventing birth defects resulting from inadequate oxygen to the fetal brain […]

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Our Subversive Free Radicals V

BHT has extended the life spans of mice in experiments by Dr. Denham Harman. In some species which have a naturally short life span and tend to die of cancer, the BHT’s life extending effects probably stemmed from its suppression of cancer development. Harman has also demonstrated an increase in average life span with BHT […]

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Our Subversive Free Radicals II

Mutations to your DNA caused by free radicals are a major cause of cancer. Free radicals can make blood clot abnormally in our arteries by destroying our body’s ability to make PGI, (prostacyclin), a natural anti-clot hormone found in healthy arteries. Free radicals are also implicated in arthritis. Most of the brain damage caused by […]

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Our Subversive Free Radicals III

Free radicals are intermediates in many normal and necessary metabolic reactions. Thus, all oxygen-using organisms have had to evolve defensive mechanisms against free radicals: The enzymes catalase and peroxidase break down hydrogen peroxide and other peroxides, superoxide dismutase (called SOD) controls the superoxide free radical, and glutathione peroxidase also controls peroxides. Antioxidants such as vitamins […]

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Our Subversive Free Radicals IV

where: R is an organic molecule ROOH is an organic peroxide R:R are two organic molecules which have been cross-linked to- gether Oz is oxygen Cu is copper, Fe is iron *is the unpaired electron H is a hydrogen atom HO* is a superoxide free radical RO,* and R* are organic free radicals Note that […]

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Cross-linked Molecules and Aging in Skin, Arteries, and Other Tissues V

As we mentioned earlier, some nutrients effective to a degree in slowing cross-linking include cysteine (a sulfur-containing amino acid, which helps maintain sulfur in proteins in the reduced state); vitamins A, B-1, B-5, B-6, C, E; the mineral selenium; and other antioxidants. Removal of calcium and heavy metals from collagen by chelating agents may be […]

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Cross-linked Molecules and Aging in Skin, Arteries, and Other Tissues II

As you grow older, your body becomes stiffer, less elastic, and less agile. This is due to cross-linking at a molecular level. You become stiffer for the same reason that old rubber becomes brittle and stiff—your large structural molecules such as collagen (an important protein in connective tissues) are welded together by cross-links. This process […]

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Aging and the Immune System III

Selenium, a mineral, is an important trace element in immune system function. It has been found in experimental animals to act as an anti-carcinogen and anti-mutagen (can prevent DNA mutations—undesired alterations of your DNA master blueprint in the presence of some mutagenic agents). Selenium is an essential part of your enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which […]

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