Antioxidants 101

By Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS

There’s a theory called the free radical theory of aging that holds that oxidative damage is responsible for everything we associate with getting old—that we are literally “rusting” from the inside out, all due to the work of—you guessed it—free radicals.

Enter antioxidants. The damage to your cells and DNA that free radicals do is known as oxidative damage, or oxidation, and antioxidants are the cavalry that protect you from that damage.

Beyond Vitamins C and E

The best-known antioxidants are vitamins C and E, but there are actually thousands of nutrients in the plant kingdom that are natural, powerful antioxidants.

Many (though not all) antioxidants can be taken in supplement form and seem to work best in combination. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one example. CoQ10 is not a vitamin, not a mineral, not even a plant chemical, but it is one of the most powerful antioxidants on the planet. It’s synthesized in all our tissues, and is essential for the production of energy. But we get almost none from our diet, and our bodies make less as we grow older. It not only protects membranes against oxidation, it also helps regenerate another antioxidant—vitamin E. The heart especially relies on CoQ10. A good recommended dose for general protection is 30 to 60 milligrams per day, but anyone on a statin medication (which depletes CoQ10), or with heart issues, should take considerably more (at least 100 milligrams per day).

Potent, Important, and Powerful Antioxidants

Alpha-lipoic acid is another terrific antioxidant that not only scavenges free radicals and helps protect cells, but also regenerates both vitamin C and vitamin E. Lester Packer, PhD, professor and senior researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, calls alpha-lipoic acid “probably the most potent naturally occurring antioxidant known to man.” A typical daily dose is 60 to 100 milligrams daily.

Glutathione is arguably the most important antioxidant in the body. It’s very difficult to get from supplements since it’s broken down in the gut before it can get to the tissues. The best way to boost glutathione stores—very important for overall health—is to give the body the building blocks it needs to make glutathione by itself. These building blocks, called precursors, include whey protein powder and NAC (N-acetylcysteine), an excellent antioxidant in its own right and a powerful protector of the liver to boot. The recommended dose is 600 to 1,000 milligrams daily.

In addition to potentially having the ability to slow aging, resveratrol is also a powerful antioxidant. It’s found in red wine and the skin of dark grapes, and is available as a supplement. Be sure to take the trans-resveratrol form—about 250 milligrams daily.

Selenium is an important mineral that almost no one gets enough of, and it has multiple health benefits, one of which is that it’s an antioxidant. I recommend at least 100 (preferably 200)micrograms a day in supplement form, as it is not found in great amounts in food (the best dietary source by far is Brazil nuts).

Finally, I’m a big fan of olive leaf complex. It is loaded with antioxidant polyphenols, which also support the immune system in a number of ways.

Foods that have consistently been found to pack the greatest antioxidant punch include prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, kale, beans, cranberries, and pomegranate juice.

Brazilian Acai Berry Destroys Cancer Cells!!!

Brazilian Acai Berry Destroys Cancer Cells in the Lab.

The UF study demonstrates that research on foods not commonly consumed in the United States is important, because it may lead to unexpected discoveries, said Joshua Bomser, an assistant professor of Molecular Nutrition and Functional Foods at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

But familiar produce items have plenty of health-giving qualities, he said.

“Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk for many diseases, including heart disease and cancer,” said Bomser, who researches the effects of diet on chronic diseases. “Getting at least five servings a day of these items is still a good recommendation for promoting optimal health.”

Berry Extracts Stop Cancer Cell Growth in the Lab

Antioxidant-rich extracts from a wide range of berries, including blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, could inhibit cell growth and spread for a wide range of cancers, researchers from UCLA have reported.

The researchers, led by Navinda Seeram from UCLA's Center for Human Nutrition, characterized the phenolic content of six berries and tested their ability to inhibit the growth of human oral, prostate, breast and colon cell lines.

"Our studies provide preliminary data as to the ability of these compounds to inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of different human cancer cells lines in vitro," wrote Seeram in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The scientists used high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) to evaluate the phenolic content of red and black raspberries, cranberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries.

They report that the main phenolic constituents were found to be anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, ellagitannins, galltannins, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acids. Each berry had a different and unique phenolic content.

Seeram and colleagues then tested the extracts for anti-cancer potential for a range of human cancer cell lines. Concentrations of berry extracts from 25 to 200 microlitres per millilitre were tested for their ability to stop the spread and induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis) of human oral (KB, CAL-27), prostate (LNCaP), breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29, HCT116) cell lines.

"It is noteworthy that the test concentrations of the berry extracts used in these cell culture experiments far exceed levels of phenolics and/or their metabolites achievable physiologically, based on current knowledge of polyphenol bioavailability," said the researchers. Because extrapolations cannot be made between cell culture studies to humans, future animal and human studies should be designed to investigate the potential of berries for the prevention… of chronic human diseases such as cancer," they concluded.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Filed under Research, Health, Sciences, Agriculture on Thursday, January 12, 2006.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A Brazilian berry popular in health food contains antioxidants that

destroyed cultured human cancer cells in a recent University of Florida study, one of the

first to investigate the fruit’s purported benefits.

Published today in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the study showed

extracts from acai (ah-SAH’-ee) berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86

percent of leukemia cells tested, said Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with UF’s

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“Acai berries are already considered one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants,”

Talcott said. “This study was an important step toward learning what people may gain

from using beverages, dietary supplements or other products made with the berries.”

He cautioned that the study, funded by UF sources, was not intended to show whether

compounds found in acai berries could prevent leukemia in people.

“This was only a cell-culture model and we don’t want to give anyone false hope,” Talcott

said. “We are encouraged by the findings, however. Compounds that show good activity

against cancer cells in a model system are most likely to have beneficial effects in our

bodies.”

Other fruits, including grapes, guavas and mangoes, contain antioxidants shown to kill

cancer cells in similar studies, he said. Experts are uncertain how much effect

antioxidants have on cancer cells in the human body, because factors such as nutrient

absorption, metabolism and the influence of other biochemical processes may influence

the antioxidants’ chemical activity.

Another UF study, slated to conclude in 2006, will investigate the effects of acai’s

antioxidants on healthy human subjects, Talcott said. The study will determine how well

the compounds are absorbed into the blood, and how they may affect blood pressure,

cholesterol levels and related health indicators. So far, only fundamental research has

been done on acai berries, which contain at least 50 to 75 as-yet unidentified

compounds.

“One reason so little is known about acai berries is that they’re perishable and are

traditionally used immediately after picking,” he said. “Products made with processed

acai berries have only been available for about five years, so researchers in many parts

of the world have had little or no opportunity to study them.”

Talcott said UF is one of the first institutions outside Brazil with personnel studying acai

berries. Besides Talcott, UF’s acai research team includes Susan Percival, a professor

with the food science and human nutrition department, David Del Pozo-Insfran, a

doctoral student with the department and Susanne Mertens-Talcott, a postdoctoral

associate with the pharmaceutics department of UF’s College of Pharmacy.

Acai berries are produced by a palm tree known scientifically as Euterpe oleracea,

common in floodplain areas of the Amazon River, Talcott said. When ripe, the berries

are dark purple and about the size of a blueberry. They contain a thin layer of edible pulp

surrounding a large seed.

Historically, Brazilians have used acai berries to treat digestive disorders and skin

conditions, he said. Current marketing efforts by retail merchants and Internet

businesses suggest acai products can help consumers lose weight, lower cholesterol

and gain energy.

“A lot of claims are being made, but most of them haven’t been tested scientifically,”

Talcott said. “We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the acai berry and

its health-promoting effects.”

In the current UF study, six different chemical extracts were made from acai fruit pulp,

and each extract was prepared in seven concentrations.

Four of the extracts were shown to kill significant numbers of leukemia cells when

applied for 24 hours. Depending on the extract and concentration, anywhere from about

35 percent to 86 percent of the cells died.

The UF study demonstrates that research on foods not commonly consumed in the

United States is important, because it may lead to unexpected discoveries, said Joshua

Bomser, an assistant professor of molecular nutrition and functional foods at The Ohio

State University in Columbus, Ohio.

But familiar produce items have plenty of health-giving qualities, he said.

“Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk for

many diseases, including heart disease and cancer,” said Bomser, who researches the

effects of diet on chronic diseases. “Getting at least five servings a day of these items is

still a good recommendation for promoting optimal health.”

Credits

Writer - Tom Nordlie, tnordlie@ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-0400, ext. 276

Source - Stephen Talcott, sttalcott@ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1991, ext. 218

Source - Joshua Bomser, jbomser@hec.ohio-state.edu, (614) 247-6622

http://news.ufl.edu/2006/01/12/berries/

"Scientists have observed in the laboratory that the cells and other components of the immune system are capable of destroying malignant tumor cells. They have found that certain antibodies that recognize tumor cells help the macrophages and the natural killer cells accomplish their mission. Over the years, further study of the immue system has demonstrated that the body defends itself against cancer in much the same way that it seeks to eliminate other intruders such as bacteria and viruses. Further study of the immune system is expected to reveal ways to bolster it, allowing the body to become a more active partner in the fight against cancer."

-The Cancer Research Institute

A Toast to Resveratrol

Resveratrol has been shown in studies to inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines and tumors. It’s a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; it ramps up detoxification enzymes in the liver; protects the heart through several different mechanisms; and also protects brain cells...

By Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS

Why this magic compound may be the closest thing to an antiaging elixir

Want to live longer? Eat less.

Sorry. Don’t kill the messenger. Calorie restriction is the only strategy that has been consistently shown to extend life in every species studied so far. Feed rats about one-third less than they normally eat, and faster than you can say “Methuselah,” they live approximately 50 percent longer than their normal lifespan. It’s worked in yeast, fruit flies, mice, the aforementioned rats, and—most recently—in rhesus monkeys.

And though the likelihood of a long-term human trial comparing “free-eating” and “calorie-restricted” subjects over a couple of decades is pretty remote, all indications are that reducing calories would extend life in our own species just as it does in every other one that’s been studied. So that’s simple enough, right? Just reduce your calories by about 33 percent, and you’ll have a nice, long, healthy life. OK, class dismissed, lesson learned.

Yeah, right. As you can imagine, that particular strategy is not winning the popularity sweepstakes. Which is why there’s been so much attention focused on a little plant chemical called resveratrol.

To understand exactly how resveratrol exerts its antiaging magic, we have to go back to those calorie-deprived rats. Apparently, caloric restriction turns on a set of genes known as the sirtuin genes, which are considered to be major influencers of how long we live. “The sirtuin genes are the holy grail of medicine and nutrition,” says Mark Houston, MD. “These genes turn on or turn off different metabolic pathways that are designed to promote longevity and health.”

Back in 2003, David Sinclair, MD, a researcher at Harvard Medical School, began investigating the sirtuin genes. To everyone’s delight, Sinclair discovered that there was another way to turn on these genes. He and his associates published a now-famous paper reporting that plant compounds known as polyphenols could activate the human SIRT1 gene. And the polyphenol that seemed to do this best was resveratrol.

Resveratrol is found in red wine; the skin of young, unripe red grapes; grape seeds; purple grape juice; and, to a lesser extent, in peanuts and mulberries.

If resveratrol lives up to its promise, it may not only extend life, but also improve its quality. Resveratrol has been shown in studies to inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines and tumors. It’s a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; it ramps up detoxification enzymes in the liver; protects the heart through several different mechanisms; and also protects brain cells.

So should you add resveratrol to your daily supplement regimen? I certainly think so, and I’m not alone. The total amount of resveratrol in a capsule isn’t as important as the amount of trans-resveratrol—the bioactive form that seems to have all the benefit.

The higher quality resveratrol products on the market are “standardized” for a certain percentage of trans-resveratrol. “No one knows the correct dose in humans,” says Houston, “but any amount should have health benefits.” The smart money is betting that 250 milligrams or more of the trans-resveratrol form should have an effect on aging and health. For 500-milligram capsules standardized to 20 percent trans that would be two-and-a-half capsules per day, three just to be safe!

The Perricone Promise & Acai Nutrition

Acai has been proven to be a natural superfood for health and weight loss properties. Dr. Perricone did not call it the world's # 1 super food for nothing. Studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. Acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.

ANTIOXIDANTS: are substances (i.e., vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients) known for their ability to counteract the oxidation process in the body. By helping maintain the integrity of your cells, antioxidants play an important role in supporting your good health.

PHYTONUTRIENTS: are naturally occurring plant nutrients found in vegetables and fruit. Especially desirable for their beneficial contribution to overall health, some studies suggest that phytonutrients help support a healthy immune system.

HEALTHY FATS: (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and plant sterols) in the right amount are important for the role they play in supporting your body’s efforts to maintain a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. In addition to being a source of energy, fats are necessary or proper body function and help support the health of your hair and skin.

AMINO ACIDS: are the building blocks of protein. They can be linked together in a number of sequences to form a variety of proteins with unique functions in the body. Protein is vital to the formation of body tissue and cells.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS: are essential for your proper growth and development, and are required for certain metabolic reactions in the body.

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES: play a number of important roles in the body, including the storage and transport of energy.

DIETARY FIBER: comes in two forms—soluble and insoluble; both forms have long been established as a significant boon to digestive system health.

www.MoreThanJuice.ca

MonaVie and Diabetes

People say a lot of things about MonaVie, but there is a category of people that are still wondering if MonaVie can help against diabetes. What these people are looking for is a way to help them fight this affection and have a general improved health. Can the MonaVie drink do this?

In this article, we will analyze some of the aspects regarding MonaVie and Diabetes so that we can see if this health juice has some benefits for diabetics. If it does then that is great and if it doesn’t then at least you will know and move on.

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.1

The MonaVie juice has among its components some little fruits called prunes. You must have heard about them for sure. These fruits are widely used for preventing and also treating affections that relate to aging and they are also used for…the treatment of diabetes. So, the fact that the MonaVie fruit juice has prunes is a good reason why it will be good against diabetes.

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.2

This little truth regards MonaVie and blood sugar, as the health drink has very little sugar, which is the sugar coming from the fruits inside it, and this is why this açai  based juice is safe for people with diabetes.

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.3

Have you ever heard of bilberries? If you do not know anything about these little fruits, then you will be interested to know that they are used in treating a diabetes related affection. The known fact about bilberries is that they are being utilized to strengthen our eye capillaries and also used in the treatment of night blindness.

But, what not many individuals know is that the fruits are also utilized against diabetes related eye disorders as they have the capacity to slow down this kind of affections.

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.4

Here is a question that people are asking about MonaVie and diabetes:Can Type I diabetics drink Monarch products? Is this safe for the?

And here is the answer to this question:It is very rare for a Diabetic Type I to be overweight, and in this case, it is not infrequent for Diabetic Type I to be misdiagnosed as such and really be Diabetic Type II. Typically the shakes, bars, and vitamins can be used as snacks, although, as always, we recommend that you consult with your health care provider. With diabetes, it is always advisable to check sugar blood levels regularly, especially when you make any changes in diet.

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.5

Another one of the MonaVie ingredients called aronia is also a good helper for diabetes. This fruit is used in treatments for cardiac illnesses and cancer. The aronia fruit has trace minerals which make it a great anti-diabetic food.

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.6

You probably have not heard of the goji fruit before, have you? This fruit is also known as wolfberry and in China, the country of its origins is called “the herb of longevity”. Why is it called this way? Because of its great amount of antioxidants that help our immune system and offer an extra amount of longevity to the people that consume this fruit.

This fruit is extremely helpful for a large amount of affections and diseases, but what we are interested in is if wolfberry can help against diabetes. And, yes it can. The fruit is used in formulating treatments for this affection.

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.7

Here is a question that people are asking about MonaVie and diabetes:Is MonaVie Active safe for people with diabetes?

And here is the answer to this question:“Technically glucosamine is a carbohydrate. The body is not able to convert it into glucose so it does not provide additional sources of glucose. If you are a diabetic, check first with your doctor and always monitor your blood sugar. In diabetes, many factors can lead to changing blood sugar levels. Studies show glucosamine did not affect insulin sensitivity in humans.” (Pouwels 2001)

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.8

And yet another one of the MonaVie ingredients which is named pomegranate is able to help people that are diabetics. This fruit has many antioxidants, in fact it has a larger quantity of antioxidants than the known red wine (and red wine has plenty too), and even more than cranberry juice and green tea.

Now, if you haven’t heard of this fruit and even if you have, you probably do not know that it is used for a very special thing which is clearing plaque from our inner arterial walls. And, after a couple of complex studies, it has discovered that pomegranate is also efficient in fighting diabetes.

MonaVie and Diabetes - Truth no.9

The Acerola cherries, one of the ingredients of the MonaVie drink, is able to fight against diabetes. Its great amounts of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins make it a redoubtable adversary of diabetes.

So this is another plus in the MonaVie and Diabetes game. It seems that MonaVie is truly helpful for people with diabetes as it has a lot of ingredients that are separately used for treating diabetes.

And, we even have an interesting MonaVie and Diabetes testimonials from someone who has experienced the effects of this health drink on himself. Read it and see what you think.

MonaVie and Diabetes testimonial

“I am 27 years old, and my work includes having been a Bounty Hunter in Colorado for about 8 years. About 4 years ago, I noticed I was losing the feeling in my feet. Walking became increasingly difficult because the numbness was making it hard to balance myself. The doctor told me I had Type II diabetes and had probably had it for 5-6 years. I started drinking ‘Açai  Active Blend’ on January 8th, 2005 and by March I had gained back almost all the feeling in my feet. Walking is natural and easy again, and my knees don’t crack the way they used to.

I’m drinking a total of around 3 ounces a day. I’m also giving my 5-year-old daughter two ounces a day of the ‘Açai  Original Blend’. After about 6-8 weeks, I began noticing that she was much more calm and relaxed. She seemed to have a new sense of well being and serenity about her and was thinking things through before just acting on them as she’d done in the past. Even her teacher at school has commented and says Laree is now getting her work done on time, has much better concentration and is less aggressive on the playground. This product has made a dramatic difference in our lives, and I’ll greatly appreciate it forever.” Shaun Lawrence – Colorado

If you have a MonaVie and Diabetes testimonial please send it to us and we will publish it here, on this page, for other people to see as well.

MonaVie and Diabetes conclusion

So, did we answer the question about MonaVie and diabetes? Can diabetics drink MonaVie? The answer, from what we have analyzed today, is yes they can.

But, like always, when dealing with affections, do not only rely on this juice or on any other thing for that matter to treat your problems. You should always consult a doctor before doing anything.

http://www.thejuiceguide.com/MonaVie-and-diabetes/