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Anti-Aging Strategies for Health and Longevity The Antioxidants Glutathione and Vitamin E [The October, 2005, column began the discussion of antioxidants with vitamin C. To resume, here is a condensed version of the introduction to that column.] In order to discuss the first category of dietary supplements, antioxidants, we need to define free radicals. Free radicals cause the progressive deterioration of biological systems over time and help to accelerate the aging process. Antioxidants are any of a large class of substances that neutralize free radicals before they cause damage; a substance added to a product to prevent or delay its deterioration by oxygen in the air; or a substance that blocks or inhibits destructive oxidation reactions. A simple illustration of how antioxidants work in the body is an apple. If you cut a piece from an apple and let it sit in the open air, it begins to turn brown, and if left out, will deteriorate rapidly. The browning of the apple shows how the free radicals in oxygen cause damage. The antioxidant process is shown by sprinkling a few drops of fresh lemon juice on half of another apple as soon as it is cut open, while leaving the other half untreated. Lemon juice is extremely high in antioxidant vitamin C. Compare the two halves after a day or so. The apple half treated with the lemon juice takes a much longer time to turn brown than the second apple half without the lemon juice on it. This is a good illustration of how one dietary supplement that is an antioxidant, vitamin C, works. Just as the cells of the apple are prevented from quickly turning brown by adding the lemon juice, antioxidant dietary supplements work in a similar fashion on the many trillions of cells in the body. Glutathione Glutathione is an amino acid compound that is a valuable antioxidant and detoxifier. It is a naturally occurring protein that binds to toxins such as heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides, allowing them to be excreted in urine. Glutathione is a tripeptide, a small protein made from the amino acids cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. As a primary antioxidant, it helps eliminate mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel, formaldehyde, pesticides, and other toxins. Glutathione also helps prevent the over accumulation of medications and xenobiotics, toxins produced by candida and fungal infections. Glutathione levels sharply decrease under stress and fatigue, not only compromising the liver’s ability to detoxify harmful elements, but decreasing energy production beginning a cycle of decreased energy fatigue. How can we keep our glutathione levels up? Natural forms of glutathione can be found in minerals often obtained from green foods. So if you include foods like avocados, watermelon, asparagus, winter squash and grapefruit, okra, oranges, fresh new tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, cantaloupe, strawberries, peaches, lettuce, peas, parsley, cilantro, kale, collards, turnip greens, garlic, green peppers or green powdered drinks that include spirulina, barley grasses, wheat grass, and whey, you will be getting your glutathione without any problem. Some research studies have shown that garlic extract, especially aged garlic, boosts cell glutathione, helping to fight free radicals linked to cancer and aging, and supports immunity. A 2002 study found that high glutathione levels have been found in women ages 60 to 103 years old who are in excellent physical and mental health. Several years ago the cases of a couple of women patients complaining of candida symptoms, an overgrowing of a yeast-like fungi in the regions of the body where normal yeast growth is found, such as the mouth, skin, intestinal tract, and vagina, demonstrates the effectiveness of glutathione in healing. Their symptoms were severe itching and white blotches on the skin and around the mouth. Other symptoms can be severe cramping as well as constipation and diarrhea. In as little as three weeks on a diet rich in antioxidants, especially glutathione, and including a special whey powder, the symptoms not only improved but in most cases returned to normal. High doses of colostrum were also used. Glutathione (GSH) is a key antioxidant used by the body to deactivate environmental toxins. Because GSH tends to break down before it can be absorbed in the blood, health care professionals recommend “GSH precursors”—supplements that stimulate natural production of GSH in the body. For oral supplementation, the most effective GSH precursors are N-acetylcysteine (NAC) at 200 milligrams daily, and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) at 100 milligrams daily. Certain botanical supplements, including milk thistle (Silybum marianum), 100 mg. daily, and turmeric (Curcuma longa), 100 mg. daily, have also been shown to raise glutathione levels and to protect the liver from toxin damage. Vitamin E Unquestionably, Vitamin E is the best-known antioxidant and is the principal protective agent found in cells. Natural vitamin E is a combination of eight related compounds, each with activities that differ slightly. These include four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) and four tocotrienols, also designated by the Greek alphabet. Its job is to scavenge free radicals that attempt to enter into cells. In the 1980s, it was established that levels of vitamin E drop as we age, necessitating higher intake to achieve anti-aging benefits. Vitamin E may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of the following health conditions: • Acne • Alzheimer’s disease • Angina pectoris • Asthma • Atherosclerosis • Breast cancer • Diabetes • Epilepsy • Fibrocystic breast disease • Gout • Graves’ disease • Infertility (male) • Inflammatory bowel disease • Macular degeneration • Menopause • Migraine • Multiple sclerosis • Oral cancers • Osteoarthritis • Parkinson’s disease • Peptic ulcers • Peripheral vascular disease • PMS • Pregnancy-induced hypertension • Psoriasis • Rheumatoid arthritis • Senile cataracts • Squamous cancer • Stroke • Tardive dyskinesia • Vaginitis There are numerous cases we can quote where vitamin E played an important role. Here are two. A woman in her thirties diagnosed with breast cancer was working with a doctor using alternative medicine and worked closely with her oncologist. His vitamin regimen for her included 800 international units of vitamin E complemented by 200 micrograms of selenium daily. The woman reported such good results that she shared them with her breast cancer healing support group who also began taking the same doses of these vitamins. Within ninety days, they reported significant progress. The oncologist was so impressed with these results that he included these vitamins in his treatment therapy. The next case illustrates a common ailment in men and women with restless leg syndrome. People with restless leg syndrome usually have cramps in one or both legs while sleeping as well as constant movement of one or both legs while sleeping. Obviously, those with this syndrome have difficulty getting a good night’s sleep. Once more, 800 international units of naturally derived vitamin E was recommended. The results were positive in several cases; usually within ninety days, a dramatic change occurred for the better. Vitamin E helps to reduce the risk of stroke by discouraging the formation of LDL cholesterol (which builds up in the arteries) and encouraging HDL formation. It also improves insulin action in older individuals and those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, raises levels of glutathione, protects against exercise-induced oxidative damage, slows the development of cataracts, reduces inflammation, enhances immune response, and reduces cognitive decline in aging. The tocotrienols have anti-aging therapeutic activity beyond that of vitamin E. In fact, gamma-tocotrienol is the most potent cholesterol-lowering member of the entire E family. Recent studies have shown that tocotrienols lower a number of lipid-related risk factors, including total cholesterol, LDL, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein A (gamma-tocotrienol 200 mg. per day lowered cholesterol 31 percent), and suppress inflammatory agents. A daily prescription for vitamin E and tocotrienols is: • Vitamin E from natural mixed tocopherols, 200 International Units. The natural form of vitamin E is listed as d-alpha-tocopherol; the synthetic form is listed as dl-alpha-tocopherol (watch out for the L after the D). • Natural mixed tocotrienols, 100 International Units. Vitamin E is normally obtained from eating orange, green and tan foods like apricots, grapefruits, oranges, papayas, dulse, eggs, kelp, desiccated liver, milk, oatmeal, organ meats, soybeans, sweet potatoes, watercress, wheat and wheat germ. Also cold-pressed vegetable oils, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains like brown rice and cornmeal contain significant amounts of vitamin E. Herbs that contain this vitamin are dandelion, alfalfa, bladderwrack, dong quai, flaxseed, nettle, oat straw, raspberry leaf, and rose hips. “Detox ABCs” by Amber Ackerson. (Better Nutrition magazine, October, 2002, Vol. 64, Issue 10.) Better Nutrition magazine, February, 2005, Vol. 67, Issue 2.) The Anti-Aging Solution by V. Giampapa. (2004.) C.A. Lang, B.J. Mills, H.L. Lang. (Journal of Laboratory & Clinical Medicine, December, 2002.) “Supplement Snapshot.” (Prevention magazine, October, 2005, Vol. 57, Issue 10.) Steven and Rose Novil are doctors of nutrition and naturopathy. Steven practices in Chicago and has lectured at international conferences on Anti-Aging as well as locally, and is an advisor to major supplement companies. In addition to her degrees in health, Rose is also a Professor of Library Services at Oakton Community College, consulting with Steven and researching new developments in the field of Anti-Aging. Readers are reminded to always check with their health care provider before starting any health regimen. This information is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or disease; it is for educational purposes only. Steven can be reached by phone at 312-458-9676 (24 hour voicemail) or at livonlivon@yahoo.com, website: www.drknow.meta-ehealth.com. |
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