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Coronary Artery Disease…Free Radical Damage & Inflammation
By admin | July 12, 2010
Coronary artery disease is propelled by free radical damage that causes inflammation.
In recent years it has come into focus that free radicals such as smoking and inflammatory toxins or foods produce the degenerative diseases of aging. It is well established that inflammation is the key destructive force ultimately causing coronary artery disease. How does this happen? Why are some people more affected than others? Throughout the history of mankind there was always a search for extending longevity and normal lifespans. It is only in recent years that many of the secrets of aging have come to light, but inflammation is the key. The whole process is complex, but on a biochemical level we know much more now.
Key to all aging is the free radical damage. Just what is free radical damage? It is a chemical process on a molecular level that involves the electrons that every atom has. Atoms are the basic elements that go into the building of molecules and compounds that make up all matter. It just so happens that the organic molecules of your body are extremely complex yet are still subject to the laws of biophysics.
Every atom has electrons perpetually circulating around the nucleus of the atom. They are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of the atom and are the most reactive part of the chemical process. The whole body, including thinking, is propelled by chemical reactions. There is a constant exchange of electrons and up-building as well as breakdown of chemical processes. The problem of free radical damage occurs when incomplete compounds, in need of electrons, steal their needed electrons from other weaker compounds. This causes oxidative damage and inflammation, the mother of all degenerative disease.
Oxidative, free radical damage often becomes cumulative. This occurs when there are too few electron donors (called anti-oxidants). All chemical processes of the body produce some free radicals. (Even exercise and digestion) The problem occurs when the body is overwhelmed with too many free radicals and too few anti-oxidant donors. This easily occurs because the environment is loaded with toxins, foreign substances along with the poor dietary intake for the needed electron donors anti-oxidants.
Compounds deficient in electrons are somewhat analogous to a vacuum force, pulling in electrons. They tend to suck in the needed electrons to make their atom or molecule more stable. They cause inflammation. Inflammation in coronary arteries produces an accumulation of dangerous plaque that can result in a heart attack. This plaque is called atherosclerosis. It increases blood pressure and clot formation that can obstruct coronary arteries, producing the heart attack. This is what defines coronary artery disease.
Where do the needed electrons come from? They are best released and donated from anti-oxidant compounds like vitamins A, C and E, polyphenols, as well as certain enzymes like glutathione that are designed just for that purpose. These substances carry extra, or donor, electrons. In addition, certain bioflavonoids, most richly available in fruits and vegetables, are also excellent donors. This is why a good diet is so important to a healthy and long life. Anti-oxidants have spare electrons to give. This makes them most available so that the hungry free radicals do not rob electrons from weaker compounds.
The victims of the theft (the weak molecules) are then sick and when trillions of them accumulate, your body ages and slows down. So here is what happens in the process of aging and free radical damage on a molecular level.
As already alluded to, oxidative damage is the process whereby substances deficient in electrons damage other atoms or molecules. A good example is the rusting of iron. It is called oxidation. Oxidation in artery linings attracts cholesterol and calcium and results in a plaque buildup; the condition is called atherosclerosis. It is sometimes also called hardening of the arteries or arteriosclerosis.
Free radical damage can happen throughout the body. This is oxidative damage on a cellular level, with its accompanying inflammation. This process results in a shorter lifespan. You may be asking, I thought oxygen was good for you? It is; however, too much oxygen causes free radical damage. Oxygen is needed by every cell but excessive amounts are destructive. There is a limit to the aerobic (oxygen) capacity.
Just as most food substances are good in adequate amounts, overabundance is destructive to health. It upsets the chemical balance.
Glutathione has especially shown itself a powerful anti-aging agent in other experiments. Anti-oxidant vitamins like C and E lose the spare electron and become ineffective as anti-oxidants. Glutathione is able to replenish the spare electron lost by vitamins C and E. These vitamins are no longer suicidal in anti-oxidant function but are re-charged and re-cycled to be anti-oxidants again.
The bottom line is this. Breakthrough recent research has uncovered the process that causes aging. Free radical damage increases aging and degenerative diseases like heart disease and cancer. Why breakdown sometimes occurs and sometimes does not often hinges on anti-oxidant activity that cancels out the oxidative damage.
The evidence of why free radical oxidative damage is so destructive is evident in the shortening of the telomere caps on your chromosomes. Shortened telomeres correlate to and measure the degree of aging process in the whole body. This subject is worthy of a whole blog post that will soon follow..Denis Van Loan D.D.S.
Topics: Alternative, Health, Heart Disease, alternative health, cardiovascular disease, hypertension | 1 Comment »
July 12th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
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