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.

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A key ingredient for causing arteriosclerosis is the accumulation of calcified plaque that lines the blood vessels and linings of the heart. This arteriosclerosis occurs when there is inflammation in the blood vessels and it attracts LDL (low density lipids) cholesterol.  Cholesterol alone is not the problem but rather inflammation in the blood vessels. Calcium sticks to inflamed artery linings and also helps LDL cholesterol become attached.

Even if an artery doses not rupture to cause a heart attack or stroke, the same kind of cardiovascular accident occurs if a plaque that lines the blood vessels chips off and plugs the coronary artery or the cerebral artery. When blood flow stops to part of the heart tissue it dies or necroses.  The same thing occurs in the brain. Dead cells in the heart or brain compromise the function of these organs.

It behooves us to control inflammation by paying attention to diet and intake of substances that inflame the blood vessels. (Check out other risk factors on this site.)  Certain mineral and vitamins are also crucial to cardiovascular health.  Arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis is truly a significant risk factor in both coronary heart disease and in cerebral artery disease…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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Arteriosclerosis occurs where the linings of arteries accumulate plaque that consists of LDL cholesterol, calcium, heavy metals and other contaminants. A number of studies show that arteriosclerosis can be reduced by chelation. Chelation usually involves use of a mild acid, EDTA (ethylene diamine-tetra-acidic acid). Oral chelation has shown some success, but the most effective chelation is the intra-veinous injection of EDTA, under the supervision of a medical doctor.

The lack of oxygen to heart muscle often produces a condition called angina pectoris, causing chest pain. This occurs when there is physical exertion and the needed oxygen supply to heart muscle is inadequate. The shrunken lumen of the artery does not allow enough blood flow. It is considered a warning sign of heart disease. Complete blockage of coronary arteries or cerebral arteries can cause life a threatening heart attack or stroke…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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Arteriosclerosis causes heart disease because the cholesterol plaque lining your arteries can chip off and plug the coronary arteries causing an infarct or blockage that kills heart tissue.  This necrosis or tissue death results when nutrient and oxygen supply is obstructed from getting to the muscle cells of the heart.

Another indirect consequence for the heart, because of smoking, is caused from toxic irritation of the lungs, making oxygenation of the blood less efficient.  This affect your total health. Aside from causing heart disease, there are increased degenerative diseases like cancer, premature aging and periodontal disease…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: arteriosclerosis, cholesterol plaque, heart disease, smoking causes heart disease

Even if an artery doses not rupture to cause a heart attack or stroke, the same kind of cardiovascular accident occurs if a plaque that lines the blood vessels chips off and plugs the coronary artery or the cerebral artery. When blood flow stops to part of the heart tissue it dies or necroses.  The same thing occurs in the brain. Dead cells in the heart or brain compromise the function of these organs.

A key ingredient for causing arteriosclerosis is the accumulation of calcified plaque that lines the blood vessels and linings of the heart.  This arteriosclerosis occurs when there is inflammation in the blood vessels and it attracts LDL (low density lipids) cholesterol.  Cholesterol alone is not the problem but rather inflammation in the blood vessels.

It behooves us to control inflammation by paying attention to diet and intake of substances that inflame the blood vessels. Certain mineral and vitamins are also crucial to cardiovascular health.  Arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis is truly a significant risk factor in both coronary heart disease and in cerebral artery disease…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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