Cardiologist Thomas E. Levy, M.D. says this:  “Even though traditional medications can control the symptomatic expression of many heart conditions, most do not lessen the oxidative stress that usually accompanies these conditions.  As a result, long term damage and consequences can occur even though symptoms are controlled.”

In other words, the underlying inflammation produced by oxidative stress is still  problematic even with reduced symptoms provided by drugs. The usual effects of electron thievery occurs in oxidative stress.  This causes damage to the mitochondria and chromosomes they contain, increasing risk of permanent damage to the DNA or genetics of the cells.  The ensuing inflammation also invites atherosclerotic plaque accumulation and further damage.

LDL cholesterol and plaque formation attach to inflamed arteries and cause atherosclerosis. This can still proceed in spite of reduced symptoms of high blood pressure, because inflammation is a necessary pre-requisite of atherosclerosis.

Another proof of reduced oxidative damage, relating to high blood pressure, comes when antioxidants like glutathione and vitamins C and E are at optimal levels.  The inflammation is greatly reduced and blood pressure drops.

Glutathione is arguably the most potent resident antioxidant in your body. It defends against toxins and strengthens the immune system against germs that cause disease.  In addition it re-supplies electrons to antioxidant vitamins C and E, the donors for hungry free radicals that cause oxidative damage.  It disarms toxins, fights infection, degenerative diseases and neutralizes foreign substances.

Laboratory studies, providing supplementation with these antioxidants (glutathione raw materials and vitamins C & E) in animals, find a reduction of inflammation and blood pressure.  The same can be said for human subjects.

The bottom line take away is this: If you have high blood pressure…you need to reduce oxidative stress, such as smoking, bad fats and lack of exercise.  Increase good nutrients, especially antioxidants and follow a heart healthy diet like the Mediterranean one.  Especially important for glutathione production are the cruciform vegetables that furnish organic sulfur (broccoli, Brussels’s sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower) …Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: free radical damage, glutathione, high blood pressure, oxidative damage

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant vitamin.  Glutathione is a most powerful master defender and anti oxidant that guards your health.  The two work together. As antioxidants, both vitamin C and glutathione give up electrons to greedy free radicals…the instigators of all degenerative diseases.

In the case of vitamin C, it needs to have electrons replaced to continue it’s efficacy as an antioxidant. Glutathione does this.  If  inflammatory free radicals  are not reduced, serious problems occur with the heart and coronary artery disease.

LDL cholesterol plaque and calcium build up in the arteries and cause atherosclerosis. This literally is  “hardening of the arteries”. There is less flexibility in the arteries and accompanying cardiovascular inflammation.  This results in coronary artery disease, increased blood pressure, increased blood clotting and ultimately more heart attacks and strokes.

Glutathione helps the arteries by producing nitric oxide  (NO), a vasodilator. This relaxes the smooth muscle in the coronary arteries and reduces the risk of spasm that further reduces blood flow to heart muscle.  (Research confirms that glutathione increases NO, relaxes vascular spasm and improves blood flow.)  Most importantly, as an anti oxidant it reduces inflammation and neutralizes toxins. Vitamin C is also a key issue here.

Cardiologist Dr. Levy says:  “The scientific evidence clearly indicates that a focal vitamin C deficiency (”arterial scurvy”) in the endothelial linings of the arteries is the common link between atherosclerosis and all important coronary heart disease risk factors.”

Dr. Levy goes on to say about current medical literature:  “Atherosclerosis cannot be initiated without this condition of arterial scurvy existing first.”

Cardiologist Dr. Levy reports on a 2007 study that concludes, after heart attack, large oxidative damage occurs.  With diminished cardiac antioxidants like vitamin C and glutathione, the damage is more severe.

The bottom line is this:  maintain good levels of glutathione that come from a heart healthy diet of fresh vegetables, fruit, essential amino acids and especially additional alpha lipoic acid, L-carnitine, vitamins C & E, selenium and the omega 3’s. ..Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: anti oxidants, coronary artery disease, Dr. Levy, glutathione, heart disease risk, vitamin C

Glutathione (GSH) is central to immune defense.  It functions to provide:

• A powerful antioxidant
• A potent detoxifier
• A co-factor in enzyme reactions
• “Go power” to the army of white blood cells who fight all invaders
• Amino acid transport to build and repair proteins
• Re-supply of electrons to antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.

Glutathione is a powerful anti oxidant that defeats free radicals which are at the root of all degenerative diseases. Free radicals cause oxidation and inflammation because they are hungry for electrons.  Their chemistry is deficient in one or more electrons.  If they cannot find willing donors, they steal electrons from weaker molecules.  This is enormously disruptive, even to the extent they can change the DNA and genetic code of your cells.  Just as iron rusts due to oxidation, so also do your cells degrade due to oxidation caused by free radicals.

At the vary least, free radicals make the individual cells sick.  At the worst they can cause cancerous tumors to form. Glutathione not only willingly supplies electrons to the greedy free radical compounds but it also helps repair and build proteins.  The joining of GSH with other compounds facilitates the conjugation and repair of proteins where needed.  This is especially important to the preservation of your DNA.

Vitamin C and vitamin E are also good donors of electrons to help fight disease caused by free radical damage.  They do “run out” of electrons but glutathione recharges and re-supplies these needed electrons.  They cannot re-supply themselves.

For those of you who are wondering about electrons…electrons are part of the structure of every atom. They are negatively charged particles that orbit around the central atom nucleus which has a positive charge.  They are much like our solar system.  They are so tiny they cannot be seen but have perpetual energy and are necessary for every function in your body.  All chemical reactions of the body involve electrons, without their availability the body would cease to function.

Toxins corrupt and tax  normal biochemical function. They preferably need to be excreted from your body, whole or in part,  or else they become stored in your fat… or react adversely with your chemistry. Glutathione (GSH) plays an enormous role in this regard.  Without electron exchange and flow, cells and ultimately the body, die.

Inflammation is at the root of all cardiovascular disease…heart attack and stroke. Inflammation is caused by the oxidative effects of free radicals, especially toxic compounds.  Unless neutralized, this inflammation produces atherosclerotic plaque formation, increased blood pressure and cardiovascular accidents (heart failure, heart  attack and stroke).

In numerous studies, glutathione is found to always be deficient when disease conquers your body. This includes cancer, arthritis, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, brain and kidney diseases as well as cardiovascular disease.

Whole foods, as opposed to packaged and preserved ones, especially raw cruciform vegetables, help provide the raw materials your body needs to manufacture glutathione. Toxins and junk food tax and take their toll causing increased disease… eliminate these foods...Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: anti oxidants, electrons, free radicals, glutathione, inflammation

A finding with aging and reduced longevity is the shortening of chromosomes. These contain the genetic code for all of your cells. (Telomeres are the tips of the chromosomes that shorten with age)  Function of the cells naturally deteriorates when there is a shortening of the chromosomes and this affects future generations.

When you are young there is  build up, growth and increase of cell function. The process is called “anabolic”.  With age the breakdown and deterioration of cellular function exceeds build up.  This process is called “catabolic”. Why does this slow down occur? Free radical damage is the answer.

Free radicals steal electrons  and cause oxidative damage to your biochemistry. This  causes aging and breakdown of your cells. Normal biochemistry produces some free radicals but when  scavengers and dietary intake of anti-oxidants is deficient, breakdown and shorted longevity occurs.

Assimilation of whole, raw, healthy food is replaced by packaged foods, excess fats, sugar, and preserved foods. This means that essential vitamins, enzymes, flavenoids, catalysts and phytonutrients found in whole, unprocessed food is deficient.  There are over 3000 enzymes in raw vegetables and fruit…many are lost with heat and preservatives.  There are over 4000 flavenoids…many of unknown function, but important.

Numerous studies demonstrate increased cancer, heart disease and all degenerative diseases when foreign substances (toxins, drugs, and foreign…man adulterated foods, are consumed. Over 80,000 foreign chemicals are known to have  contact with humans. This gives reason why, and argument for, known anti oxidants that neutralize these free radicals.

Supplements that help keep the body from deterioration and aging are vitamins A, E, and C. Other anti-oxidants are CoQ-10, resveratrol and Omega 3’s (essential fatty acids).

Foods that cause excessive free radical damage are too much sugar, fats and the trans fats. ( Trans fats are hydrogenated vegetable oils that have filled all docking sites on the molecule.  This produces an inert foreign substance that is hard to metabolize and get rid of.)

According to Mark Hyman, M.D., large, regular doses of drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), deplete an important natural anti oxidant, glutathione. Glutathione is a very powerful anti oxidant that is an immune builder and anti inflammatory agent.  It is one of the body’s best anti oxidants and disease killers.

Long term use of a drug (or a foreign substance) can cause cognitive decline. Foreign substances become neurotoxins that pollute neurotransmission. (normal message conduction and communication)

Good diet and good supplements are real assets for longevity in contrast to the popular notion that treating symptoms with drugs can make you more healthy…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: aging, anti oxidants, free radical damage, glutathione, longevity