Free Radicals

The Health Benefits and Risks of Free Radicals

-by Dr. David Wikenheiser

Free radicals are powerful chemical structures that are essential to good health, but when uncontrolled will contribute to a wide variety of health prob­lems. Antioxidants from our diet, nutritional supplements, and herbal formulas will effectively control free radicals and ensure our good health.

A free radical is an unbalanced chemical structure that will pull electrons from other structures. Oxygen is an ele­ment that is essential to life because of its ability to pull elec­trons in a process known as oxidation. Oxidation benefits life through efficient energy production and immune function. The oxygen driven aerobic production of energy from food is more efficient than anaerobic, without oxygen, energy pro­duction by a factor of nineteen to one. Anaerobic energy pro­duction is insufficient to support health. Oxidation is also an integral part of the operation of the white blood cells of our immune system. White blood cells attack invaders, such as bacteria, with the oxidative free radical peroxide which chemically burns and digests invaders.

Oxygen, oxidation, and free radicals are essential to health. However, uncontrolled free radicals will lead to phys­ical damage and disease. A common example of damaging oxidation occurs when oxygen combines with the element iron to create iron oxide, better known as rust. Uncontrolled oxidative free radicals will predispose us to premature aging, and a variety of diseases, including dementia, ulcerative coli­tis, loss of hearing, cataracts, and even osteoporosis.

Heart disease includes blood vessel damage and blocked blood vessels. The inner lining of blood vessels may be damaged by free radicals, with an effect similar to nico­tine, causing a roughening of the lining. This roughened surface often leads to the formation of calcium and choles­terol plaques and eventually blocked blood vessels. Free radicals in the blood may be absorbed by low density lipids (LDL), often referred to as bad cholesterol. Free radical damaged LDLs are sticky and readily adhere to damaged blood vessel linings, increasing the risk of blocked blood vessels. Free radicals will damage the elastin proteins of the inner lining of blood vessels. The resulting loss of blood vessel elasticity will increase the risk of bruising, strokes, and retinal damage in the eye.

Free radicals may damage nuclear DNA, the blueprint for the cells of our bodies, increasing the risk of cellular per­mutations. Mitochondrial DNA is twenty times more suscepti­ble to free radical damage than nuclear DNA, and a general loss of energy is an early indicator of free radical damage. DNA is composed of thousands of genes, with only a portion being expressed at any one time. Included within our genes are oncogenes, genes that when expressed will lead to the formation of abnormal cells. Increased levels of free radicals will increase the expression of oncogenes and place us at a higher risk of form­ing these abnormal and destructive cells.

Free radicals are controlled within our bodies by antiox­idant enzymes and compounds. Antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase and super oxide dismutase, act to neutralize free rad­icals. The production of antioxidant enzymes requires specific nutrients. Antioxidant nutrients are present in the recom­mended five to ten daily servings of fruit and vegetables. In our high stress world, with increased levels of pollution and decreased food quality due to depleted soils, antioxidant sup­plementation is often required. Useful antioxidant supple­ments include: the vitamins A, C, and E; the minerals selenium and zinc; and the cellular nutrients CoQ 10, lipoic acid, and grape seed oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). While each of these antioxidant nutrients is useful in controlling free rad­icals I have had great success reducing free radical levels with the herbal formula Flor‑Essence.

Flor‑Essence is a decoction of eight herbs: Burdock root, Sheep sorrel, Slippery Elm bark, Turkish rhubarb, Red Clover, Blessed Thistle, Kelp, and Watercress. The individual herbs with studied antioxidant activities include Burdock root, Sheep sorrel, Slippery elm bark, Red Clover, and Blessed Thistle. The formula Flor‑Essence, in addition to its tradition­al use and clinically proven ability to heal the intestinal tract and support liver function, has been shown to have strong antioxidant properties. An antioxidant rating performed by the University of British Columbia demonstrated that Flor-­Essence had significant antioxidant activity.

In July of 2000 I completed a Biological Age study on fourteen adult volunteers, using a Biological Technologies International S‑2000 clinical laboratory test unit. Chronological Age is the number of years an individual has been alive, and is not necessarily a reflection of health. Biological Age is an individual's true internal age, and it is determined by measuring the oxidative free radical load of the blood, saliva, and urine of an individual. The volunteers in this study were instructed to: not consume any supple­ments for the two weeks prior to the first measurements, and for the duration of the study; make no life style changes; con­sume two ounces of Flor‑Essence, twice per day, on an empty stomach, for one month; and be retested in one month. The study demonstrated an average decrease in the oxidative free radicals of the fourteen volunteer's blood of 5.24%, and an average decrease in the Biological Age of the fourteen volunteers of 5.1 years. These are significant measured improvements achieved in an unusually short time.

Optimum health requires the harnessing of the power of oxygen, oxidation, and free radicals to efficiently produce energy and enable white blood cells to attack invaders. Flor­-Essence is an herbal antioxidant formula with clinically proven effectiveness in reducing oxidative free radical levels, a known contributing factor to a wide variety of health problems.

PRODUCT PROFILE:

• Flor‑Essence offers a complete cleanse of the whole body including deep tissue, liver, lungs, kidneys, colon, pancreas, skin, blood and lymphatics.

• The 8 herbs in Flor‑Essence work synergistically as a team which enhances the overall effectiveness of the formula.

• Research supports the numerous healing components of the premium quality herbs which contain trace elements, minerals, phytoestrogens, antioxidants and other active substances.

• Flor‑Essence drastically reduces accumulated levels of toxic material which causes irritation, inflammation, ulceration, swelling and premature degeneration of the cells.

• Flor‑Essence purifies the blood, improves digestion, reduces free radical damage, strengthens organs and increases energy levels.

• Flor‑Essence is gentle, safe and simple to use.

DR. DAVID WIKENHEISER

Dr. Wikenheiser is a licensed Naturopathic Physician in a general family practice in Vancouver British Columbia. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) through the University of the State of New York, and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon with an "Honors in Research. " Dr. Wikenheiser is a member of the B. C. Naturopathic Association, the College of Naturopathic Physicians of B.C., and the Canadian Naturopathic Association. He is Board Certified in Ozone Therapy and Acupuncture.