Antioxidants

The most widely followed theory of aging is the free radical theory, first proposed in 1954. Free radicals are molecules that "oxidize" other molecules by stealing an electron from them. Subsequently, that molecule, which is now missing an electron, becomes a free radical itself as it tries to steal an electron from somewhere else in order to fill its empty electron space. A chain reaction ensues as one free radical generates another free radical, and cellular damage and aging is typically the result.

So just as iron oxidizes into rust, and silver tarnishes through an oxidative process, we humans also experience oxidative damage on a daily basis. Some of the causes are radiation from sunlight, inhalation of air pollution and smoke, alcohol consumption, exercise, and even the body's natural metabolic processes.. Because of the damage that oxidation can do, the body produces its own antioxidants to protect itself from this process. Antioxidants are molecules that "quench" free radicals by donating an electron to the process, and thus stopping the chain reaction. As an antioxidant donates an electron to this process, it becomes a pro-oxidant (though not as reactive as the free radical it quenched), and thus must be quenched itself. Different antioxidants are required to neutralize different free radicals, and certain antioxidants are capable of recycling other vitamins and antioxidants that have been used up in quenching the oxidative process.

Most food antioxidants such as vitamin C are concentrated in fruits and vegetables. Since epidemiological studies show that cultures that eat high levels of food antioxidants have lower rates of degenerative disease, it seems logical to suspect that the reason for their better health is the additional antioxidants in their diets.

HPL Mix has a wide variety of various antioxidants that have been shown to decrease free radical damage. The amounts of gingko biloba, lipoic acid, CoQ10, and tocotrienols are all based on recommendations from Lester Packer, Ph. D. in his book The Antioxidant Miracle. Lester Packer is regarded as the world's foremost antioxidant research scientist. He heads the Packer Lab at UC Berkley, and has studied antioxidants for nearly five decades.

By following the leading research, we believe it will be possible to live a dramatically longer, healthier life. And the longer we live, the more science will understand about the aging process and how to prevent and reverse it. Soon we will be starting an online newsletter that will focus on the science and lifestyle of anti-aging and optimum health. I'll let you know how to sign up once we get going.

In April I'm going to an event called "The Longevity Boot Camp" where some of the leaders in the field will be speaking. I'm also currently doing some research to help put together a talk entitled "Cutting Edge Nutrition and Anti-aging Diet Strategies that one of the presenters is giving. So I expect to have some valuable information and ideas for you in the coming months.

Go Long,

Wiley