oxidative stress-free radical antioxidants

Prolonged oxidative stress results in accelerated aging and accelerated death of healthy body cells. Overproduction of radicals can be caused, among other things, by:

• cell ageing (malfunctioning mitochondria)
• toxins (environmental pollution
• Food additives
• Medicines
• Tobacco smoke
• Alcohol
• heavy metals
• radiation (sunlight, X-rays, radiation from wireless and electrical equipment)
• physical exertion
• trauma, stress
• Infections
• Inflammation
• poor blood supply (ischemia)
• increased blood glucose levels
• obesity and overeating

With antioxidants we often think of vitamin C, but there are an awful lot of different antioxidants with their own specialism to neutralize specific free radicals. In terms of efficacy, there are also huge differences. OPCs act as an antioxidant 50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more potent than vitamin C  

There are many types of antioxidants with each their certain action, we work with the following antioxidants: Vitamin C In addition to supporting the immune system, it is also an antioxidant, and important in the creation of neurotransmitters. We work with the water-soluble deacided buffered form: calcium ascorrate and the fat-soluble palmitate that is again more absorbable by the brain. Fat-soluble antioxidants are able to get into the cell and also in the brain. Vitamin A: The body can also produce vitamin A of pro-vitamin A, so-called carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Vitamin E is the main fat-soluble antioxidant. It protects fatty acids and fat-soluble substances from free radicals and toxins (heavy metals, certain medicines). It's so useful, since all the cells in your body are partly fatty acids. It's about the cell membranes. These cell membranes protect the body's cells. Zinc bisglycinate is an amino acid bound and therefore more absorbable is not only an important mineral but also an antioxidant. Zinc has many functions for good health, but as an antioxidant it protects body cells from external influences such as air pollution, stress and sunlight (UV radiation). Carotenoids There are as many as 500 types of carotenoids. This natural dye is responsible for the red, orange and yellow color of fruit and vegetables. The most well-known are beta carotene, lycopene and lutein. These are particularly good for the eyes because lutein is a building block of the macula Flavonoids Flavonoids is a collective term for a large group of active substances that occur naturally in plants. We know them mainly because of the colors they give to fruits, vegetables and flowers. They play an important role in plant metabolism, including for growth and in protection against light, oxidation and heat. There are many different flavonoids. The most famous are:

• Flavonen (from citrus fruits, tea, herbs, peppers and celery)
• Isoflavones (from legumes, especially soy)
• Flavonols (including quercetin, from onions, broccoli and pears, for example)
• Anthocyanins (from grapes, cherries and berries)
• Proanthocyanidins (OPC) (from grape seeds and cocoa) There is evidence that flavonoids have the following health effects in the body:
  • Antioxidant effect: Flavonoids, especially those from citrus fruits, are antioxidants – which protect cells and tissue from damage– and promote the action of vitamin C. Conversely, vitamin C enhances the action of the flavonoids in citrus fruit.
  • Flavonoids may have a beneficial effect on the condition of the heart and blood vessels.
  • Flavonoids have a beneficial effect on the skin because they protect against free radicals and are good for blood vessels and connective tissue.
  • Isoflavones, a certain type of flavonoids, help with transitional phenomena.
  • Some flavonoids, especially OPC and quercetin, help with airborne pollen. They can reduce the release of histamine.