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| What Makes ISO-OPC Superior To Other Nutrient Delivery Systems |
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A free radical is an atomic structure with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell. These unpaired electrons tend to be highly reactive, resulting in chemical reactions such as oxidation. Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable. They scavenge the body to grab or donate electrons, causing damage to cells, proteins and DNA. Free radicals are naturally occurring; however, air pollution, stress, smoking, heavy exercising and aging all contribute to the creation of harmful free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to the body, potentially leading to serious health problems. Normally the body is able to protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if free radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues. Antioxidants work in two ways, chain breaking and prevention. A chain-breaking antioxidant such as vitamins A, C and E stabilize free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures. A preventative antioxidant prevents the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals.* |
News Flashes
| Pine bark provides hope for cancer patients |
A new product which could help reduce the debilitating effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy among cancer sufferers is being produced from pine bark.
A new product which could help reduce the debilitating effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy among cancer sufferers is being produced from pine bark. Researchers from HortResearch and Enzo Nutraceuticals in New Zealand are working together to develop a range of botanical drug products which they hope will be effective in fighting not only cancer but also other serious diseases such as Alzheimer's, heart disease and stroke.Aegis BioActives, as the joint venture between the two companies is called, was formed after 15 months of collaborative research led by cell biologist Dr Iona Weir.
Weir had been testing compounds for ways to inhibit cell death when she came across Enzo's dietary supplement Enzogenol, which contains antioxidants extracted from pinus radiate bark. She discovered that the extract was more potent than anything else she had tested, and this discovery was the start of the collaboration between the two companies. |
