| Best Antioxidant |

By: Shane Ellison, M.Sc.
Copyright © 2005, All Rights Reserved

Bad press among pharmaceutically compliant reporters has stated that antioxidants do not work and may in fact be deadly. This was the statement regarding so-called studies of beta-carotene and vitamin C and E. Of course this is simply a ploy to deter folks from using natural medicine to procure their health.

The importance of supplementing your diet with an effective antioxidant cannot be over stressed. Research shows that over 60 forms of disease such as heart disease and cancer are caused by an imbalance among antioxidants and free radicals - known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS is an umbrella term that includes both free radicals and other chemicals that, while not technically radicals, are damaging to the body.

The importance of supplementation with an effective antioxidant has also been stressed among the scientific arena. The consensus among scientists is that "diet supplementation with effective antioxidants protect the mitochondria against respiration-linked oxygen stress, with preservation of the genomic and structural integrity of these energy producing organelles and concomitant increase in functional life span". In laymen's terms, this simply means that supplementation with an effective antioxidant will ensure that you are healthy and active into your later years, while those who are not privy to this information will likely be playing checkers in a nursing home.

Exercise, various toxins, poor diet and age increase the abundance of ROS.

To circumvent pre-mature aging and the onset of disease, this increase in ROS must be met with an increase in antioxidant supplementation.

An effective antioxidant fits three criteria. They are as follows:

· Active in water environment of the body

· Active in fat environment of the body

· Enhances the levels of our bodies natural antioxidant, glutathione

Few people are obtaining effective antioxidants. Rather, they are utilizing vitamin E, C or fruit derived antioxidants. Although all have their own health benefits, these compounds do not fit the criteria mentioned above as to qualify as an effective antioxidant.

So, what is the best antioxidant?

Alpha-lipoic acid (racemic form is just fine) is the most effective antioxidant known to man due to its ability to quench damaging ROS in both a water environment and fat environment of the body. In other words, it is able to operate both inside and outside of our cells. Additionally, alpha-lipoic acid greatly enhances the levels of our body's natural antioxidant, glutathione.

Glutathione's best attribute is its ability to protect us from cancer. Additionally, glutathione depletion has been shown to be the culprit of age-associated neurological damage. Needless to say, any increase in glutathione is greatly warranted.

Aside from protecting us from ROS, alpha-lipoic acid offers other health benefits to diabetics and those who suffer from Insulin Resistance. As stated by Richard A. Passwater, Ph.D., in Lipoic Acid: The Metabolic Antioxidant:

"Both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetics will be excited to learn that alpha-lipoic acid has been used for nearly 30 years in Europe to treat diabetic neuropathy, help regulate blood sugar and prevent diabetic retinopathy and cardiopathy." Passwater says, "Lipoic acid not only protects the nervous system, but also may be involved in regenerating nerves. It is also being studied in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease."

In summary, supplementation with 300 to 1000mg of alpha-lipoic acid daily, protects our genetic material from damage caused by ROS and increases glutathione levels. Combined, these benefits help to prevent Exercise Induced Oxidative Stress and various forms of disease such as Parkinson, Alzheimer's, hardening of the arteries, and cancer, just to name a few.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shane holds a Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand industry experience with drug research, design and synthesis. He understands that Americans want and deserve education rather than prescriptions. He is the author of the controversial and shocking book Health Myths Exposed. To learn more visit www.healthmyths.net. You can get his free eBook What You MUST know about Cholesterol Lowering Drugs at www.health-fx.net.