Sources and Effects of Oxidants

Four endogenous sources appear to account for most of the oxidants produced by cells:

1) As a consequence of normal aerobic respiration, mitochondria consume molecular oxygen, reducing it by sequential steps to produce H20. Inevitable by-products of this process, as stated above, are O2.-, H202, and .OH. About l012 oxygen molecules are processed by each rat cell daily, and the leakage of partially reduced oxygen molecules is about 2%, yielding about 2x1010 superoxide and hydrogen peroxide molecules per cell per day.

2) Phagocytic cells destroy bacteria or virus-infected cells with an oxidative burst of NO, O2.-, H2O2, and [[macron]]OCl. Chronic infection by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, results in a chronic phagocytic activity and consequent chronic inflammation, which is a major risk factor for cancer. Chronic infections are particularly prevalent in third world countries.

3) Peroxisomes, which are organelles responsible for degrading fatty acids and other molecules, produce H202 as a byproduct, which is then degraded by catalase. Evidence suggests that, under certain conditions, some of the peroxide escapes degradation, resulting in its release into other compartments of the cell and in increased oxidative DNA damage.

4) Cytochrome P450 enzymes in animals constitute one of the primary defense systems against natural toxic chemicals from plants, the major source of dietary toxins. The induction of these enzymes, prevent acute toxic effects from foreign chemicals, but also results in oxidant by-products that damage DNA (Park, J.-Y. K. and Ames, B.N., unpublished).

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Three exogenous sources may significantly increase the large endogenous oxidant load.

1) The oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in cigarette smoke (about 1000 ppm) cause oxidation of macromolecules, and deplete antioxidant levels. This is likely to contribute significantly to the pathology of smoking. Smoking is a risk factor for heart disease as well as a wide variety of cancers in addition to lung cancer.

2) Iron (and copper) salts promote the generation of oxidizing radicals from peroxides (Fenton chemistry). Men who absorb significantly more than normal amounts of dietary iron due to a genetic defect (hemochromatosis disease) are at an increased risk for both cancer and heart disease. It has therefore been argued that too much dietary copper or iron, particularly heme iron (which is high in meat), is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer in normal men

3) Normal diets contain plant food with large amounts of natural phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic and caffeic acid, that may generate oxidants by redox cycling .

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Cause of Parkinson Disease

Although Parkinson’s disease can occur from viral infections or exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides (gardeners and farmers are more prone to Parkinson's disease).

The causes of the majority of cases are not well known. Scientists suspect that oxidative damage to neurons in the substantia nigra could well be one of the major causes, particularly due to the depletion of the antioxidants glutathione.

People who sustain substantial head injuries face an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease years later.

The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown.

Many researchers believe that several factors combined are involved: free radicals, accelerated aging, environmental toxins, and genetic predisposition.

It may be that free radicals—unstable and potentially damaging molecules that lack on electron—are involved in the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells.

Free radicals add an electron by reacting with nearby molecules in a process called oxidation, which can damage nerve cells.

Chemicals called antioxidants normally protect cells from oxidative stress and damage. If antioxidative action fails to protect dopamine-producing nerve cells, they could be damaged and, subsequently, Parkinson’s disease could develop.

Dysfunctional antioxidative mechanisms are associated with older age as well, suggesting that the acceleration of age-related changes in dopamine production may be a factor.

Exposure to an environmental toxin, such as a pesticide, that inhibits dopamine production and produces free radicals and oxidation damage may be involved.

Milk Thistle, Silymarin

Food sources and dietary supplements that help boost glutathione levels naturally.

Milk Thistle, Silymarin

Milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant and supports the liver by preventing the depletion of glutathione. Silymarin is the active compound of milk thistle.

It is a natural liver detoxifier and protects the liver from many industrial toxins such as carbon tetrachloride, and more common agents like alcohol.

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Glutathione Fact 3

Increasing Age and Other Factors Reduce the Body’s Production and Utilization of GSH.

Research has shown that individuals who have low levels of glutathione are susceptible to chronic illness.

Research shows that GSH levels decline by 8% to 12% per decade, beginning at the age of 20.

Levels of glutathione are further reduced by continual stress upon the immune system such as illness, infection, and environmental toxins. As we now know, a lowered immune system can bring about illness and disease. This is a ferocious cycle.

While you need glutathione for a productive immune system , a weakened immune system hampers the production of glutathione.

Detoxifies your body
Antioxidants are well documented and known to possess vital roles in health maintenance and disease prevention. Glutathione is your cell's own majorAntioxidants. Maintaining elevated glutathione levels aids the body's natural antioxidant function.Biochemical Pharmacology 47: 2113-2123 1994

Glutathione could well be involved in protecting against cancer

The best known functions of selenium at nutritionally adequate, but not at excessive, levels are its role as a part of the enzyme Glutathione peroxidase and its interaction with heavy metals. Glutathione peroxidase destroys hydroperoxides and lipoperoxides, thereby protecting the constituents of the cells against free radical damage. Ip and Sinha (1981) have shown that selenium, through its function in Glutathione peroxidase, could well be involved in protecting against cancer induced by high intakes of fat, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids. Glutathione peroxidase activity in human blood increases with increasing selenium intakes, but reaches a plateau at intakes well below those customary in the United States (Thomson and Robinson, 1980). Thus, if the antitumorigenic effect of selenium is mediated through its function in Glutathione peroxidase, attempts to increase the enzyme activity by selenium supplementation, superimposed on an adequate diet in the United States, would not be successful. The second function of selenium is to protect against acute and chronic toxicity of certain heavy metals. Although selenium is known to interact with cadmium and mercury, the mechanism of action is not known. Selenium does not cause an increased elimination of the toxic elements, but, rather, an increased accumulation in some nontoxic form (National Academy of Sciences, 1971). It is conceivable that carcinogenic effects of these, and perhaps other heavy metals, could be counteracted by selenium, in a manner similar to its protection against their general toxicity. Diet Nutrition Cancer by National Research Council, page 168

Why are Antioxidants Important for Sperm Quality?

Mammalian spermatozoa are coated by a membrane rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

These fatty acids are extremely susceptible to oxidative damage by free radicals or Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by a process called lipid peroxidation (LPO).
Lipid peroxidation damages the sperm cell membrane. It is considered to be the key mechanism of ROS-induced sperm damage and leads to
> Loss of sperm motility
> Abnormal sperm morphology
> Reduced capacity for oocyte penetration
> Infertility

To protect sperm from damage, the body depends on powerful antioxidant enzymes in the body such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase/reductase (GPX/GRD). Seminal plasma and spermatozoa have several antioxidant enzymes - glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase. Some amount of all the antioxidant enzymes, which may protect spermatozoa from oxidative attack, are also made by the epididymis during storage.

The glutathione peroxidase/reductase enzymes play a central role in the defense against oxidative damage in human sperm.

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Male Infertility and Glutathione

It is a well-known fact that sperm counts have dropped by half in the last 50 years, and that modern men have 20 percent less semen volume than their fathers (BMJ, 1992, volume 305).

A recent report from researchers in Aberdeen presented preliminary data that suggests the sperm concentration of the men seen in their clinic had declined by 29% over the past 14 years. (British Fertility Society; 5 January 2004)

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals from normal, everyday plastics are known to cause reproductive damage, as documented in Theo Colborn's book "Our Stolen Future."Damage to sperm caused by exposure to common chemicals like alcohol, pesticides in food, has been linked to lowered intelligence and behavioral disorders in children.

Lifestyle risk factors known to decrease sperm quality include

> Cigarette smoking
> Alcohol consumption
> Chronic stress
> Nutritional deficiencies.

Other reasons for infertility include congenital factors, and health conditions like prostatitis and diabetes that can affect sperm production.

Pollution is stealing our future, and there's little anyone can do to avoid it. There may not be a lot you can do to reduce your exposure to persistent environmental toxins.

But there are definite measures you can take to reduce the impact of the environmental pollutants and toxins on your body.You can prevent and, to a certain extent, repair the damage they cause to your body, through a better lifestyle and nutrition.

Some nutritional therapies and antioxidants that have proven beneficial in treating male infertility and improving sperm counts, sperm morphology and motility include:

> Carnitine
> Arginine
> Zinc
> Selenium
> Vitamin B-12
> Vitamin C
> Vitamin E
> Glutathione
> Coenzyme Q10

Studies show that anti-oxidant supplementation - glutathione in particular - can improve sperm quality, and possibly increase your chances of conceiving.

If you smoke, drink, are exposed to stress, chemicals, radiation, pesticides or take medication or drugs (like sulfasalazine, ketoconazole, azulfidine, anabolic steroids, marijuana) that affect fertility, you should consider taking an antioxidant supplement to reverse some of the damage.
By Priya F. Shah

Why is Glutathione Essential to Health?Glutathione's three major roles in the body are summarized by the letters A-B-C.
- Anti-oxidant
- Blood Booster
- Cell Detoxifier

Some Symptoms of Excess Toxins in the Body

If you don't help these toxins in removing out of the body, you can become prone to flu, colds and cough, or allergies. Or you might feel unusually fatigued, sluggish or drowsy after lunch, or lose your appetite.

Sharp headaches, dizziness, mild tremors in the limbs, and unexplained muscle aches, especially in the calf, can also be symptoms. Your tongue may be coated, and your throat may be sore.

The skin can be less radiant, heavier, more oily. You may also find that you break out more often, are more prone to sunburn, and have dry patches on your skin.

Answer: Detoxify

Helping Your Body Detoxify

How do you help the body with its own cleaning? While most detox herbal products purify the colon and the digestive tract, it is helpful to choose a holistic formula that does more, such as cleansing the liver and blood, purifying the sweat glands and the organs of elimination, preventing buildup of toxins in the fat and muscle tissues, and paving the way for more energy, health and vitality.

• The three ways that toxins are removed from your body are through your sweat, urine, and bowel movements. Therefore you want to do everything you can to keep those systems healthy and in good working order.
• A strong immune system can protect you somewhat from the toxins that you’re exposed to
• Your liver is the organ that filters toxins and decides what will be removed from your body. Clearly, you want a liver that is healthy enough to make the distinction between what is “waste” and what is “not waste.”
• Some people are low on or lacking certain nutrients, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, co-enzymes, etc. that are necessary for optimal health. It can often be a good idea to take supplements to correct these deficiencies and your doctor can help you to determine what you should be taking.
• Since our emotional well-being has a profound effect on our physical health, always try to keep your stress level low and take time to relax regularly

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