The Optimum Level of Antioxidants

The epidemiological evidence and the guidelines of the National Cancer Institute and the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences suggest that at least two fruits and three vegetables per day is a desirable intake.

Since ascorbate, tocopherol, and ß-carotene supplements are inexpensive and high doses are remarkably non-toxic, there is a school that believes that supplements, in addition to a diet containing recommended levels of fruits and vegetables, are desirable.

There is suggestive, but inadequate epidemiological and biochemical evidence bearing on the question. What is clear is that fruits and vegetables contain many necessary micronutrients in addition to antioxidants, some of which also can prevent mutations. Folic acid, for example, is required for the synthesis of the nucleotides in DNA.

Inadequate intake has been shown to cause chromosome breaks and increased cancer and birth defects. Folate deficiency may be a risk factor for myocardial infarction as well. Niacin is required for making poly (ADP-ribose), a component of DNA repair. Other micronutrients are also likely to be part of our defense systems.

The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) for ascorbate and tocopherol intake--there is no guideline for [[beta]]-carotene independent of its provitamin A activity--are not adequate for several reasons:

1) The amount recommended, e.g., 60 mg/day for ascorbate, is primarily for avoiding an observable deficiency syndrome, e.g., scurvy, and is not necessarily the amount for optimum lifetime health, which is usually not known.

2) A recommended blood level of each antioxidant, e.g., 60 uM ascorbate, would be a more desirable standard. People vary considerably in the intake required to keep their blood level adequate. A smoker, for example, needs to take in several times as much ascorbate as a non-smoker to keep the blood level the same.

Infections may also cause an oxidative stress that leads to antioxidant depletion by activating phagocytic cells. The observation that antioxidant inadequacy is associated with oxidative damage to DNA of the germ line as well as somatic cells, emphasizes the urgency of defining adequate blood levels.

Since only 9% of Americans, and fewer in most other countries, are eating five fruits and vegetables per day, there is a great opportunity to improve health by increasing consumption.

Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.

Oxidant stress, Birth defects, and Childhood Cancer

Oxidative lesions in sperm DNA are increased 250% when levels of dietary ascorbate is insufficient to keep seminal fluid ascorbate to an adequate level. A sizable percentage of the U.S. population ingest inadequate levels of dietary ascorbate, particularly single males, the poor, and smokers. The oxidants in cigarette smoke deplete the antioxidants in plasma. Smokers must eat two to three times more ascorbate than non-smokers to achieve the same level of ascorbate in blood, but they rarely do.

In a comparison of sperm from smokers and nonsmokers Viczian found that the number of sperm and the percent of mobile sperm decrease significantly in smokers, and this decrease is dependent on the dose and duration of smoking.

Paternal smoking, in particular, appears to increase the risk of birth defects and childhood cancer in their offspring. One expects, and finds, a much larger contribution to the germ line mutation rate from the father than the mother, age of the father being an important risk factor. Thus, inadequate diets (and smoking) of fathers appear to result not only in damage to their own DNA but to the DNA of their sperm, an effect that may reverberate down future generations.

Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.

Anti-Aging Diet And Exercise

Why do we have such an interest in the aging process? Is it vanity or is it just a fear of death? Either way a tremendous amount of time and research has gone into anti-aging research. Two factors stand out for all researchers in search of the fountain of youth - Diet and Exercise. Both play a major role on the impact on our health and on our life span.


Each and every one of us will have to face death one day. But all living organisms age over time and have a normal life span. With the amount of money being spent on research trying to slow down the aging process, most researchers believe it is only a matter of time until the aging process is slowed down and possibly to some extent even reversed.


Many people treat the symptoms of aging with the use of surgery, lotions, acupuncture, hair coloring, and cosmetics. But that does not change the underlying cause of aging. The fact is, if you abuse you body you will wear it out faster than if you took care if it. We are often more willing to treat the symptoms of aging, but spend very little effort in treating its causes.
We take care of our clothes, computers, cars and homes to keep them from aging and maintain a good appearance. But unfortunately, most of us will not put the same kind of effort into maintaining our bodies.


The fact of the matter is that we have control over the two most important factors that determine how well we are able to slow down the aging process - Diet and Exercise. If we took care of our bodies like we took care of our cars, our bodies a lot longer. If we are willing to change the oil in our car regularly and use high quality fuel, then why not see your health care provider regularly and put only high quality nutrients into your body?


Caloric restriction and exercise contribute to the process of slowing down the destruction of our cells and tissues when aging. Scientists are not yet sure how it works and why it is one of the major factors in contributing to aging, however, they have developed numerous theories.
Caloric restriction seem to reduce the damage from the chemical metabolic process which can produce Free radicals which are thought to be the leading cause of cellular damage. Substances called antioxidants can neutralize free radical by pairing up or binding with the free radical elections thus inhibiting them from damaging cells in the human body.


Exercise may be the fastest way to look younger but unfortunately, this is the one activity that we most likely want to avoid. It has always been proven that exercise not only make us feel good and look good, it also gives us more strength and energy, and also give us a better bone density.


Other benefits that we could get from exercising are, it speeds up our metabolism, increase the circulation in our entire body, increase our lung function, and the release of endorphins that drives away our stresses in life and depression. Lastly, and the most important, it increases our lymphatic function.


Just small improvements on diet and exercise can produce a great impact on promoting a healthier and longer life.


Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with aging such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and Selenium. Up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb Vitamin B from their food. Vitamin B is needed to form red blood cells and keep nerves healthy. Vitamin C, E and some forms of Vitamin A and the mineral Selenium are known to be antioxidants that help to protect the body from these free radicals.
The mineral Selenium has been associated with a significant reduction in the incidences of lung, colorectal and prostate cancer. Good sources are fish, asparagus, brazil nuts, meat, poultry and bread.

MaxGXL is a patented nutritional supplement formulated to promote and enhance the body's production and use of its most important antioxidant, glutathione (GSH) at the cellular level. Increased levels of GSH strengthen your immune system, increase your energy level, and enhance the body's fight against aging and the diseases of the aging. Increased levels of GSH also result in a faster recovery from strenuous exercise regimens, as well as environmental toxins and emotional stress.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.


This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.