SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- April 20, 1998 -- Duke University Medical Center researchers have found that the depletion of body chemicals called antioxidants may increase the risk of complications from the most common form of diabetes.
The scientists recommend that diabetics take antioxidants supplements, such as vitamin C or E, to help stave off or even forestall the hallmark complications of diabetes, including blindness, kidney failure, amputation and even death.
antioxidants neutralise oxygen free radicals, highly-reactive chemicals that are the potentially-destructive by-products of the body's process of turning food into energy. Normally, the body produces enough antioxidants of its own to keep the reactive oxygen from causing damage.
"We were able to show that patients with poor control of their diabetes who were beginning to show signs of complications had depleted their store of antioxidants ," said Duke researcher Dr. Emmanuel Opara. "Further, we found a significant correlation between high blood-sugar levels and depletion of antioxidants . It appears that this depletion is a major risk factor for developing complications and that antioxidants supplements could lower this risk."
Opara presented his studies yesterday at Experimental Biology `98, the annual scientific meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).
The researchers studied 50 similar people with Type II diabetes -- also known as non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes. In this form of the disease, insulin produced in the body is unable to trigger the lowering of high blood sugar. Type II diabetes afflicts about 90 percent of the estimated 10.7 million Americans diagnosed with the disease and the 5.4 million believed to have undiagnosed cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Insulin is the hormone that normally regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood and is produced by cells in the pancreas. Insulin is secreted when the level of blood glucose rises -- as after a meal.
All diabetic patients in the study were taking only drugs referred to as sulfonylureas, which increase the sensitivity of receptors to insulin throughout the body. Half the patients exhibited microalbuminuria, the excretion of tiny amounts of protein in the urine that is considered a precursor of kidney disease, while the other half did not. T
he researchers took blood samples from all 50 patients, as well as a control group of 20 similar people without diabetes and determined levels of antioxidantsin their blood.
"We found that the non-diabetics' ability to defend against damage from the oxygen free radicals was almost twice that of those patients exhibiting microalbuminuria," Opara explained. "And while the difference between the two diabetic groups was not as pronounced, the difference was still statistically significant. Also, antioxidants depletion correlated with high blood sugar after meals only in the group with microalbuminuria."
The researchers determined antioxidants levels by a new chemical assay developed at King's College in England that enabled them to measure all known antioxidants in the blood and to obtain a more global picture of the body's total antioxidants capacity, Opara said. Other assays are only specific for individual antioxidants.
Using the newly-developed assay, the scientists rated the ability of the non-diabetics to defend against Free radicals damage at 2.7, compared with 1.4 for those with microalbuminuria and 1.7 for the diabetics without microalbuminuria.
Though the exact mechanism of action of the oxygen Free radicals is not yet clear, these findings confirm in humans earlier animal studies of the chemicals' role in damage in diabetes, Opara said. Previous Duke studies by Opara have shown that vitamin E can delay the development of diabetes in obese rats with Type II diabetes and that the depletion of the antioxidants Glutathione caused diabetes in another rat model.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
"The results we've been seeing in our animal studies are now being borne out in humans,” Opara said. "I recommend that since the body has many antioxidants , diabetics should take a number of these agents, including vitamins C and E and Glutathione."
The diabetic patients involved in the current study come from Egypt, and their samples were brought to Duke by E. Abdel-Rahman, one of Opara's collaborators.
Showing posts with label free radicals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free radicals. Show all posts
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Glutathione helps to support the proper functioning
Glutathione helps to support the proper functioning of your immune system , and will improve immune system already in retreat.
Glutathione acts as an powerful antioxidant and Free radicals scavenger, thereby protecting our DNA and RDA from damage due to many environmental factors.
Glutathione acts as the regulator of other powerful antioxidant.
Glutathione acts as a detoxifying agent, removing foreign objects, chemicals and toxins from the body. As you age, your levels of Glutathione are depleted, thereby allowing the aging process to accelerate.
Levels of Glutathione can be sucessfully improved by taking a high quality nutritional supplement!
***Among the uses that have been reported for glutathione are:
treatment of poisoning, particularly heavy metal poisons
treatment of idiopathic pulmonary firbosis
increasing the effectiveness and reducing the toxicity of cis-platinum, a chemo drug used to treat breast cancer
treating Parkinson's disease
lowering blood pressure in patients with diabetes
increasing male sperm counts in humans and animals
treatment of liver cancer
treatment of sickle cell anemia
http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/glutathione
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Glutathione acts as an powerful antioxidant and Free radicals scavenger, thereby protecting our DNA and RDA from damage due to many environmental factors.
Glutathione acts as the regulator of other powerful antioxidant.
Glutathione acts as a detoxifying agent, removing foreign objects, chemicals and toxins from the body. As you age, your levels of Glutathione are depleted, thereby allowing the aging process to accelerate.
Levels of Glutathione can be sucessfully improved by taking a high quality nutritional supplement!
***Among the uses that have been reported for glutathione are:
treatment of poisoning, particularly heavy metal poisons
treatment of idiopathic pulmonary firbosis
increasing the effectiveness and reducing the toxicity of cis-platinum, a chemo drug used to treat breast cancer
treating Parkinson's disease
lowering blood pressure in patients with diabetes
increasing male sperm counts in humans and animals
treatment of liver cancer
treatment of sickle cell anemia
http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/glutathione
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Cysteine, Glutamic Acid and Glycine- immune system
Glutathione is a tri-peptide composed of three amino acids: Cysteine, Glutamic Acid and Glycine.
Glutathione and the enzymes it forms, such as GTH peroxidase, are essential to all life and are found in tissues of virtually all plants and animals. GTH is present in all human cells, with the highest levels found in the liver, the lenses of the eyes, pancreas, spleen and kidneys.
Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant, a key protector against all types of pollution and is effective in preventing aging. It protects DNA and RNA from free-radical damage.
Glutathione also protects against cellular peroxidation caused by exposure to pesticides, plastics, benzene and carbon tetrachloride, as well as heavy metals, cigarette smoke, smog, drugs, solvents, dyes, phenols and nitrates.
Glutathione works to inhibit the formation of free radicals, dangerous agents that suppress the immune system and promote the formation of mutagens and carcinogens.
Free radicals also speed up the aging process, and it is due to this powerful antioxidant activity that Glutathione is considered useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of degenerative diseases.
Studies at the Louisville School of Medicine have clearly shown that Glutathione possesses the unique ability to slow the aging process. While Glutathione aids in the protection of all cells and membranes, a study at Harvard Medical School found that Glutathione is especially able to enhance immune system cells, protecting against damage from radiation and helping to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and x-rays and alcohol. As a detoxifier of metals and drugs, Glutathione also aids in the treatment of blood and liver disorders.
As individuals grow older, Glutathione levels drop, and the ability to detoxify free radicals decreases.
It can protect against cadmium, copper, and acetaminophen (the active agent in Tylenol) toxicity. Glutathione aids the liver in detoxification, slows the aging process, helps the cardiovascular and immune system, and is helpful in preventing or treating many other health conditions.
Supplementation may prevent, or be helpful with, the following conditions:
Aging
Alcoholism
Asthma
Atherosclerosis (heart disease)
Cancer
Cataracts
Dizziness
Hepatitis
Immunodepression (immune function)
Infertility (male)
Memory Loss (Alzheimer's disease, dementia)
Osteoarthritis
Parkinson's Disease
Peptic Ulcers
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Glutathione and the enzymes it forms, such as GTH peroxidase, are essential to all life and are found in tissues of virtually all plants and animals. GTH is present in all human cells, with the highest levels found in the liver, the lenses of the eyes, pancreas, spleen and kidneys.
Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant, a key protector against all types of pollution and is effective in preventing aging. It protects DNA and RNA from free-radical damage.
Glutathione also protects against cellular peroxidation caused by exposure to pesticides, plastics, benzene and carbon tetrachloride, as well as heavy metals, cigarette smoke, smog, drugs, solvents, dyes, phenols and nitrates.
Glutathione works to inhibit the formation of free radicals, dangerous agents that suppress the immune system and promote the formation of mutagens and carcinogens.
Free radicals also speed up the aging process, and it is due to this powerful antioxidant activity that Glutathione is considered useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of degenerative diseases.
Studies at the Louisville School of Medicine have clearly shown that Glutathione possesses the unique ability to slow the aging process. While Glutathione aids in the protection of all cells and membranes, a study at Harvard Medical School found that Glutathione is especially able to enhance immune system cells, protecting against damage from radiation and helping to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and x-rays and alcohol. As a detoxifier of metals and drugs, Glutathione also aids in the treatment of blood and liver disorders.
As individuals grow older, Glutathione levels drop, and the ability to detoxify free radicals decreases.
It can protect against cadmium, copper, and acetaminophen (the active agent in Tylenol) toxicity. Glutathione aids the liver in detoxification, slows the aging process, helps the cardiovascular and immune system, and is helpful in preventing or treating many other health conditions.
Supplementation may prevent, or be helpful with, the following conditions:
Aging
Alcoholism
Asthma
Atherosclerosis (heart disease)
Cancer
Cataracts
Dizziness
Hepatitis
Immunodepression (immune function)
Infertility (male)
Memory Loss (Alzheimer's disease, dementia)
Osteoarthritis
Parkinson's Disease
Peptic Ulcers
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Inflammation, Free Radicals, and Cytokines
Although acute Inflammation is an important immune system response, chronic inflammation has also been linked to many diseases, including heart disease. Besides the pro-Inflammation cytokines, Inflammation may be related to the overproduction of free radicals (Janeway CA et al 1999).
A free radical is an atom or group of atoms (i.e., a molecule) with unpaired electrons. Free radicals are extremely unstable and react easily with other molecules, thereby changing their chemical composition. Oxygen is especially susceptible to free radical formation. The free radicals derived from oxygen are known as reactive oxygen species, or oxidants.
When the body has increased levels of reactive oxygen species (i.e., when it is experiencing oxidative stress), widespread damage may result. At high concentrations free radicals can damage fats, proteins, and nucleic acids. They can also cause cell death, gene mutations, and cancer ( Moslen MT 1994). Several diseases may be the result of cellular and genetic damage caused by free radicals, including several immune disorders ( Moslen MT 1994).
In order to reduce the damage caused by elevated free radicals and cytokines (which are both part of the natural immune system), the body fights back by producing antioxidants and hormones such as cortisol to suppress the immune system (Grimble RF 1996). Antioxidants are valuable because they pair with unstable free radicals, thereby limiting the damage free radicals can inflict on other cells.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
A free radical is an atom or group of atoms (i.e., a molecule) with unpaired electrons. Free radicals are extremely unstable and react easily with other molecules, thereby changing their chemical composition. Oxygen is especially susceptible to free radical formation. The free radicals derived from oxygen are known as reactive oxygen species, or oxidants.
When the body has increased levels of reactive oxygen species (i.e., when it is experiencing oxidative stress), widespread damage may result. At high concentrations free radicals can damage fats, proteins, and nucleic acids. They can also cause cell death, gene mutations, and cancer ( Moslen MT 1994). Several diseases may be the result of cellular and genetic damage caused by free radicals, including several immune disorders ( Moslen MT 1994).
In order to reduce the damage caused by elevated free radicals and cytokines (which are both part of the natural immune system), the body fights back by producing antioxidants and hormones such as cortisol to suppress the immune system (Grimble RF 1996). Antioxidants are valuable because they pair with unstable free radicals, thereby limiting the damage free radicals can inflict on other cells.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose Parkinson’s disease in the early stages. Early on, Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed almost primarily by its symptoms, and studies indicate that physicians make an incorrect initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in between 10% and 40% of cases. Blood tests are not helpful for diagnosis.
Parkinson’s disease is just one of several neurologic movement disorders that produce similar symptoms.
It is important that the physician you are seeing has experience with all of the different disorders that can masquerade as Parkinson’s disease.
In some of these diseases people quickly become totally disabled; in others, the disease progresses extremely slowly; and in yet others, illness is chronic (always present) and may have more severe symptoms as time goes on. Because the natural history, or progression, of these diseases varies greatly, proper diagnosis is crucial. People need to know which disease they have.
The Neurologic Examination
When performing a neurologic examination to evaluate a patient with a movement disorder, the doctor takes a medical history and performs a physical examination. The doctor asks the patient and the family members or friends about symptoms and observes the patient, asking him or her to walk around the room, sit down, stand up, turn around, and so on.
Diagnostic Tests
Unfortunately, there is no diagnostic test that can confirm Parkinson’s disease. Laboratory testing of the blood of patients with the symptoms typical of Parkinson’s disease only rarely uncovers any abnormality.
Electroencephalograms (EEGs) record some aspects of brain electrical activity, but they are not effective in spotting Parkinson’s disease.
Important Roles of Glutathione
Fight against oxidative cell damage (Free Radicals)• Protein Synthesis• Amino Acid transport• Cellular detoxification• Immune system enhancement• Enzyme activation• Fight Inflammation• ATP (energy) production
Our cells are constantly under attack by Free Radicals, which can cause a reduction of our cells ability to function optimally.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Parkinson’s disease is just one of several neurologic movement disorders that produce similar symptoms.
It is important that the physician you are seeing has experience with all of the different disorders that can masquerade as Parkinson’s disease.
In some of these diseases people quickly become totally disabled; in others, the disease progresses extremely slowly; and in yet others, illness is chronic (always present) and may have more severe symptoms as time goes on. Because the natural history, or progression, of these diseases varies greatly, proper diagnosis is crucial. People need to know which disease they have.
The Neurologic Examination
When performing a neurologic examination to evaluate a patient with a movement disorder, the doctor takes a medical history and performs a physical examination. The doctor asks the patient and the family members or friends about symptoms and observes the patient, asking him or her to walk around the room, sit down, stand up, turn around, and so on.
Diagnostic Tests
Unfortunately, there is no diagnostic test that can confirm Parkinson’s disease. Laboratory testing of the blood of patients with the symptoms typical of Parkinson’s disease only rarely uncovers any abnormality.
Electroencephalograms (EEGs) record some aspects of brain electrical activity, but they are not effective in spotting Parkinson’s disease.
Important Roles of Glutathione
Fight against oxidative cell damage (Free Radicals)• Protein Synthesis• Amino Acid transport• Cellular detoxification• Immune system enhancement• Enzyme activation• Fight Inflammation• ATP (energy) production
Our cells are constantly under attack by Free Radicals, which can cause a reduction of our cells ability to function optimally.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Exercise builds brain health: key roles of growth factor cascades and inflammation
Human and other animal studies demonstrate that exercise targets many aspects of brain function and has broad effects on overall brain health.
The benefits of exercise have been best defined for learning and memory, protection from neurodegeneration and alleviation of depression, particularly in elderly populations.
Exercise increases synaptic plasticity by directly affecting synaptic structure and potentiating synaptic strength, and by strengthening the underlying systems that support plasticity including neurogenesis, metabolism and vascular function.
Such exercise-induced structural and functional change has been documented in various brain regions but has been best-studied in the hippocampus - the focus of this review.
A key mechanism mediating these broad benefits of exercise on the brain is induction of central and peripheral growth factors and growth factor cascades, which instruct downstream structural and functional change.
In addition, exercise reduces peripheral risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, which converge to cause brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration.
A common mechanism underlying the central and peripheral effects of exercise might be related to inflammation, which can impair growth factor signaling both systemically and in the brain.
Thus, through regulation of growth factors and reduction of peripheral and central risk factors, exercise ensures successful brain function.
by: Carl W Cotman, Nicole C Berchtold, Lori-Ann Christie
Trends in Neurosciences, Vol. 30, No. 9. (September 2007), pp. 464-472
Important Roles of Glutathione
Fight against oxidative cell damage (Free Radicals)
• Protein Synthesis
• Amino Acid transport
• Cellular detoxification
• Immune system enhancement
• Enzyme activation
• Fight Inflammation
• ATP (energy) production
Our cells are constantly under attack by Free Radicals, which can cause a reduction of our cells ability to function optimally.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
The benefits of exercise have been best defined for learning and memory, protection from neurodegeneration and alleviation of depression, particularly in elderly populations.
Exercise increases synaptic plasticity by directly affecting synaptic structure and potentiating synaptic strength, and by strengthening the underlying systems that support plasticity including neurogenesis, metabolism and vascular function.
Such exercise-induced structural and functional change has been documented in various brain regions but has been best-studied in the hippocampus - the focus of this review.
A key mechanism mediating these broad benefits of exercise on the brain is induction of central and peripheral growth factors and growth factor cascades, which instruct downstream structural and functional change.
In addition, exercise reduces peripheral risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, which converge to cause brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration.
A common mechanism underlying the central and peripheral effects of exercise might be related to inflammation, which can impair growth factor signaling both systemically and in the brain.
Thus, through regulation of growth factors and reduction of peripheral and central risk factors, exercise ensures successful brain function.
by: Carl W Cotman, Nicole C Berchtold, Lori-Ann Christie
Trends in Neurosciences, Vol. 30, No. 9. (September 2007), pp. 464-472
Important Roles of Glutathione
Fight against oxidative cell damage (Free Radicals)
• Protein Synthesis
• Amino Acid transport
• Cellular detoxification
• Immune system enhancement
• Enzyme activation
• Fight Inflammation
• ATP (energy) production
Our cells are constantly under attack by Free Radicals, which can cause a reduction of our cells ability to function optimally.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Types of Free Radicals
Where do free radicals come from?
• Amino Acid transport
• Cellular detoxification
• Immune system enhancement
• Enzyme activation
Types of Free Radicals
The fight against free radicals is often a tricky one. There is not a mythical, ambiguous, or singular form on free radical. Science has confirmed that there are many different types of free radicals including:
• Superoxide
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Single Oxygen and Hydroxyl Radicals
Important Note: Not all antioxidants can sufficiently match up with all types of free radicals.
The great news about Glutathione is that regardless of the type of free radical, Glutathione has the ability to properly match up and neutralize it, thus increasing cellular protection and function
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
• Amino Acid transport
• Cellular detoxification
• Immune system enhancement
• Enzyme activation
Types of Free Radicals
The fight against free radicals is often a tricky one. There is not a mythical, ambiguous, or singular form on free radical. Science has confirmed that there are many different types of free radicals including:
• Superoxide
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Single Oxygen and Hydroxyl Radicals
Important Note: Not all antioxidants can sufficiently match up with all types of free radicals.
The great news about Glutathione is that regardless of the type of free radical, Glutathione has the ability to properly match up and neutralize it, thus increasing cellular protection and function
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Brief overview of Glutathione
The sheer amount of information on Glutathione is literally overwhelming. Due to the clinical terminology many of these documents are written in.
A brief overview of Glutathione:
Glutathione is a tri-peptide composed of three amino acids: Cysteine, Glutamic Acid and Glycine.
Glutathione and the enzymes it forms, such as GSH peroxidase, are essential to all life and are found in tissues of virtually all plants and animals. GSH is present in all human cells, with the highest levels found in the liver, the lenses of the eyes, pancreas, spleen and kidneys.
Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant, a key protector against all types of pollution and is effective in preventing aging. It protects DNA and RNA from free-radical damage.
Glutathione also protects against cellular peroxidation caused by exposure to pesticides, plastics, benzene and carbon tetrachloride, as well as heavy metals, cigarette smoke, smog, drugs, solvents, dyes, phenols and nitrates.
Glutathione works to inhibit the formation of free radicals, dangerous agents that suppress the immune system and promote the formation of mutagens and carcinogens. Free radicals also speed up the aging process, and it is due to this antioxidant activity that Glutathione is considered useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of degenerative diseases.
Click here to demonstrate to you why glutathione is so important to your health and well-being.
A brief overview of Glutathione:
Glutathione is a tri-peptide composed of three amino acids: Cysteine, Glutamic Acid and Glycine.
Glutathione and the enzymes it forms, such as GSH peroxidase, are essential to all life and are found in tissues of virtually all plants and animals. GSH is present in all human cells, with the highest levels found in the liver, the lenses of the eyes, pancreas, spleen and kidneys.
Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant, a key protector against all types of pollution and is effective in preventing aging. It protects DNA and RNA from free-radical damage.
Glutathione also protects against cellular peroxidation caused by exposure to pesticides, plastics, benzene and carbon tetrachloride, as well as heavy metals, cigarette smoke, smog, drugs, solvents, dyes, phenols and nitrates.
Glutathione works to inhibit the formation of free radicals, dangerous agents that suppress the immune system and promote the formation of mutagens and carcinogens. Free radicals also speed up the aging process, and it is due to this antioxidant activity that Glutathione is considered useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of degenerative diseases.
Click here to demonstrate to you why glutathione is so important to your health and well-being.
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