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Is Oxidation a Good Thing or a Bad Thing?
The quick answer: it’s both!
Oxidation in the body is critical for proper functioning of the cells. Oxidants (and their counterpart, reductants) are produced in the mitochondria during the process of producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate for those who love the whole words). ATP is one of the major energy producing pathways in the body.
An oxidant is an unstable molecule with a missing electron. It is constantly looking for an electron to make it more stable (happy). A reductant is an electron donor, and provides the missing electron to the oxidant so that everything is stable and ‘happy.’
Oxidants are used by the natural killer cells of the immune system as “bullets” to kill bacteria, viruses, other organisms, and are used to kill cancer cells. They are critical for the immune system to function properly.
When a cell is damaged, more oxidants are produced. The immune system perceives excess oxidants as a call for help, since excess oxidants are indicative of oxidative stress. The immune system sends repair cells (such as phagocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages), which act as a repair team and a garbage collection team, to the rescue to help repair the damage. If the damage is too great for repair they stimulate the self-destruct process (called apoptosis) to occur so a new cell can be made to replace the damaged one.
Antioxidants
An excess of these oxidants is damaging to the body, so we were given a multitude of systems in our body to neutralize oxidants, called antioxidants. Antioxidant substances and systems are designed to keep the amount of oxidation under control. A few of the commonly known ones include vitamins C, E, and A. Glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase help facilitate the transfer of an electron to the oxidant, and are among the most important antioxidant systems in the body. They each require different minerals to function optimally, including selenium, zinc, copper, manganese (not to be confused with magnesium). A few commonly familiar antioxidants include pycnogenol, grape seeds, lycopenes, lutein, zeaxanthine, and CoQ10.
Oxidative Stress
When the production of oxidants exceeds the ability of the body’s antioxidant systems to keep it controlled, excessive oxidants banging around inside the body cause damage to cell membranes, enzymes, other proteins and DNA. This is called oxidative stress, and oxidative stress is a core cause of disease and illness. In fact, 95% of all adult diseases are degenerative diseases, with oxidative stress as a strong component of the illness.
Our body ages more quickly when we have uncontrolled oxidants, or oxidative stress. Unfortunately, our antioxidant systems diminish with age.
There are many things that increase the production of oxidants in the body. These include:
- X-rays,
- Side effects of medications,
- Excessive sun exposure,
- Toxins (in the air, water and food),
- Sugar and processed food,
- Trauma,
- Infections,
- Even exercise.
I like to think of the control of the oxidation process as a fireplace. The fire (oxidation) is controlled in the fireplace with a safety screen (antioxidants) at the front to keep the sparks from leaving the controlled environment. In this state the fire is useful for heat and light. As the fire gets bigger or the screen is removed, the sparks leave the fireplace and land on the rug or wood floor. Soon the room is on fire and if still uncontrolled (degeneration), the whole house burns down.
Core Issues that Cause Disease
If we are to become healthy, we must address the core issues of disease, and not just treat the symptoms. Those core issues are truly the cause of illness, and until they are addressed and fixed, the treatment of symptoms is merely a bandage over the wound. Some core issues that need to be discovered (diagnosed) and treated include:
- Toxins,
- X-rays
- Nutrient deficiency
- Trauma
- Infections
- Emotional issues
- Electropollution
- Oxidative stress
- Stress
- Energetic blockages
If the core causes of disease are ignored or not treated, the bandage- or treatment of symptoms only- becomes less and less effective over time.
This is what is so exciting about talking about oxidation—it truly is a core cause and product of disease.
Treatment
So how do we treat oxidative stress? The answer centers around two issues:
- reduce production of oxidants and
- increase the antioxidant systems in the body.
Reduce Oxidation
Look at the list above and identify which exposures you can reduce or eliminate. A complete article would be needed for each item in the list above, so search out the ones that are most important and easiest to accomplish for you.
One of the most important ways we can diminish oxidative stress is by addressing the ingestion of sugar and processed food. Proper nutrient intake is the core principle of being healthy. I recommend that everyone, in addition to a healthy diet, also be on a quality multivitamin, vitamin D and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Increase Antioxidant Efficacy
The next step is to increase antioxidants in your body, if you have already started with a healthy diet and supplements. A good multivitamin includes all the vitamins and minerals listed above to support your antioxidant efficacy. Inexpensive vitamin supplements, such as those that recommend taking only one per day, or those found at warehouse stores, typically do not contain adequate nutrition to support an effective antioxidant system.
There are many antioxidant products and juices that can lend additional support to your antioxidant systems. Because I am on the Medical Professionals Board of a supplement company that has a great product to assist in this area, I cannot mention it here, but I am happy to visit with you to answer your questions. You may reach me at [email protected].
As you address this core issue of oxidation in disease and illness, you will find your energy and vitality get stronger, and find greater enjoyment in life.
If you would like to order high quality, custom-formulated supplements, or learn more information about Dr. Gardner and his practice in Sandy, Utah, you may visit his website at https://www.keystohealing.net or call Keys to Healing Medical Center at (801) 302-5397.
