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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Alzheimer’s disease, an age-associated dysfunction of brain cells that is degenerative in nature, is clearly connected to oxidative stress. Highly specialized brain cells are slower to replace themselves and warrant the body’s protection. The brain has mechanisms that aid this—the blood-brain barrier, for example, and the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers are protective of nerve cells.
Damaged mitochondria in combination with chronic oxidative stress often result in the body’s inability to correct imbalances of cellular waste and toxins. Glutathione (a potent antioxidant produced by the body) plays a role in cleaning up but is ineffective without the presence of certain REDOX signaling molecules to help neutralize oxidizing free radical toxins.
This deficiency, usually from sluggish, damaged mitochondria, can be genetically predisposed but may also (especially when manifest in the earlier years) result from habitual smoking, insufficient diet, and stress. Additionally, brain cells have naturally high levels of certain fatty acids, which are especially susceptible to oxidation. The vast blood supply that normally serves the brain is a key factor in the input of oxygen and nutrients and the outtake of waste. Any brief restriction of the blood supply to brain tissue is devastating, and even minor chronic deficiency of good circulation is equally debilitating to the ability of brain cells to maintain balance away from the oxidative zone.
MACULAR DEGENERATION
Age-related macular degeneration (MD) perfectly exemplifies the devastation of oxidative stress on specialized tissues. Highly specialized brain cells are slower to replace themselves and warrant the body’s protection. The brain has mechanRetinal cells (those affected by MD) have rich oxygen demands, and are injured easily by toxins. Tremendous circulatory strength helps to eliminate the products of cellular combustion, which are large. This oxidative stress load (from cellular combustion) can grow as we get older. Age-induced narrowed circulation along with slower cellular metabolism and energy production by the mitochondria compound the problem. It is this uncorrected oxidative exposure that results in macular degeneration.
Blindness from this condition affects millions of Americans, most commonly after the age of 65. Demographic research demonstrates that MD is more prevalent in those who smoke habitually and are frequently exposed to toxins. Studies have shown that consuming a diet rich in lutein (a potent dietary antioxidant-provoking amino acid) helps to decrease risk of MD. Supplementing the body with balanced stabilized REDOX molecules may help prevent and assist in treatment of this condition.
HEART DISEASE
The number-one killer in the industrialized world is coronary artery disease (CAD). The arteries of the muscle of the heart are very susceptible to oxidative stress. The oxygen and nutrient requirements of the heart muscle cells are massive. The heart never rests! Thus, these vessels are critical lifelines for the heart muscle to be able to function.
Blockages cause major troubles for the cells. The body has established vast pathways of vessels and capillaries and to provide the needed “interstate” arteries as well as the tiny side “roads.”
Blockages (see HYPERTENSION) cause oxidative stress in the cardiac muscle cells. This oxidative stress can cause REDOX chemical reactions, which result in malformed proteins—proteins that fail to produce the contractions (muscle squeezing) necessary to pump blood throughout the body.
Oxidative stress in the muscle cells causes a chemical imbalance inside the cells (NAD(P) oxidase, and a breakdown in the mitochondria’s (cellular power plants) ability to create energy via electron chain transport system. This buildup (like rusting) and oxidative stress, coupled with a lack of ATP (energy) being produced by the muscle cell, causes weakness in contraction ability. Cells can actually die from exhaustion as well. Some cells weaken so much that they dilate (enlarge), resulting in heart enlargement (congestive heart failure).
Treatment is challenging. Symptomatic treatment may include stretching the vessels open with balloons placed in the arteries through angioplasty/angiography, which can be life-saving. Best, however, is to get at the heart of the problem (pun intended), by decreasing oxidative stress. Obesity, hypertension, and elevated blood lipids are REDOX mediated issues that respond to foundational lifestyle changes and supplementation of REDOX signaling molecules.
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