John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

One of life's great contradictions is that the very processes that support our life are responsible for taking it.

Our life is dependent on the oxygen we breathe and the conversion and release of energy from food. Energy is generated in our cells, mostly within tiny cell organelles called mitochondria which act as our cell engines.

The problem is that as mitochondria convert energy this also releases damaging free radicals that if left unchecked can damage our cells. This process of free radical damage is the very heart of most chronic disease formation. Many researchers, including Professor P. Rabinovich (Washington State University, 2011) think that the very aging process and certainly many diseases start with accumulated free radical damage to cell mitochondria.

We can compare this process to our cars. Engines convert the energy in fuel to create power but this process also creates exhaust gases. If a modern car is well tuned with a good exhaust system it will contain and neutralise many exhaust gases before they pollute the environment. In our cells the exhaust gases are free radicals and the exhaust system our antioxidant defences. The problem is that most people have broken down antioxidant systems and thus are in a state of oxidative stress which damages cells to create chronic diseases. Choose any chronic disease and you will find advanced free radical damage playing either a central or supporting role in cell destruction.

Antioxidants are compounds directly obtained from food sources or are enzymes manufactured in our bodies that donate electrons to unstable free radicals. These include some vitamins, notably C and E, some minerals especially zinc, selenium, copper and manganese. These metallic trace minerals are needed to form potent antioxidant enzymes, which are our cell gatekeepers to neutralise free radicals formed by our energy processes. In addition there are thousands of plant chemicals called phytonutrients that contain some of the most potent and important antioxidants, such as the polyphenols in grapes and green tea.

In order to prevent disease and help reverse existing problems the first step is to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including antioxidant-rich beverages like green tea and pomegranate or organic dark grape juice. The second step to ensure your defences are at maximum efficiency is to use the best combined multi-antioxidant, mineral and vitamin supplement you can find. Give me a call if you need help. To join my weekly newsletter go to www.johnarts.co.nz and visit www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health. To contact John phone (local) 578 9051 or 0800 423 559.