While we benefit from the wisdom and experience we gain as we age, we agonize over wrinkles, stiff joints, weakened bones and muscles, and that dreaded “d” word - disease.  We do not have to simply succumb to these signs of aging.  Instead, we can help our bodies fight the primary force behind nearly every negative effect of aging - oxidation.

To understand how oxidation works, keep in mind three basic concepts:

•Physical matter is composed of atoms, each with a nucleus that is circled by one or more electrons.

•Electrons are small, negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus like planets circle the sun.

•Molecules consist of two or more atoms held together through a sharing of their electrons.

In simple terms, oxidation occurs when a molecule loses one or more of its shared electrons. In the same way that pulling a brick out of a brick wall would weaken the wall, most molecules become unstable with the loss of electrons. This electron deficit is so destabilizing to some molecules that they initiate a vigorous chain reaction of stealing electrons from all the molecules around them. These highly reactive electron thieves are called free radicals and they inflict damage via oxidative stress.

Unaddressed oxidative stress unravels tissues, rips through membranes, distorts DNA, interrupts normal metabolism, sets off destructive chemical reactions, and creates cellular debris that disrupts normal bodily functions. Ultimately, all pathogens and all toxins cause their damage – including common signs of aging – by initiating and increasing oxidative stress within the cells of the body.

The only way to combat oxidative stress is with antioxidants – molecules that can donate electrons without becoming unstable. By contributing electrons to unstable, electron-depleted free radicals, antioxidants can neutralize them and often reverse the damage that has already been inflicted.

The body has an elaborate defense system for neutralizing oxidative stress with antioxidants it makes (like glutathione) and antioxidants that come from the diet (like vitamin C). As the body grows older, its natural production of antioxidants diminishes, and the need for dietary and supplemental antioxidants like vitamin C increases dramatically.  

Fortunately, we can supply our bodies with vitamin C from a variety of foods and supplements. Unfortunately, traditional vitamin C - powders, tablets, capsules and even vitamin C from your diet - is not processed and absorbed efficiently by your body when you ingest more than 100 mg at one time. In fact, when you take 1,000 mg or more of regular oral vitamin C, more than half of it is passed as waste by your body. The most efficient way to absorb high doses of vitamin C [link to The Daily Need for Vitamin C] is through Intravenous (IV) infusions or liposomal vitamin C supplements [link to Optimizing Blood Levels of Vitamin C].

We can’t stop the aging process, we all know this. But with an adequate supply of antioxidants, we can all spend more time in the excitement and less time in the agony of aging.

 Choose Altrient C - high quality Liposomal Vitamin C

©2014 LivOn Labs. Content adapted from Primal Panacea by Thomas E. Levy, MD, JD.