Free Radical Cell Death Switch Identified: Molecular pathway may contribute to age related diseases
by Derek Burreson
Oxidative stress on our cells have been shown to be a major factor of many non-germ caused diseases or as they have been called - age related diseases. An article I came across in Science Daily website reports on a Harvard Medical School study about this oxidative stress in our cells that can cause a build-up of damaging excess free radicals. There have been many studies about the effects of this cellular damage, but what I found quite interesting in the article was the fact that their conclusion seemed to be that these findings may “pave the way for new drugs and diagnostic strategies”. Our bodies produce free radicals through our cells conversion of oxygen to energy and we combat these with antioxidants, (think of vitamins C, E and beta carotene to be the most recognized) but excess free radicals can damage our cells over time and this is where many problems can be found.
Are drugs needed to mimic the processes of natural antioxidants? That’s an individual choice to be made, but it takes many years of research and millions of dollars to bring a new drug to market. For now I will stick to an antioxidant rich diet and supplementation to give my body the tools to help combat cellular free radical damage.
Source:
Oxidative stress on our cells have been shown to be a major factor of many non-germ caused diseases or as they have been called - age related diseases. An article I came across in Science Daily website reports on a Harvard Medical School study about this oxidative stress in our cells that can cause a build-up of damaging excess free radicals. There have been many studies about the effects of this cellular damage, but what I found quite interesting in the article was the fact that their conclusion seemed to be that these findings may “pave the way for new drugs and diagnostic strategies”. Our bodies produce free radicals through our cells conversion of oxygen to energy and we combat these with antioxidants, (think of vitamins C, E and beta carotene to be the most recognized) but excess free radicals can damage our cells over time and this is where many problems can be found.
Are drugs needed to mimic the processes of natural antioxidants? That’s an individual choice to be made, but it takes many years of research and millions of dollars to bring a new drug to market. For now I will stick to an antioxidant rich diet and supplementation to give my body the tools to help combat cellular free radical damage.
Source:
Harvard Medical School (2006, June 2). Free Radical Cell Death Switch Identified: Molecular Pathway May Contribute To Age Related Diseases.
ScienceDaily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060601220956.htm