Combatting Oxidative Stress from Within

Combatting oxidative stress from within is a much smarter approach than trying to minimize our exposure. Sure – let’s try to do that as well. However, OS is internally produced and attacks us from our environment. There are many exposures to oxidative stressors that are out of our control.

How many times have you said, or heard someone else say:

“ Uncle Tom smoked a pack a day, was never sick a day and lived to be 90”.

Or

“I don’t get it – Sally is 32, healthy, exercises, eats right…and has breast cancer!”

The body is a very complex system of chemical reactions. Those chemical reactions are dictated by both genetics & epigenetics. When we talk about living a healthy lifestyle – we need to look beyond the superficialities, and understand how our choices are impacting our DNA – definitely not always as we hope. 

Oxidative stress (OS) is a fact of life. I have made it my mission in my personal life and corporate life to enlighten people about the dangers and realities of oxidative stress. Workplace health programs center around eating right,  exercise, sleep – all of those are obviously critical. However, my mantra – our cell being – we have to dig deeper and investigate what epigenetic influences are sabotaging our best efforts. Illness happens because our cells have been manipulated. 

Think of OS as the mortal kryptonite. OS comes from within our bodies, as it is a natural by-product of our energy production in the mitochondria of our cells. And, it is also an unfortunate by product from our environment, exposures & the thousands of choices we make on a daily basis, such as:

• toxins …..abundant in all of the chemicals in our world
• pollution
• poor food choices
• smoking (1st, 2nd, 3rd hand smoke)
• drinking alcohol
• exposure to radiation
• constant mental stress and high cortisol production
• many many more… 

OS can lead to chronic inflammation. It is at the root of all of our chronic illnesses including cancers, heart disease, depression, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, neuro-degenerative disorders, macular degeneration, diabetes….you name it. 

Our redox state is the balance within between OS & antioxidants. The reason we are told to “eat a rainbow” of colored fruits and vegetables is for the antioxidants (and many other healthy reasons!) to counteract the free radicals created by OS. An imbalance in our redox state – high levels of oxidative stress- alter and impair the functioning of proteins, enzymes & our DNA. Here I am discussing two ways to help control OS. 

Methylate!

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism adding a methyl (CH3) group to DNA, modifying the function of the genes and affecting gene expression. DNA methylation often inhibits the expression of certain genes, in a good way.  For example, methylation  might stop a tumor-causing gene from “turning on,” thereby preventing a cancer formation. Research shows us DNA methylation slows down as we age. Research is looking into learning to analyze our own methylation abilities. As a result, genes that were once repressed by methylated DNA start to become active, possibly allowing the development of a  variety of diseases. Research is looking into learning to analyze our own methylation abilities. What we can do to reduce demethylation? 

• We know methylation is slowed by alcohol. Alcohol is NOT our friend. A glass of wine a day does NOT support heart health. Those studies have been ripped apart many times. I think we all know better, heart smart habits than alcohol. The very first glass of alcohol causes inflammation in the body – and yes it will in some people more than others. 
• We know certain nutrients in our diet are supportive of methylation including folate, B12 (decreases with age) B6 & choline.- Take a look at this list. How many of those foods are written off because people perceive them as “unhealthy” ? Beef, eggs, bananas, fish, dairy chicken, potatoes…so as always – I beg people to really think if they are eating a complete diet, really supporting their health vs. following a fad, making sweeping generalizations. 

Combatting Oxidative Stress with NRF2 Pathway:

Complicated – but simply, our inner NRF2 pathway triggers our antioxidative genes. It is completely accepted the NRF2 pathway  lowers oxidative stress, however, it also dramatically decreases with age. The NRF2 powers provide a million times the antioxidative power. There are hundreds of studies, peer reviewed studies that prove the incredible power of activating our NRF2 pathway. The truth is – there really is only one way to activate the NRF2 pathway – and that is with the natural supplements that have been studied, proven and accepted by our respected medical institutions. 

Our cells are forced to confront the  daily cacophony of life, from oxidative stress. We have the ability to orchestrate the musicians, our cells, into the symphony of life. Contact me to lower oxidative stress by up to 40% in the first month. My Bonus for the corporate world – free educational webinars on understanding oxidative stress and inflammation – and really managing and preventing disease.  email me for details.

Oxidative Stress at the Root of Disease

In Health,

Shira

Shira@BestInCorporateHealth.com.    Set Up a Call

The supplement like a flu shot against oxidative stress…..

Why are we not controlling chronic illness? We must control the wildfire of inflammation and lower oxidative stress. We know oxidative stress is at the root of chronic illness such as cancer, heart disease, depression, arthritis, stroke, diabetes. Inflammation ages us and leaves us susceptible to disease….We take a flu shot to prevent the flu – one simple supplement to lower your oxidative stress by as much as 40%.    7 patents, 24 peer reviewed studies on pubmed, accolades from American Heart Association, Mayo Clinic, National Institute on Aging….Washington State: “may well become the most extraordinary therapeutic and most extraordinary preventative breakthrough in the history of medicine.”

Shira Litwack:  Corporate Wellness Specialist, Chronic Care prevention & management program design, health technologies, population health management on 3 continents.

There is an estimated 750 Billion dollars in U.S. health care waste every year. Our many technologies assure you are not contributing to that $750 billion. Health technology serving the continuum from prevention through chronic illness management. 

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