Not all free radicals are the same

Why do we age?

This is one of the great topics of debate. Why do we age? What causes us to become more wrinkled, flabby, with less vitality and fewer resources every day? And the question is, is it possible to stop this cascade of disasters? The answer is yes and no. It depends. We age because our genes are damaged. They deteriorate over time because they are worn down by the attack of exogenous and endogenous agents. For example, pollution damages them, "dirties" them. We also age because telomeres shorten. Telomeres are the edges of chromosomes. Interestingly, Angel Durántez told me the other day that he's seen them shorten and lengthen! So we can also get involved here, although it's not entirely clear how. This is the thing about science and medicine. It's hypermultifactorial. Our bodies can develop degenerative diseases because we don't properly eliminate certain proteins that have a function and must then be eliminated. This is the case with Alzheimer's. Here, the protein that clumps together and blocks proper neuronal function is called beta-amyloid protein. And finally, another reason we age is because we rust. Just as a screw rusts, our cells atrophy.

- A brief lesson in anatomy and physics.

Our body is made up of billions of cells. Cells are made up of molecules. Molecules are made up of atoms, and these atoms have electrons at their centers, rotating and stabilizing the molecule. And so everything works. Now, some of the functions our body performs, such as breathing or metabolizing food, destabilize this internal order of molecules. And chaos, which is the first cousin of order (as Peterson taught us), generates free radicals. And here's a little defense against these unstable molecules that generate so many bad vibes. One of the ways our immune system fights invaders is with free radicals that attack and bombard them. This is how lymphocytes work. They're our defensive soldiers, but we must keep them at bay. The problem begins when the number of free radicals skyrockets. Just as when our genes deteriorate, or when we don't properly eliminate proteins that are meant to perform a specific function and then leave, free radicals can't exceed X. Anchor. The body is equipped to combat free radicals, which are essential for the functions we've already mentioned: breathing, metabolizing food, and fighting off invaders. The body generates molecular compounds called antioxidants. They neutralize the action of free radicals by releasing the electrons they are seeking and thus stabilize or neutralize the excess free radicals. Oxidative stress arises when there are many more free radicals than antioxidants. At that moment, the balance is broken and the free radicals, which are very active, begin to attack (seek their electron), altering and damaging healthy cells. Oxidation, inflammation and disease arise if this occurs on a large scale. The good news, which you all already know, is that neutralizing weapons can be provided that completely numb these soldiers that destabilize the body. A way has been found to strengthen and slow down oxidation through diet and supplementation. But before getting into the solution and the types of antioxidants that exist (which are basically two groups), I would like to give you another piece of good news. Today, you can already measure your body's oxidative stress level. Specifically, you can measure your antioxidant capacity and your body's oxidation level. The d-Rom test analyzes Reactive Oxygen Metabolites, also known as hydroperoxides. It is measured in Carratelli Units (the person who invented this tool). It is performed through a blood test. The normal range, according to Dr. Cardona, is 250 to 300 Carratelli units. Additionally, you can take a test called PAT (Plasma Antioxidant Potential), which measures the antioxidant capacity of your plasma. This test is also used in blood. The correct reading is above 20,000 Cor units, as the body can effectively defend itself against free radicals. Now that we've seen that oxidative stress levels can be measured, I'd like to discuss some of the effects of having an uncontrolled overpopulation of free radicals. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation: accelerate aging They are the trigger for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, arthritis, dermatitis, autoimmune diseases reduce ATP energy generation and of course all those that can be observed such as sagging, loss of skin color, hair quality, etc. And how can we help the body combat this excess of RL? Providing antioxidants. It's the only way.

- Types of antioxidants:

And here comes the gift, I'm going to explain what you have to take to help your body stay in balance and avoid oxidation: There are two types of Antioxidants: -1) The endogenous ones -those that, as I mentioned, the body generates: coenzymes, catalase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, among others. -2) Exogenous minerals, those that the body does not generate but that can be provided by an external source: minerals such as selenium, germanium, zinc, vitamins C and E, flavonoids, lycopenes, luteins, etc. As the name suggests, endogenous radicals are those generated by our body. Over time, when it is bombarded by an inadequate diet, insufficient or unbalanced micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, coenzyme Q10, omega-3, omega-6, amino acids, etc.); excess pollutants, excessive sun and exercise, of course alcohol, tobacco, medications, or even daily stress, these reserves become depleted and an excess of free radicals accumulates, which grows and the body deteriorates, oxidizes, and atrophies. On the other hand, there are exogenous antioxidants, which are those that are not generated by the body and come to us from external sources, primarily through nature: vegetables and fruits. For example, wine, which has become so famous thanks to its highly antioxidant polyphenols. But besides wine, there are fruits and vegetables in nature that have proven effective in rebalancing—and we already know that this can be measured—oxidative stress levels. At Longevitas we have approached this topic from these two points of view. Helping the body to have biosimilar antioxidants to those it generates, that is, providing ENDOGENOUS antioxidants or those identical to those the body generates: And there is our Ubiquinol Formula, and at the same time we have designed a formula to provide the body with EXOGENOUS antioxidants, those that come from nature, Mamberry.