My 13th book, Best Future You, is out!
Over the next several weeks, I’ll be posting excerpts from the book and blogging frequently about the main concept in the book – which is the idea of harnessing your body’s internal cellular biochemistry to achieve true balance in body, mind, and spirit – and in doing so, help you to become your “Best Future You” in terms of how you look, how you feel, and how you perform on every level.
Chapter 4 – Don’t Take Antioxidants— Make Antioxidants
The question has been asked for generations—what can I do to improve my state of health? From the perspective of maintaining health and wellness, the proper management of biochemical balance and cellular stress is thought by many scientists to be among the most important (if not the most important) aspects of human metabolism.
We’ve known for more than 50 years that the cellular basis of “aging” is directly linked to highly reactive molecules called “free radicals” or “reactive oxygen species” (ROS). These ROS can react with and cause damage to cellular structures throughout the body, especially to cell membranes, DNA (genetic material), and mitochondria (where cells generate energy). As this cellular damage accumulates, our cells cannot function properly, and we recognize the common symptoms of “aging,” such as reduced energy levels, creaky joints, wrinkled skin, and many others that make us feel and look older and worn out. Too many people think that theses age-related changes are “inevitable,” but the scientific evidence shows us quite clearly that by managing oxidative stress within healthy ranges, we can help people not only reduce the signs of aging, but to feel, look, and perform at their best.
As a scientist who has studied biochemical balance and cellular stress for the majority of my career, I can say with conviction that the proper management and balance of cellular stress is often the fundamental difference between a healthy life filled with abundant vigor, and an unhealthy life or feeling burned out and exhausted. Dozens of peer reviewed scientific studies at universities around the world and published in some of the most prestigious scientific journals show how a range of natural ingredients help to activate the body’s own protective mechanisms. The right blends and combinations of phytonutrients have been shown to reduce cellular damage by as much as 40 percent within thirty days (an astonishing amount of protection in such a small period of time).
As mentioned, at the heart of this cellular protective pathway is the Cellular Defense Response (CDR) that serves as a “master regulator” of the body’s antioxidant response. Again, the best way to think of CDR is as a “thermostat” within our cells that senses the level of cellular stress and turns on internal protective and repair mechanisms. Interestingly, while we know that there are numerous CDR-inducers in the natural world, we also know that specific combinations of ingredients can maximize gene expression in hundreds of genes associated with superior health of tissues and organs throughout the body. This suggests that our cells possess all the genetic resources required to maintain proper oxidative balance, promote health, and slow the aging process at the genetic level by naturally activating the CDR pathways.
Thanks for reading – tune in for the next installment on “CDR: The Past.”
