Free Radicals and Eczema

I read a powerful article from Bio/Tech News.  I summarize below:

Medical and scientific researchers are convinced that uncontrolled free radical activity in the body is directly associated with a number of health problems.  Dry skin, allergies, asthma, inflamed tissues, psoriasis, stress damage, wrinkling of the skin, skin cancer and liver damage are just a few of over 60 diseases/disorders in which free radicals have been implicated.

To help understand, electrons normally come in pairs; a free radical is an atom or molecule with an unpaired electron.  This unpaired electron in a free radical causes it to collide with other molecules so it can steal an electron from them, which changes the structure of these other molecules and causes them to also become free radicals.  This can create a chain reaction in which the structure of millions of molecules are altered.

How do free radicals get into our bodies?  From "within", as the natural by-products of ongoing biochemical reactions occurring in normal metabolic functions, in the detoxification processes and in immune system defense.  From "without", free radicals come from food, water, drugs, medicines, radiation, pesticides, air pollutants, solvents, fried foods and alcohol.

But, free radical scavengers (antioxidants) neutralize the activity of these free radicals.  Antioxidants work by donating or "sacrificing" an electron to the free radical, which then becomes paired with the formerly unpaired electron, thereby stabilizing and, in effect, eliminating the free radical.  Although the body will produce anti-oxidant defenses, it also makes great use of nutrients and minerals such as vitamins E, C and beta-Carotene and the minerals selenium and zinc.  See also The Electrically Charged Inflammation Web Page.

Now, a whole new subclass of bioflavonoid compounds called flavenes has been discovered.  These flavan molecules are called Oligo Proantho Cyanidins ("OPCs").   As free-radical scavengers, these substances are 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E and at least 20 times stronger than Vitamin C.  OPCs are many times more effective as free radical neutralizers than anything previously discovered.  Dr. Masquelier named his new find pycnogenols (which means to condense into one).

Active pycnogenols have been isolated from many plants that are natural food sources like apples, hawthorn berries, cocoa beans, quince, cherries, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, sorghum, strawberries, beans, hops and rose hips.  Pycnogenols have been found to be present in many red wines.  But, by far the most potent concentrations are from pine bark and grape seeds.  I thank Jack Challem, The Nutrition Reporter™ for these next two wonderful articles that helped me sort through all the flavonoid talk.   "The Color of Health" and "A Critical Look at the Flavonoids and Some Sound Recommendations".

Olive Oil

Skin Damage and Photoprotection.  This skin damage produced by overexpsoure to sun rays and environmental stress is related to the destructive activity of free oxygen related radicals produced by skin cells.  Polyphenolic components of olive oil have been compared to traditional antioxidants, such as tocopherols, used by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry to prevent skin damage.  Results show polyphenols as having the highest activity as radical scavengers.

Good nutrition can go a long way in keeping you and your largest organ of your body, your skin, healthy!