Free radical damage to the body

Every day our body cells are attacked by free radicals. They are aggressive oxygen and nitrogen compounds whose aggressiveness results from the fact that they try to remove an electron from other molecules (“oxidation”) that they are missing.

Free radicals are produced both by the body itself as part of metabolic processes and on the other hand by external factors such as environmental toxins, UV radiation, cigarette consumption, etc. Long-term consequences one not sufficient A compensated excess of free radicals could result in faster skin aging, arteriosclerosis (due to damage to the artery walls), cardiovascular diseases, arthritis and - especially with resulting DNA damage - a cancer-promoting effect. However, there are no studies that clearly prove these connections.

Oxidation can be observed very clearly in cut apples, for example - they turn brown. If, on the other hand, the apple slices are sprinkled with an antioxidant such as vitamin C in the form of lemon juice, this oxidation is obviously prevented or slowed down.

The inactivation of free radicals in the body takes place both enzymatically via a system of metal-containing enzymes that contain certain minerals such as selenium, copper, zinc, manganese, etc., and non-enzymatically through so-called "antioxidants" such as Q-10, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, etc. Antioxidants usually do not act in isolation, but in interaction with other antioxidants ("antioxidative network") - e.g. vitamin C and E or vitamin E and β-carotene - which is why a balanced Combination of different minerals and antioxidants is probably more effective than the high-dose application of mono-preparations. This is also the reason why we at QIDOSHA decided on a combination preparation for this complex of topics.

Important antioxidants

Cordyceps sinensis contains a variety of antioxidant substances that inactivate free radicals and protect the organism from cellular damage. A study published in 2000 suggests that Cordyceps sinensis extracts possess potent antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11114006/

Matcha tea is characterized by a high content of antioxidants; including flavonoids, polyphenols and vitamin C: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7231151/
The ORAC value (Oxygen Radical Absorbence), which describes the antioxidant potential, is included 1348 units/g about 13 times that of pomegranates and ~15 times that of blueberries. With an ORAC value of 1,711 units/g, matcha has the highest known ORAC value in a natural product. A 2018 study postulates that the high levels of theanine and arginine in matcha may show powerful stress-reducing effects: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30308973/

Beta-carotene has been shown to have an antioxidant effect based on the inactivation (so-called "quenching") of reactive oxygen compounds. Carotenoids can intervene in free radical chain reactions, thereby protecting the body from free radical attack; cf.: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8675913/. They can also act as immune system modulators. Studies in older men and healthy male non-smokers have been able to stimulate some parameters of the immune response (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8901800/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9042816 /)
Beta-carotene can also improve communication between cells.This could be a way of controlling the growth and division rates of cells, which makes the use in tumor diseases seem sensible, but has to be proven by further studies (cf. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1327514/ and https ://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8675913/)

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant - with the special feature that it can regenerate antioxidants used up in the body, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 or glutathione. This can also pass through the brain barrier and thus also protects the brain and nerves. It can perform its functions in both water-soluble and fat-soluble environment. Current study results from the geriatric clinic of the Henriettenstiftung in Hanover suggest a positive effect of alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of Alzheimer's: https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/daz-az/2009/daz-3-2009/ lipoic-acid-in-alzheimer's-dementia

Quercetin has been widely used in naturopathy and TCM for years due to its strong antioxidant effect. It is one of the most effective antioxidants of the flavonoids (see https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311773564_Antioxidant_Activity_of_Quercetin_A_Mechanistic_Review) For several years, science has also been intensively examining its antioxidant mechanisms of action, which are described in this study from 2019 : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470739/
A study published in 2011 showed that the antioxidant potential of quercetin even exceeded that of curcumin (the active ingredient in the well-known antioxidant turmeric). exceeds: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21445799/

Brahmi extract (Bacopa monnieri / 50% active bacosides) is a particularly high-quality substance. Studies from 2003 and 1996 suggest that Brahmi can offer optimal protection against free radicals and thus protect the genome from oxidative stress: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13680815/ and https:// pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8792640/
Animal studies and in vivo evidence for Bacopa monnieri as a potential therapeutic antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress are discussed in the following paper: https://www.hindawi.com/ journals/ecam/2015/615384/

Vitamin E helps protect cells from oxidative stress. We mainly rely on the vitamin E form tocotrienol, as its antioxidant potential in vitro is significantly higher than that of the tocopherol variant. For example, the following animal study in rats shows that alpha-tocotrienol has 40-60 times more antioxidant activity, although its bioavailability is lower: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1649783/

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), in contrast to vitamins C and E and carotenoids, which are among the well-known antioxidants, still lead a rather shadowy existence in public perception. There are numerous studies that confirm the antioxidant nature of riboflavin and show that this vitamin can protect the body from oxidative stress, especially lipid peroxidation and oxidative reperfusion damage; cf.: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/riboflavin-vitamin-b2-and-oxidative-stress-a-review/808987B9D15917EC23885EDFF5E17534/core-reader and https ://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7649494/

Legal consumer information

German and European case law wants to protect the consumer from supposedly misleading claims. The statements made here refer to the original Ayurvedic and TCM texts. This knowledge, which has been handed down for thousands of years, is based on experiences that are passed on from generation to generation. It should not be claimed that the products described here have any effect in the sense of western medicine.All products are dietary supplements; they are not medicines and have no medicinal effect. If you are ill and need medical care, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

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