Damage to the body caused by free radicals

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 also by external factors such as environmental toxins, UV radiation, cigarette consumption, etc. Long-term consequences of an insufficiently compensated excess of free radicals could be faster skin aging, arteriosclerosis (due to damage to the artery walls), cardiovascular disease, arthritis and - especially if there is resulting DNA damage - be a cancer-promoting effect. However, there are no studies that clearly prove these connections.

Oxidation can be clearly observed, for example, in cut apples - they turn brown. However, if you sprinkle the apple slices with an antioxidant such as vitamin C in the form of lemon juice, this oxidation is obviously prevented. slowed down.

The inactivation of free radicals in the body occurs 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 work in isolation, but rather in interaction with other antioxidants (“antioxidant 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 use of monopreparations. This is also the reason why we at QIDOSHA decided on a combination preparation for this topic.

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 antioxidant content; including v.a Flavonoids, polyphenols and vitamin C: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7231151/
The ORAC value (Oxygen Radical Absorbence), which indicates the antioxidant potential, is 1348 units/g, about 13 times higher than that of pomegranates and ~15 times higher high like blueberries. Matcha has an ORAC value of 1.711 units/g, the highest known ORAC value in a natural product. A 2018 study postulates that the high levels of theanine and arginine in matcha may have strong stress-reducing effects: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30308973/

Beta-carotene has been proven to have an antioxidant effect based on inactivation (so-called “Quenching”) of reactive oxygen compounds is based. Carotenoids can intervene in radical chain reactions and in this way protect the body from attacks by free radicals; see.: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8675913/. They can also act as immune system modulators. Studies in older men and healthy male non-smokers were able to stimulate some parameters of the immune response (cf. 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 to control the growth and division rates of cells, which makes its use in tumor diseases seem sensible, but needs 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 in the body such as vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 or glutathione. This can also pass through the brain barrier and therefore also protects the brain and nerves. It can perform its functions in both water-soluble and fat-soluble environments. 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 disease: https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/daz-az/2009/daz-3-2009/liponsaeure-bei-alzheimer-demenz

Quercetin has been widely used in naturopathy and TCM for years due to its strong antioxidant effect. It is one of the most effective flavonoid antioxidants (cf. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311773564_Antioxidant_Activity_of_Quercetin_A_Mechanistic_Review) For several years now, science has been intensively dealing with its antioxidant mechanisms of action, which are described in this study from 2019: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470739/
In a study published in 2011, it was shown that the antioxidant potential of quercetin even exceeds that of curcumin (the active ingredient in the well-known antioxidant turmeric): 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 provide optimal protection against free radicals and thus protect the genetic material from oxidative stress: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13680815/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8792640/
The following article presents animal studies and in vivo evidence for Bacopa monnieri discussed as a potential therapeutic antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/615384/

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

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), in contrast to vitamins C and E as well as carotenoids, which are among the well-known antioxidants, still leads a shadowy existence in the public eye. 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 injury; see.: 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 consumers from supposedly misleading claims about effectiveness. The statements made here refer to the original Ayurvedic and TCM texts. This ancient knowledge, which is thousands of years old, is based on experiences that are passed on from generation to generation. It is not intended to claim that the products described here have an effect in the sense of western medicine. All products are nutritional supplements; they are not medications and have no medical effect. If you are sick and need medical care, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.