Anti-oxidants that Fight Radiation

As a subscriber to Life Extension, a high quality magazine in alternative health and nutrition, I was glad to read a recent article written by Foster Stevens regarding anti-oxidants that fight radiation.

The recent Japanese nuclear reactor dilemma, according to the June 2011 Life Extension article, appears to have brought some radiation into the states that's been detected. Officials in the government have stated that these levels are not dangerous. However, if you think it's wise to believe the government regarding this issue, take a stroll back down memory lane when Linus Pauling helped to put a stop to above ground nuclear testing after thousands died from "harmless radioactive ash" as stated by the government back then, caused by the testing of nuclear substances above the ground.

A number of nutrients are particularly helpful for quenching radiation and protecting the cells are as follows.

SAMe

Otherwise known as S-adenosylmethionine, this potent nutrient is imperative for the maintaining glutathione, an amino acid in the cell walls that assists with the maintenance of DNA cell repair within the cells. Hence the thwarting of destruction to cells by destroyers that cause cancer as well as other disease and degeneration.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Whether in a water or fat environment, this anti-oxidant is effective in irradicating damaging free radicals from the membranes of the cell. Over the years, much evidence has been compiled suggesting the lipoic acid offers paramount protection against those threats that are radioactive in nature. I once heard my very well respected nutritionist say that he thought this anti-oxidant was every bit as important as Vitamin C.

N-acetyl Cysteine

As a sulphur substance, this compound is supportive of innate intracellular systems of anti-oxidants that are already manufactured by the body. In particular the amino acid glutathione which as explained earlier in this article, has the ability to assist with repairing DNA damage within the cell. This nutrient also helps the liver in decreasing damage from oxidants whether it's derived from radiation or other sources.

Beta-Carotene

As a precursor to vitamin A, this anti-oxidant was first used clinically for those victims of the Chernobyl nuclear mishap. It was given immediately to the children living in that region as the first line of defense in assisting them to survive the radiation levels. Supplementing with this nutrient decreased the oxidized lipids that had become exposed to the radiation. To take things further, controlled studies that included animals has shown that Beta-Carotene has the ability to reverse the characteristics of abnormalities in genes exposed to radiation leaving a pathway to cancer.