Fighting Free Radicals

By Al Sears, MD

Free radicals occur naturally in the body (as a byproduct of the metabolism process) and work to neutralize viruses and bacteria. But pollution, radiation, and cigarette smoke can also spawn free radicals. And if free radical production becomes excessive, it can destroy cells ... which leads to accelerated aging and disease. That's why you need to supplement with antioxidants, your body's free radical fighters.

Along with a multivitamin, I advise my patients to take additional doses of the following two antioxidants:

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is in a family of compounds called carotenoids. Best known for aiding in good eyesight, this vitamin does much more.

• Vitamin A prevents night blindness by preventing free radical damage in the eye.

• It acts as a powerful free radical scavenger in fat-soluble tissues.

• It lowers the risk of macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in the elderly.

• It decreases the risks of lung and breast cancer by supporting the immune system.

• It maximizes skin health by playing a key role in the integumentary system.

Vitamin A is found naturally in meat, milk, eggs, liver, carrots, and spinach. I recommend supplementing with 2,500 IUs per day.

Vitamin E

"Vitamin E" is actually a generic term for a group of eight compounds - four types of tocopherols and four types of tocotrienols. In their separate forms, these compounds work differently in the body. (Some tocotrienols, for example, are best absorbed by the skin.)

• Vitamin E fights free radicals that cause diseases of inflammation (such as rheumatoid arthritis).

• It lowers the risk of heart disease by increasing blood circulation.

• It lowers the risk of cancers in the prostate, colon, and breast.

It's important to note that too much of one type of tocopherol in the body can stop the absorption of the others. So read the label before you buy. A good mix of all four tocopherols and all four tocotrienols is your best bet. I recommend supplementing with 400 IUs of Vitamin E a day.

Both Vitamin A and Vitamin E are oil soluble and should be taken in gel-cap form. For best absorption, take them with a teaspoon of flaxseed oil or peanut butter or during a meal that includes fat.

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Quick Writing Tip: 2 Words to Avoid

By Will Newman

Be careful when using the words "literally" and "virtually." They're often misused by writers - even some of the best.

"Literally" means "true and factual." Misusing this word can create funny images in your reader's mind. I recently read this from a well-known author: "I was literally blasted out of my reverie." Literally blasted? The pieces must have flown all over the place.

"Virtually" means "almost, nearly, or close at hand." You'll often see it used when the writer meant "literally." For example: "It was virtually the most exciting experience I ever had."

As with most adverbs (words that end in "-ly"), it's best to avoid using these two words.

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue 1848, 09-30-06], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.