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INTRODUCTION
Under ordinary circumstances, environmental forces, like viruses, bacteria, and the effects of aging, constantly attack cells. Cells must produce energy in order to survive this barrage. They use this energy to protect themselves, carry out repair and self-renewal, and fuel their metabolism.
Think of cells as existing in locations, or neighborhoods. Different anti-oxidants, vitamins, and nutrients are needed in different neighborhoods to maintain cell health.
EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX
Vitamin C and the bioflavonoids help develop, sustain, and bind the matrix that lies between cells. Amino acids are cross-linked by enzymes that require Vitamin C. This same process comes into play when a wound heals. Vitamin C will not do the job alone; bioflavonoids, found in citrus peelings, are also required to strengthen healing tissue.
Vitamin E reduces scar formation and enhances tissue recovery. Vitamin E also protects the skin from damage caused by the sun's rays. The sun's rays damage the matrix found outside the cell, as well as the cellular membrane and contents.
Bioflavonoids are found in the carbohydrate-protein matrix of both plant and animal cells. Bioflavonoids found in plants protect against oxidation and some have anti-inflammatory properties. Others are potent antihistamines. Bioflavonoids protect the cardiovascular system, the blood-brain barrier, and the connective tissue of the joints. The complex carbohydrates, containing the bioflavonoids, control cellular growth, behavior, and rate of change. These carbohydrates play a role in cell recognition and cell communication. This active package of carbohydrates and bioflavonoids creates the miraculous healing properties found in many herbs and plants.
CELL MEMBRANES
Cell membranes contain large amounts of fat (lipids). Some of these fats are specialized unsaturated fats. Linolenic acid, linoleic acid, DHA, and EPA are examples of unsaturated fats. Oxidation can damage unsaturated fats. Oxidative damage interferes with normal cellular operations by making cells leak and by destroying their electrical properties. Anti-oxidants protect the cell’s membrane from oxidation. For an anti-oxidant to operate inside the membrane, it must be fat-soluble. Vitamin E and the carotenes are examples of such fat-soluble anti-oxidants.
CELL ORGANELLES
Organelles carry out many specialized cellular activities. Some organelles are nutrient warehouses. Mitochondria are cellular power plants. Coenzyme Q-10 helps drive mitochondrial energy production. Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) and carnitine are an important pair of energy-producing molecules. Carnitine helps maintain the youthful vigor of the heart muscle. ALC promotes fat metabolism and helps digest the fatty deposits in the brain that are associated with dementia. It also helps maintain youthful cells.
Lipoic acid is the most potent antioxidant and coenzyme factor. Another vitamin coenzyme, biotin, is consumed during lipoic acid metabolism.
Other organelles, containing enzymes and destructive compounds, are used to oxidize membranes and digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. They eliminate damaged cells and kill viruses or bacteria. These organelles can fuse with cellular membranes, releasing their contents. They play a role in pre-programmed cellular death.
CYTOSOL
Cytosol is the "soupy" contents contained within the cell. Cytosol enzymes and vitamins help protect the cell against damage caused by homocysteine and other oxidants. Homocysteine destroys cells in different parts of the body. Eliminating homocysteine requires three water-soluble vitamins: folate, Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin B-12. A shortage of these vitamins increases the risk of homocysteine damage.
OXYGEN, FATS, AND TOXIC WASTES
Oxygen is safely transported in the blood by hemoglobin. A very reactive element, it easily damages cells by producing free radicals, which damage cell membranes, proteins, and DNA. Vitamin E and squalene, serving as oxygen carriers, can reduce this hazard.
Oxygen is required in the metabolism of healthy cells (aerobic metabolism). Cancer cells generally do not tolerate oxygen (relying on anaerobic metabolism). Vitamin E, tocotrienols, and squalene, working with oxygen and free radicals, make it difficult for cancer to grow.
Squalene may participate in the transportation of toxic waste from the cells. Squalene also is a building block of cholesterol. Cholesterol, given a bad reputation, is actually an important component of cell membranes. It is also a building block of the many steroid hormones controlling metabolism and other body functions.
Major health problems can occur if cholesterol levels fall too low. People with cancer often have low cholesterol levels. Clinical studies also associate suicidal behavior with low cholesterol levels. In my clinical practice, I have seen many people stop responding to antidepressant therapy when they take cholesterol-lowering medications.
Many toxic substances are fat-soluble. If the body cannot eliminate them, they are stored in the body's fat cells. Recent governmental studies found increasing amounts and numbers of toxic, carcinogenic substances in fat cells.
Fat cells participate in the operation of the immune system. Fat-soluble molecules trigger the protective actions of the immune system. Immune regulating factors are built from fats. Some promote inflammation, while others reduce it. They create a balanced system, protecting us against infections and cell damage. They also govern cell repair.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) protects cells from the damaging effects of ionizing radiation. CLA may also create an advantage against cancer producing radiation. CLA also appears to positively influence sugar and fat metabolism. The bacteria in a healthy cow's digestive tract produce CLA. Antibiotics, used to treat infections in cows, kill the bacteria, and reduce the amount of CLA in the milk. Current animal feeding practices deprive these bacteria of the natural grasses used to make CLA.
Stress, poor diet, and environmental toxins damage and kill cells. Many nutrients are necessary for cellular health. Most diets do not provide all of them. Complete supplementation counteracts these forces and maintains cellular health. MEND Solutions™ supplements are designed to help cells rebuild, communicate, and work together, helping you stay healthy.
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