Posted on 09/25/2009 4:05:25 AM PDT by decimon
Antioxidants are a big buzzword these days - everyone claims to have them and that impresses buyers but most don't really know what that means.
Health conscious people know that taking antioxidants to reduce the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) - ions or very small molecules that include free radicals - in blood can prevent the DNA damage done by free radicals, which are the result of oxidative stress. What fewer people know is that excessive use of antioxidants depletes their immune systems?
Research at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has found that in Drosophila, colloquially called the common fruit fly, moderately elevated levels of ROS are actually a good thing.
These small molecules act as an internal communicator, signaling certain blood precursor cells, or blood stem cells, to differentiate into immune-bolstering cells in reaction to a threat. After the progenitor cells differentiate, the ROS levels return to normal, ensuring the safety and survival of the mature blood cells, said Utpal Banerjee, a Jonsson Cancer Center researcher and senior author of the study.
(Excerpt) Read more at scientificblogging.com ...
Interesting article. Thanks.
Color me skeptical. Vitamin C is a hugh anti-oxident, and has been a classic used in fighting colds.
Like, *PING*, dude.
This is interesting. I have been attributing my intake of amti-oxidants to my extraordinarily GOOD immune system. I drink lots of tea. I NEVER get sick. The whole office can be coughing and sneezing and blowing their noses, but I just sail right through it all, healthy as a horse.
Looks like this research is just beginning. Optimal levels and types of antioxidants are not addressed in this article. Sounds like worthwhile research, though.
thanks, bfl
stem cell ping
I don’t beleive this about anti oxidants.
Thanks Coleus.
same here... plus i look younger than my age... i'll stick to my anti-oxidants...
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