Free Radicals - Antioxident & Ayurveda

Pro-oxidant conditions dominate either due to the increased generation of the free radicals caused by excessive oxidative stress of the present day life, or due to the poor scavenging in the body caused by depletion of the dietary antioxidants. This oxidative stress may result in to tissue injury and subsequently to various diseases.

The ancient Ayurvedic physicians understood the delicate cellular mechanisms of the body and the deterioration of the functional efficiency of the body tissues; thus developed certain dietary and therapeutic measures that helps to expel free radicals from the body, repair damaged cells, arrest/delay ageing and rejuvenates complete functional dynamics of the body organs. This revitalization and rejuvenation is known as the ‘Rasayan chikitsa’ (REJUVENATION THERAPY).

What are FREE RADICALS? What are their roles in diseases?

Free radicals are natural by-products of our own metabolism. These electrically charged molecules attack our cells, tearing through cellular membranes &, are capable of causing cells to lose their structure, function and can eventually destroy them. They are continuously produced by our body's use of oxygen.

They are also generated through environmental pollutants, cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, radiation, air-pollution, pesticides, etc.

There are more than 1000 toxic elements present in environment, which we are being exposed to on daily basis and these toxic elements increase production of free radical in our body. 

Normally there is a balance between the amount of free radicals generated in the body and the antioxidant defense systems; antioxidants scavenge these free radicals preventing them from causing deleterious effects in the body. However, when this balance is shifted towards more of free radicals, increasing their burden in the body leads to oxidative stress, which may result in tissue injury and subsequent diseases.

Over about 100 disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, kidney disease, thyroid diseases neurodegenerative diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, AIDS, Alzheimers, premature aging etc. have been reported as FREE RADICALS mediated. 

The roles played by FREE RADICALS in various diseases have been well established, as well as their involvement in the process of ageing.

How to bring balance in between free radical and antioxidant?

Toxic elements, that are present in the environment, we are either inhaling them through air or ingesting with foods. These toxins are lipophyllic in nature; they love human body fat and keep on accumulating in fat cells. In addition, accelerate the rate of production of free radicals

In Ayurveda free radicals & toxins are identified as AMA, which is responsible for a variety of diseases and premature aging.

Normal expulsion rate of these toxins from body is Fraction of 1 %, our body cells are not able to get rid of these toxins and thus suffer severe damage. However, this expulsion rate can be dramatically increased with Ayurvedic Rejuvenation therapies by up to 60-70 %.

Medications used for rejuvenation and detoxification therapies are very rich in powerful antioxidants and are good hepato protective and immunomodulating agents. These therapies help to dispense off free radicals, metabolic waste and cellular accumulations, repairs damage cells and establish equilibrium between antioxidants and free radicals in the body.

Rejuvenation therapies, thus not only help to cure diseases but also help one to attain longevity, sharp memory, intelligence, health, youthfulness, excellence of luster, complexion and voice.