Do ascorbic acid, ?-carotene and ?-tocopherol ring a bell? In layman’s language they are Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E respectively. Apart from being vitamins, what is so special about them?
These vitamins together with phenols and flavonoids — all found in the aloe plant — are potent antioxidants or anti-aging chemicals. Antioxidants function as scavengers on the lookout for unpaired electrons resulting from oxidative stress. As cells are exposed to adverse environmental factors, electrons from a substance are transferred to an oxidizing agent producing unpaired electrons called free radicals. These create havoc to your cells and result in the process of aging.
Scientifically, aging is also related to telomere length (Wikipedia: A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome, which protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration). Telomeres shorten with repeated replication. Scientists have proven that shorter telomeres result in aging and death. Telomeres are sensitive to oxidative stress. Shortened telomeres hasten aging and the development of degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis, cancer) and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus).
But the good news is antioxidants reverse this process.
The body has its own innate way of counteracting oxidative stress but when this mechanism is overloaded, it is not sufficient. Antioxidants have to be supplemented from the food we eat.
A research study published in PubMed in March 2009 investigated the implications of some ingredients of aloe gel phenols, flavonoids and the antioxidant vitamins — A, C and E. The study tested the antioxidant activities of aloe plant extract. According to the results, aloe vera possesses a “marked antioxidant activity” that protects against cell damage. The study found that aloe extract is an “efficient scavenger of superoxide radicals generated in xanthine/xanthine oxidase system.”
Thus, these potent antioxidants have very promising implications for the prevention of degenerative diseases such as coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer.
Multivitamins are found almost everywhere you go, in drug stores, grocery stores, convenience stores and on the internet. But research has time and again proven that synthetic vitamins are not as effective as antioxidants sourced from natural food. And aloe vera is 100 percent natural food.
The antioxidants in the aloe herb perfectly complement the polysaccharides in aloe that regulate blood sugar levels, its anti-inflammatory properties and cholesterol and triglycerides lowering effects. Have you ever found an herb that can give you such a wide range of wonderful benefits?
There are a lot of aloe food supplements available. When you select your supplement, choose one that processes the fresh aloe gel naturally preserving all the beneficial nutrients, vitamins, amino acids, cancer fighting chemicals and the antioxidants.
© Lisa K. Moran, 2010
