How Oxygen Radicals Protect Against Cancer

AHA Publisher — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 07:00:06 +0000

Goethe University Frankfurt via EurekAlert – Originally, oxygen radicals – reactive oxygen species, or ROS for short – were considered to be exclusively harmful in the body. They are produced, for example, by smoking or UV radiation. Because of their high reactivity, they can damage many important molecules in cells, including the hereditary molecule DNA. As a result, there is a risk of inflammatory reactions and the degeneration of affected cells into cancer cells. Because of their damaging effect, however, ROS are also deliberately produced by the body, for example by immune or lung epithelial cells, which destroy invading bacteria and viruses with ROS. This requires relatively high ROS concentrations. In low concentrations, on the other hand, ROS play an important role as signalling molecules. For these tasks, ROS are specifically produced by a whole group of enzymes. One representative of this group of enzymes is Nox4, which continuously produces small amounts of H2O2. Nox4 is found in almost all body cells, where its product H2O2 maintains a large number of specialised signaling functions, contributing, for example, to the inhibition of inflammatory reactions. Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt, led by Professor Katrin Schröder, have now discovered that by producing H2O2, Nox4 can even prevent the development of cancer. They examined mice that were unable to produce Nox4 due to a genetic modification. When these mice were exposed to a carcinogenic environmental toxin (cancerogen), the probability that they would develop a tumour doubled. Since the mice suffered from very different types of tumours such as skin sarcomas and colon carcinomas, the researchers suspected that Nox4 has a fundamental influence on cellular health. Molecular investigations showed that the H2O2 formed by Nox4 keeps a cascade going that prevents certain important signalling proteins (phosphatases) from entering the cell nucleus. If Nox4 and consequently H2O2 are absent, those signalling proteins migrate into the cell nucleus and as a consequence, severe DNA damage is hardly recognised. Severe DNA damage – e.g. double strand breaks – occurs somewhere in the body every day. Cells react very sensitively to such DNA damage, setting a whole repertoire of repair enzymes in motion. If this does not help, the cell activates its cell death programme – a precautionary measure of the body against cancer. When such damage goes unrecognised, as occurs in the absence of Nox4, it spurs cancer formation. Prof. Katrin Schröder explains the research results: “If Nox4 is missing and there is therefore no H2O2, the cells no longer recognise DNA damage. Mutations accumulate and damaged cells continue to multiply. If an environmental toxin is added that massively damages the DNA, the damage is no longer recognised and repaired. The affected cells are not eliminated either, but multiply, sometimes very quickly and uncontrollably, which eventually leads to the development of tumours. A small amount of H2O2 thus maintains an internal balance in the cell that protects the cells from degeneration.” To read the original article click here.

The post How Oxygen Radicals Protect Against Cancer appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Fight Coronavirus With Fasting?

AHA Publisher — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 07:00:32 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Doctors tell us older people carry a greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 largely because as we age our body’s natural ability to fight disease weakens. Similarly, even younger people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of complications from coronavirus. Neurologist and best-selling author Dr. David Perlmutter says since it looks like COVID-19 is going continue to threaten our health in the months, perhaps even years ahead, we should take steps now to boost our immune system and therefore improve our chance of survival if we become infected. In his book Brain Maker, Perlmutter describes the benefits of eating a probiotic-rich diet to strengthen the gut microbiome because most of the immune system resides in the intestinal tract. In addition to improving our gut health, he also recommends the immune-boosting practice of fasting. That’s because going without food altogether for certain periods of time triggers autophagy, which is the body’s way of repairing damaged cells that can cause sickness, making way for newer, healthier ones. This cellular rejuvenation aids in fighting infections like COVID-19 as well as preventing other life-threatening illnesses including Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer. Dr. Perlmutter recognizes many people are intimidated by the idea of fasting because they are afraid of being hungry or confused about how to go about fasting. That’s why he’s kicking off a week-long Summer Fasting Challenge beginning Sunday, July 5th. “Enjoy that summer barbeque to celebrate July 4th, then the next day join us to celebrate the miracle that is your body,” he said. The Sumer Fasting Challenge is a free, 7-day group fast that will begin with a 24-hour fast, followed by five days of time-restricted eating. Each day Dr. Perlmutter will join participants online with daily check-ins and support to include photos and stories of those taking part in the challenge. Perlmutter believes the psychological benefit of fasting alongside others, even virtually, improves the chances of success and the likelihood people will continue fasting on their own even after the challenge is over. Dr. Perlmutter will discuss the health benefits of fasting with Pat Robertson on The 700 Club, Wednesday, July 8th. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

The post Fight Coronavirus With Fasting? appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

damaged cells Archives - Amazing Health Advances

How Oxygen Radicals Protect Against Cancer

Fight Coronavirus With Fasting?