Redox Signaling Molecules
A Frontier of Medical Discovery
Mitochondria
The Birthplace of Redox Signaling Molecules
Understanding Oxidants and Reductants in Nature and the Body
Redox signaling processes take place in nature every time there is a chemical reaction, including inside our cells. Both reductants and oxidants are important, and in order to maintain optimal health, we require them in balanced numbers.
Oxidants remove electrons; when they are exposed to oxygen they oxidize and change color—think rust on a nail or an apple turning brown.
Reductants deliver electrons. One of the most important redox signaling process that takes place in the mitochondria is with the addition of electrons to oxygen molecules.
What Is Oxidative Stress? Why Balance Matters?
Redox Signaling as the Body’s Internal Alarm System
The redox signaling process can be likened to smoke signals. Oxidants inside our cells can go rogue and result in major health damage if they aren’t cleaned up and controlled. The overabundance of oxidants in cells are the mechanism that tells the cell something is wrong and initiates the process where the body begins to repair, kill, or replace the cell.
When there are too many oxidants in the cell, it signals the genes inside of the nucleus to fix the problem. Hopefully, the action from the genes will fix the problem and homeostatic balance will be restored again inside the cell—this is the redox signaling process.
This process is of the utmost importance for detection of damaged cells, as well as repair, and replacement of damaged cells inside of our body tissues and organs.
Redox Imbalance and Its Link to Chronic Disease
Redox imbalances have been correlated with every single disease including aging, Alzheimer’s, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, dementia, ALS, chronic infections, gut disorders, arthritis, and many more.
Quote from Dr. Robertson D. Ward on Redox Balance and Health
James Watson’s Dedication to Redox Research
Recently, the scientist who discovered the DNA double helix, James Watson, announced that “abnormal redox signaling is the cause of diabetes”.
Consequently, he’s dedicated the remainder of his life’s research to redox research.
Redox Signaling Key To Cell Repair
Free Radicals and the Chain Reaction of Oxidative Damage
Free radicals form when a group of atoms, having an odd number of electrons, (resulting in one or more unpaired electrons) interact with oxygen. While this can be a bewildering idea, it’s true, our bodies rely on oxygen in order to survive. However, if not balanced by supplements, or the body’s own antioxidant mechanisms, this oxygenation process is also expensive to our health and contributes to disease, aging, and deterioration.
Oxidative damage occurs when these unstable free radicals interact with other molecules in the body. As these unstable reactive radicals domino, one unstable molecule steals an electron from the next and so on. This results in a snowball effect and creating imbalance in reductants and oxidants greater than the body is able to remedy or mitigate.
The deleterious effects of oxidative damage affect DNA, our telomeres, and cell function. Cells may function poorly, or die, if this occurs.
How the Body Fights Back
Antioxidants and Redox Supplements
To prevent free radical damage the body must deploy its defense system of antioxidants including ,Glutathione, SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD), and Catalase, or utilize external supplemental sources of antioxidants. Redox signaling supplements can increase our body’s production of these endogenously produced antioxidants. And that is precisely what happens when we supplement with the stabilized Redox Signaling Molecules in Asea. We are replenishing the Redox Signaling Molecules that have diminished over time,as part of the natural aging process and diminished mitochondrial functions..
Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. work by reducing oxidants into their reduced form through donating electrons without becoming free radicals themselves.
Why Reduction Reactions Matter for Health
Gene Expression Depends on Redox Signaling Molecules
How Redox Triggers Cell Repair and Recycling
Apoptosis
The Cell’s Emergency Shutdown
Protocol
Apoptosis is a process of cell death also referred to as cell suicide. Apoptosis usually begins only two hours following detection of increased levels of oxidants in the cell. In various forms of cancer, apoptosis does not occur, allowing cancer cells to become immortal. The cells are unable to detect damage and unable to repair themselves. In this case, the mitochondria have broken down as a result of their lost ability to carry on the network of redox signaling, impairing the apoptosis process from taking place. When a cancer cell goes rogue, it continues to replicate itself and spreads to other parts of the body leading to death.
Autophagy
Rebuilding Health by Recycling Damaged Mitochondria
Autophagy is the single pathway to remove and recycle older mitochondria that are broken. This process removes poor functioning mitochondria without killing the cell. This process occurs most often during sleep.
Autophagy has been of major interest to the Paleo and biohacking communities in recent years, as we are learning of various supplements, lifestyle changes, and dietary changes that have the ability to increase autophagy, and improve redox potential and mitochondrial health.
Chronic Illness and the Breakdown of Mitochondrial Defense
With regard to chronic infection and chronic disease, bacteria, and parasites thrive in bodies that have compromised mitochondrial function, and decreased numbers and quality of Redox Signaling Molecules..
Conclusion
The Future of Health Lies in Redox Signaling
Redox signaling molecules (RSMs) are chemically reactive species that play a crucial role in cellular communication and regulation. They include reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which are produced in the body as by-products of normal metabolic processes.
These molecules help regulate various physiological processes, including immune responses, cell growth, and adaptation to stress. They act as signaling molecules that can influence gene expression and activate pathways like the NRF2 pathway, which is involved in cellular defense mechanisms. In essence, redox signaling molecules are key to maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to environmental changes, making them vital for health and disease management.
The idea of redox signaling molecules as a health supplement has been historically controversial. While there’s a solid scientific foundation for the role of Redox Signaling Molecules in regulation of various physiological processes, including immune responses, cell growth, and adaptation to stress. They act as signaling molecules that can influence gene expression and activate pathways like the NRF2 pathway, which is involved in cellular defense mechanisms. In essence, redox signaling molecules are key to maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to environmental changes, making them vital for health and disease management.
Yes, the concept of replenishing redox signaling molecules is something that certain products and therapies claim to do. The idea is to supplement, or restore, the body’s natural balance of the Redox Signaling Molecules to enhance cellular function and improve health. ASEA, with 7 patents and many intellectual property trade secrets, is the only company that produces a solution containing stabilized redox signaling molecules. ASEA supplementation helps support cellular health, boost antioxidant defenses, and promote overall wellness. The scientific community is continually evaluating the efficacy and mechanisms behind supplementation with ASEA. There is promising research on redox biology, with tens of thousands of peer-reviewed articles available when one searches on PubMed.gov. The effectiveness of external supplementation is an area of ongoing study in laboratories across the globe.
The idea of redox signaling molecules as a health supplement is, in some circles, controversial. While there’s a solid scientific foundation for the role of these molecules in cellular processes, the efficacy of consuming them in a supplement form is debated among scientists and medical professionals.
Proponents argue that these supplements can help improve cellular health, boost the immune system, and promote overall wellness. Critics, however, caution that there is limited peer-reviewed evidence supporting these claims, and more rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish their effectiveness and safety.
In short, while the biological principles are sound, the commercial claims about redox signaling molecule supplements are still viewed skeptically by many in the scientific community.
The concept of redox signaling molecules as a health supplement is controversial. While there’s a solid scientific foundation for the role of these molecules in cellular processes, the efficacy of consuming them in a supplement form is still debated among some scientists and medical professionals. Proponents argue that these supplements can help improve cellular health, boost the immune system, and promote overall wellness. Critics, however, caution that there is limited peer-reviewed evidence supporting these claims, and more rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish their effectiveness and safety. In short, while the biological principles are sound, the commercial claims about redox signaling molecule supplements are still viewed skeptically by a percentage of people in the scientific community.
We’re a wellness company founded on—and fueled by—human potential. Based in Utah and spanning worldwide, ASEA is a pioneering leader in cellular health. ASEA is the first to bring to market revolutionary redox signaling molecules, helping your cells work together as they’re meant to do. ASEA prides itself on strengthening people, one product and one possibility at a time.
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