Free radicals and reactive oxygen species are a double-edged sword; they play a dual role as both toxic and beneficial compounds in the body and, depending on the levels and situation, can be either harmful or helpful.
But free radical production isn’t something we can just turn on or turn off. They’re produced as a byproduct of normal cellular metabolism, as well as from external sources like environmental pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, and medication.
But when free radicals levels become excessive, and the body can’t destroy or neutralize them, their accumulation generates a phenomenon called oxidative stress, which plays a major role in the development of various chronic and degenerative diseases like cancer, autoimmune (AI) disorders, premature aging, ocular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
However, the good news is that the body naturally has several mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress, including antioxidants produced either endogenously or supplemented through diet. When we think about supplements for immune support, a few generally come to the forefront: Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and maybe a few herbs like echinacea and medicinal mushrooms. But one thing we rarely hear about for maintaining healthy immune responses is antioxidants
If you’re not familiar with the world of antioxidants, we’re talking about two of the most powerful ones—glutathione and astaxanthin—and their roles in supporting immune function. We’re covering what they are, their roles in the body, and which ones take the reins for the best immune-supporter.
Key Ingredients:
HARTHIONE PLUS is a combination of the novel antioxidant Astaxanthin, and the important detoxifier, glutathione, to form an antioxidant blend to prevent diseases and premature aging. Get your antioxidants right! Be protected, be beautiful!
Contains 2 natural antioxidants: Astaxanthin and Glutathione
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- Protection of body cells and organs from free radical damage
- Promotes detoxification
- Regulates the immune system
- Maintains healthy skin
Astaxanthin Benefits:
Astaxanthin ONE interesting FACT is that some research suggests that its antioxidant capacity may be up to 10-times more powerful than zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta-carotene, and up to 100-times more powerful than vitamin E .
As for its role in immune function, astaxanthin has been shown to have three important roles :
- Modulating immune responses
- Inhibiting cancer cell growth
- Reducing bacterial load and gastric inflammation
This effect might protect cells from damage.
Astaxanthin is a lipid-soluble carotenoid found in a variety of aquatic organisms. Prolonged astaxanthin supplementation has been reported to increase fat oxidative capacity and improve running time to exhaustion in mice. These data suggest that astaxanthin may be applied as a potent ergogenic aid in humans.
Glutathione Benefits:
- Neutralizing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS)
- Serving as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes
- Regenerating other antioxidants (vitamin C and E)
- Removing toxins and heavy metals from cells and the brain
- Regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis
- Supporting mitochondrial function
- Maintaining mitochondrial DNA
As for its role in the immune system, aside from protecting cells from free radical damage, it also protects the immune system in two key ways :
- Supports proper function of the T-cell lymphocytes to enable frontline soldiers of the immune system to increase in numbers
- Stimulates production and activation of natural killer (NK) cells
It’s also been shown to have a pivotal role in establishing innate immune responses to viruses, possibly acting as a signaling molecule with a mechanism different from simply scavenging reactive oxygen species .