St George
Naturopathic Clinic
Natural health solutions for the entire family
Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Weight loss, Massage Therapy
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Natural health solutions for the entire family Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Weight loss, Massage Therapy ___________________________________________________________________ |
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FREE Naturopathic Introductory Consultation More information on specific conditions: NEW ... Ultra Lite 3 Week Detox & Weight Loss ~Anti-ageing ~Cardiovascular ~Dementia ~Detoxification ~Diet Secrets ~Digestive disorders ~Massage Therapy ~Metabolic syndrome ~Pregnancy care ~Preconception care ~Spiritual health ~Sports performance ~SyndromeX ~Weight Loss
Disclaimer: None of the information on this web site is intended to replace any medical advice or any other professional advice, nor is it intended to replace any prescribed medication. It is dangerous to self-prescribe, so if you have any health problems, see your doctor, qualified naturopath or other qualified health professional. |
Anti-ageing ... are Antioxidants the Answer to Reversing the Ageing Process? A focus on OPC's According to the "free radical" theory of ageing, the major cause of ageing is the damage to cells caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are chemicals both produced in our body and found in our food that stop the damaging effect of free radicals. There is a multitude of medical research published on the benefits of antioxidants. What are free radicals? Free radicals are produced in the body as a by-product of the energy producing mechanism in our cells. The more we exercise the more free radicals we produce. Free radicals can also be brought into the body through the environment, especially in pollution such as smoke (especially cigarette smoke), ultra violet radiation (sunlight), food preservatives, and radiation sources such as mobile phones and x-rays. Free radicals are molecules that have lost an electron and become extremely reactive. They steal an electron from part of the cell, damaging it, causing it to become a free radical, setting off a chain reaction. Such damage to the DNA is thought to be a major cause of many cancers. Damage to other parts of cells can result in many of the degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis and heart disease, and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. What are anti-oxidants? Antioxidants have the unique ability to donate an electron to the free radical, without the antioxidant itself becoming a free radical. A small amount of some antioxidants are produced in the body, but it is essential that we also get them from out diet. Scurvy was common amongst sailors in centuries gone by, and it was discovered that scurvy is a result of a severe deficiency of vitamin C, easily remedied by the sailors eating a lime every day. In 1534, the French Explorer Jacques Cartier and his crew became ice bound in the St Lawrence River. The men ate a diet of salted meat and hard biscuits, and they began to die from scurvy. Fortunately, they met with a Native American who showed them how to make a tea drink from the bark of the Maritime Pine tree, and they survived the winter. What are OPC's? In 1900 it was discovered that the bark of the Maritime Pine contains a high amount of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC's). It has since been discovered that OPC's are much stronger antioxidants than vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, lipoic acid, and the associated minerals selenium and zinc, which of course are also required by the body, but have a limited effect on anti-ageing. OPC's are found in many vegetables, but are particularly high in the bark of the Maritime Pine tree, grape seeds, and red wine extract. Who should take OPC's Everyone who wants to slow down the ageing process, avoid degenerative disease and keep healthy. Especially if you exercise regularly (and regular exercise is definitely good for you), or are a smoker or come in contact with smokers. What are the benefits of OPC's? OPC's have been scientifically shown to have positive effects in the following:
Warning - too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Antioxidants need to be in balance. Too much of any one antioxidant may be harmful by increasing free radical activity. Seek professional advice before taking large doses of any supplement. If you are interested in reading more about OPC’s, I recommend you read a booklet entitled "OPCs Harvesting Nature's Anti-Aging Bounty" by Dr. Robert Goldman and Dr. Ronald Klatz. These doctors are leaders in the field of anti-ageing, and are founders of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Where can you get an OPC supplement? They are available in a number of anti-oxidant formula's. I can give you current information. Please note that OPC’s by themselves should not be considered a cure for any disease. You should always consult your naturopath or doctor for a guided treatment plan. Disclaimer: None of the information on this web site is intended to replace any medical advice or any other professional advice, nor is it intended to replace any prescribed medication. It is dangerous to self-prescribe, so if you have any health problems, see your doctor, qualified naturopath or other qualified health professional. |
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Peter Kelly ND, BHSc (Comp. Med.), DBM. Ring 9580 6708 for an appointment. 63 Moore Street Hurstville 2220
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