Antioxidant Vitamins C & E Protect from EMF Induced Oxidative Stress

Antioxidant Vitamins C & E Protect from EMF Induced Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress from free radical production in the body is a pervasive issue that can significantly impact our lives and our health, and potentially cause or contribute to degenerative disease, especially in modern times.

Through our normal metabolic processes (the conversion of food into energy through oxygen), our bodies naturally produce a small but consistent amount of free radicals as a byproduct.  Our immune system also creates free radicals intentionally to destroy harmful elements that have invaded the body, such as viruses and bacteria, by oxidizing their cell membranes.  Free radicals are essential to cell signaling and wound healing, as well as degrading and recycling damaged cells.  In the right amounts and applied in the right situations, free radicals serve a vitally important function in maintaining the health and survival of the body.  The danger lies in the excessive amounts triggered by the many modern sources of toxic exposure, which overwhelm the body's antioxidant defense system, leaving us vulnerable to chronic illness.

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons in their outer electron shell, making them unstable and prompting them to ‘steal’ electrons from nearby molecules to stabilize themselves, which causes oxidative stress.  If there are not enough molecules in the area with extra electrons and the ability to donate them to subdue the unstable free radicals, they will grab electrons from the membranes of healthy cells, creating a vulnerability and damaging the cell.

Types of free radicals include reactive oxygen species (ROS) like superoxide, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide; and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) like nitric oxide.  These can even combine to produce more highly reactive and harmful substances, such as peroxynitrite, which is created when nitric oxide interacts with superoxide.

Molecules in the body that effectively neutralize free radicals by donating or receiving an electron to protect the body from the harmful effects of oxidative stress are called antioxidants.

Antioxidants are defined as substances with the ability to donate or receive electrons to stabilize free radicals, without becoming destabilized themselves.  Some types of antioxidants are endogenous, meaning they are produced from within the body.  These include glutathione, melatonin, catalase, and superoxide dismutase.  Endogenous antioxidants are the body’s internal defense against being harmed by the chain reaction of free radicals, which would otherwise proliferate unchecked, causing significant cell damage and cell death.

Additionally, many antioxidants come from dietary sources, including some that are considered essential nutrients.  These include vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, magnesium, zinc, beta carotene, folic acid/folate, and various flavonoids and polyphenols, including lycopene, quercetin and catechins.  Some of these (including vitamins C and E) act as antioxidants on their own, while others support the enzymes involved in the body’s antioxidant system.  Selenium is an essential component of the enzymes that produce glutathione peroxidase, while magnesium is necessary for the activation of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Some of the most important and biologically active dietary antioxidants are vitamin C and vitamin E. They work together synergistically, as they function in different areas of the body, together scavenging free radicals throughout the entirety of the organism.

Vitamin E is fat soluble, and protects the lipids of the cell membranes from oxidation.  Cell membranes are rich in polyunsatured fatty acids (PUFAs), which are highly susceptible to oxidative damage.  This process of lipid peroxidation is prevented by adequate vitamin E levels in the body, which is especially important in areas with a high fat content, like the brain, nervous system, heart, lungs and skin.

Vitamin C is water soluble, so it works in the watery parts of the body, including the bloodstream and the cytosol, the fluid portion of the cell between its outer membrane and nucleus/core.  It is particularly important for optimal immune system function, as well as wound healing, collagen production, and utilizing iron from plant foods.

After vitamin E has donated an electron to neutralize a free radical, it then becomes oxidized itself.  The oxidized form of vitamin E is called tocopheryl radical.  However, unlike free radical molecules, vitamin E remains relatively stable in its oxidized form.  The only problem is it’s no longer useful as an antioxidant.

This is where vitamin C comes in. Vitamin C has the ability to regenerate oxidized vitamin E back into its active form, so it can continue its protective role in lipid-rich environments.  Vitamin C will then become oxidized by donating an electron to regenerate vitamin E (oxidized vitamin C is called dehydroascorbate), but it’s easily regenerated back into its active form by endogenous processes, usually involving glutathione.

This a powerfully synergistic combination that can significantly assist the body in defending itself from excess oxidative stress and the harm it can cause to our overall health.

The overall process of transferring electrons between substances, which changes their oxidation state, is called the redox reaction (short for reduction-oxidation). A substance that donates electrons (such as an antioxidant) is called the reducing agent, and a substance that accepts electrons is called the oxidizing agent (such as a free radical when interacting with an antioxidant).

A perfect example of a redox reaction is how hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce water (H2O).  Two hydrogen molecules each donate their sole electrons to one oxygen molecule, which contains six electrons in its outer shell and readily seeks two more to fill all eight spaces available in its electron shell, which is its most stable form.  In this example, hydrogen is the reducing agent (the electron donor) and oxygen is the oxidizing agent (the receiver).

The inherent instability of the oxygen molecule explains why oxygen so frequently and easily turns into water, and it also explains why the oxygen molecule itself can act as a free radical in the body, if antioxidant levels are insufficient.  Excess oxygen in the body, beyond what is needed for cellular energy production, is converted into H2O by our internal antioxidant defense system.

Without antioxidants, free radicals create a path of destruction by stealing an electron, which creates a new free radical that finds another electron to steal, resulting in a chain reaction that can wreak havoc on the healthy cells of the body.  As soon as an antioxidant like vitamin E neutralizes one free radical in the chain, the whole process of destruction grinds to a halt.

Oxidative stress occurs if the antioxidant defense system is unable to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals, which can happen if free radical levels in the body exceed the capabilities of the antioxidants we have available.  If our diet is deficient in antioxidant sources, we are more susceptible to damage from oxidative stress, as our antioxidant defense system won’t be as fully equipped.

 

The health risks of oxidative stress, and the many modern exposure sources

Since excessive oxidative stress damages cells, proteins, and even DNA itself, the potential harm affects every system of the body, and can contribute to various diseases and conditions.  It affects the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attacks and strokes.

Free radicals can cause DNA mutations and DNA damage, which may lead to cancer development.  They damage neurons and promote the formation of amyloid plaque, implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Free radicals contribute to diabetes by impairing insulin signaling pathways, and exacerbating complications of the disease, like neuropathy.  Oxidative stress can cause chronic inflammation through the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, which can result in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Oxidative stress also accelerates the aging process and overall health decline, impairs the immune system, and can cause eye disorders like macular degeneration and cataracts.

Why is oxidative stress far more of a health concern in modern times than it was for our ancestors?

It relates to the cumulative effect of the numerous exposure sources we are faced with today.

Air pollution triggers the production of free radicals in the lungs and bloodstream.  Long-term exposure from living in polluted, population dense urban areas can contribute to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems and even cancer.  This includes excessive smoke inhalation from cigarettes and other sources.  Excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun exposure can cause oxidative damage to skin cells.  Chemical exposure (including pesticides, heavy metals and industrial pollutants, all of which are invisible and pervasive) generates oxidative stress that causes cell and tissue damage and chronic disease.

Unhealthy diets that contain a lot of processed food, additives, preservatives and alcohol, especially combined with a poor intake of fruits, vegetables and herbs (which are dietary antioxidant sources), can cause oxidative stress.

Excessive stress beyond what the body can recover from, whether it’s physical, mental or emotional, can increase cortisol, which produces oxidative stress.

Another well known source of oxidative stress is radiation exposure.  Typically this refers to ionizing radiation, which vibrates at a high enough frequency to instantly knock electrons out of atoms, creating unstable free radicals.  Ionizing radiation sources include x-rays, medical imaging, industrial accidents and environmental contamination.

There is an increasingly large body of science that also links non-ionizing radiation with free radical production and oxidative stress-related harmful health effects.  Previously, people believed that since electromagnetic frequencies under the threshold of ‘ionizing’ are not strong enough to instantly dislodge an electron from an atom, that they must have no health effects.  Science has overwhelmingly convinced us otherwise, and shown us that the effects may take a little longer, but that this form of radiation is equally dangerous because of our constant exposure to it.

In the past decade, the primary mechanism believed to cause the health effects of EMFs involves the voltage-gated ion channels of cells (calcium, potassium, sodium and chloride), particularly the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs).  Basically, excessive or inappropriate activation of the VGCCs, which are highly electrically sensitive (readily responding to external EMFs as well as our internal electrochemical signaling), creates a cascade of damaging effects.  Excessive calcium signaling on its own results in pathophysiological effects of various kinds, but what also occurs is an overproduction of nitric oxide and superoxide (both free radicals), which combine to produce a highly toxic and reactive free radical called peroxynitrite.  This research was spearheaded by Dr. Martin Pall, who has been compiling this groundbreaking information since around 2016.

Dr. Pall also established the role of the VGCCs in the therapeutic effects of specific EMFs, dependent on the frequency, intensity and duration of exposure.  EMFs found to have beneficial effects trigger a different part of the VGCC pathway called the nitric oxide signaling pathway, with a downstream effect of activating Nrf2, resulting in hormetic, therapeutic effects.

Here is a summary of several studies that not only implicate electromagnetic field exposure with free radical production and oxidative stress, but demonstrate the protective effects of vitamin C and E supplementation in neutralizing the harm.  Most of these were done using cell phone frequencies, to study one of the most common EMF exposure sources in the daily lives of modern humans.

 

Studies demonstrating oxidative stress from EMF exposure, and protection from vitamins C & E

A study review from Turkey in 2017 assessed several studies showing that exposure to EMF results in oxidative stress in many tissues in the body, increases free radical production, and impacts the antioxidant defense system of the body.  Reported findings from these studies include stress, headache, tiredness, anxiety, decreased learning potential, impairment in cognitive functions and poor concentration as a result of exposure to microwave radiation emitted from cell phones.

The review elaborates on how non-ionizing radiation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is extremely toxic to cell membranes.  It describes the antioxidant defense system of the body and all of its components, and how EMF exposure compromises this defense system.

It points out that the brain has a high metabolic rate, making it more prone to oxidative damage compared to other organs, since our metabolic processes themselves produce oxidative stress. We know from many studies that the brain and nervous system are particularly affected by EMFs.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a highly reactive compound that results from lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is used as a marker of lipid oxidative damage, and is the final product of the lipid peroxidation process.  Vitamin E is the most important antioxidant which inhibits the LPO process.  One of the reviewed studies reported that 50-day exposure to EMF causes oxidative stress by increasing MDA levels and reducing SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity, and observed that treatment with vitamin E prevented oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.  Several other studies corroborated the finding that exposure to EMF led to oxidative stress by reducing SOD activity, and reported that treatment with vitamin E prevents lipid peroxidation.

The review paper advises the use of various antioxidants such as vitamin E, melatonin and folic acid to reduce the adverse effects of EMF exposure.

In the study that did the 50-day exposure, the rats in the experimental group were exposed to EMF for 4 hours per day, and the second experimental group was exposed to the same EMFs but with vitamin E supplementation of 200 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

Note that this particular dosage would be difficult or impractical to replicate for a human – the same dosage for a 150 pound human would equal 13,600 milligrams of vitamin E per day!  A similar dosage was used in a 2013 study on rats, but this time using vitamin C.  They found excellent protective effects from vitamin C, compared to the EMF-only group, but once again, this would be impractical to replicate in humans on a daily basis.

A 60-day study from 2019 that tested the effects of vitamin E supplementation on rats exposed to cell phone radiation, and observed before and after health markers in their testes, was another story.  The dosage used was quite low (1.35 mg per kilo of body weight), and would be easy to replicate with the normal recommended daily dosages of vitamin E.  These rats were exposed to cell phones ringing continuously for 120 minutes per day, and the vitamin E was only given 3 times per week, two hours before exposure to the EMFs.  It was found that vitamin E protected sperm from oxidative damage, and enhanced sperm motility and performance.

Another study from 2012 on rats also used reasonable dosages. One group was exposed to EMFs without supplementation, the second group exposed to EMFs along with vitamin C (40 mg per kilo of body weight per day), and the third group exposed to EMFs along with vitamin E (2.7 mg/kg/day).  This one also tested sperm quality, and both of the groups that were supplemented with the two different antioxidant vitamins were in much better shape than the EMF-only group.

These studies that found good results at lower dosages may indicate that even though the dosages used in the other studies mentioned are quite high, that this high amount may not be necessary to achieve optimal results.  Since both vitamins are considered safe to consume at much higher levels than the recommended daily allowance, best results may be achieved by finding a happy medium between the low and high doses used in these studies.


How effective are antioxidants like vitamin C & E for EMF protection?

The studies listed above give a convincing argument that antioxidant nutrients, including the essential vitamins C and E, may be a powerful addition to your EMF protection strategy.  Do we want to rely on them as our only form of EMF protection?  In our opinion, no, we shouldn’t.

One reason is because of the dosage inconsistencies in these studies.  Some studies used extremely high dosages, and although these dosages are likely safe, it would be impractical and expensive to maintain this level of consumption as a daily routine.  We could assume that the lower levels used in some studies are adequate, but if we want to be very thorough in protecting our bodies from EMFs, it’s best to do whatever we can to reduce the harm as much as possible.

Another reason is that EMFs are not our only source of oxidative stress.  We are also exposed to air pollution, chemicals, carcinogenic food byproducts and additives, stress, and possibly excessive sunlight, cigarette smoke and ionizing radiation.  All of these exposure sources have to be neutralized by the antioxidants available in our body, lowering the total amount and leaving less available antioxidants dedicated to neutralizing EMF effects.

What we believe to be the most sensible strategy is to minimize your EMF exposure as much as possible or practical, then to use an effective, clinically tested EMF protection device, like our Blushield home and portable units, as the foundation of your protection for the exposure sources you cannot control or eliminate.  Blushield prevents oxidative stress from EMFs by creating a biologically coherent field that your body preferentially entrains with, which stops the body from attempting to “attack” the invisible, intangible EMFs 24/7.  This constant attack exhausts the immune system’s energy reserves, and the excessive cytokine production from the immune activation directly produces free radicals.

While antioxidants can neutralize free radicals that have already been produced and begun to damage the body, entraining with a beneficial field can prevent free radical production before it even starts.

Where we really see antioxidants like vitamin C and E shining, when it comes to their role in EMF protection, is as an extra protection strategy – the icing on the cake!

Blushield devices come with various field strengths, depending on the model, and the one you choose should depend on your overall EMF exposure levels.  Since nothing in nature is 100% efficient, there will likely always be a little bit of EMF that gets through and affects you anyway, even if you have the ideal strength Blushield for your needs.  If you have plenty of antioxidants in your daily diet, and regularly supplement with vitamins C and E, this little bit of exposure that’s still affecting you can be mitigated by these antioxidants, rounding out your EMF protection strategy.

Another use for vitamins C and E is to assist highly sensitive folks, those with hyper-reactive bodies or chronic illness, in acclimating to the Blushield field.  These people can sometimes take longer to adapt to the protective field, because their bodies are more guarded and resistant to change – and very understandably so, being burdened by trauma and illness for so long.  Nutritional reinforcement of just the right kind could make all the difference.

When it comes to nutrient sources, there’s no replacement for getting these vitamins in their natural form, from the foods you eat.  Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and raw nuts and seeds (cooking destroys vitamins C and E) will give you an excellent baseline of essential nutrients, polyphenols and flavonoids.  Since our world is not ideal, and most food is deficient in nutrients to some extent, it is also sensible to supplement strategically.

You can take food-based supplements, like concentrates of vitamin C and E rich powders, which are highly bioavailable.  You can also use concentrated synthetic forms for a more therapeutic effect, especially if you’re already deficient, or wanting to target sources of oxidative stress in your life, including EMFs.

Here are some of our favorite sources of vitamin C and E.  If you feel called to add more of these two powerhouse nutrients into your life, pick the options that resonate with you most!

To save 15% on any of the products listed below, use coupon code EMF at checkout.

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Rice Sprouts Powder by Shen Blossom – a delicious, creamy whole food powder you can add to your food, for a big burst of flavor and nutrition.  Not only does it provide the full spectrum of vitamin E complexes, but it contains all the B vitamins, all essential amino acids, CoQ10, folic acid (also protective against oxidative stress), silica, GABA, and a variety of other polyphenols, vitamins and minerals.

Potent-C by Shen Blossom – our favorite “whole food vitamin C” product, which combines collagen-producing peptides derived from fermented seaweed with potent sources of vitamin C from high quality food concentrates.  The vitamin C sources are incredibly unique, from traditional Japanese cultivated and wild harvested foods and herbs, including umeboshi plum, Japanese gooseberry, Shishito pepper, Japanese wood sorrel and watercress.

PUFA Protect Vitamin E by Mitolife – a high quality and clean mixed tocopherol formula derived from sunflower oil, with no fillers.  Contains d-alpha tocopherol (the type used in most studies), but also plenty of gamma, delta and beta tocopherols, for a healthier and more balanced effect.  This product is excellent for rapidly replenishing your vitamin E stores, detoxing excess polyunsaturated fatty acids from your tissues, and acting as a potent shield against oxidative stress.

Vitamin-C with Polyphenols by Mitolife – an excellent clean source of ascorbic acid, the concentrated synthetic form of vitamin C, for a more targeted, therapeutic effect.  It includes berry polyphenols for enhanced benefits, and is non-GMO.

   

 

 

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