CELLS are the basis of all life,

and so keeping them healthy is crucial to slowing down the ageing process.

You might not think that you have much in common with an amoeba, but actually, you’d be surprised. Why? Because just like a single-celled organism, we too are the basis of all life, relying on their correct function and wellbeing to ensure longevity and freedom from disease. In other words, healthy cells are the key to anti-ageing!

All the tissues in our body- whether bone, blood, skin, nerves or muscle – are made up of cells and these are constantly damaged, lost or destroyed in the course of daily life. This body is prepared for this and has evolved a process of cell renewal, so that overall, the tissue remains healthy and in good working order, thus keeping us alive. Of course, over time, and particularly when leading unhealthy lifestyles, this tissues are not able to renew themselves fast enough to keep up with the damage. This results in ageing and disease – which ultimately leads to death.

While cell renewal is a popular phrase with commercial skincare manufacturers, cells do not actually renew themselves. They rather divide to produce new cells, which replace them and carry on their work. This is guided by a set of instructions [i.e. the DNA located in the chromosomes] and facilitated by various special proteins, called enzymes, which assemble the materials needed for the replication process. Any damage to the DNA or the enzymes disrupts the replication process and prevent new cells from being produced.

Furthermore, cells cannot replicate indefinitely. Most have a limited number of cycles before they self-destruct. This number of cycles is determined by a set of genes called telomeres, which are located at the tips of chromosomes. Telomeres get shorter each time the cell replicates, until they are so short that the cell can no longer divide. Therefore, any damage that increases telomere shortening will also reduce a cell’s lifespan and its ability to produce new cells.

As the result of both these processes, more and more old, damaged or dead cells accumulate, with no new cells to take their place, so the tissue deteriorates and ageing occurs. This is perhaps seen most clearly in the skin, where dead or damaged cells that have lost their ability to produce collagen and elastin, and to heal themselves, result in wrinkles, age spots and skin cancers.

All cells are susceptible to damage, but certain cells – such as those in the gastrointestinal tract, skin and lungs – are particularly prone, as they have a high turnover and therefore shorter cycles of cell renewal. It takes less time for these cells to reach their limit, plus the constant replication activity means that they are more susceptible to attack. Other cells that are vulnerable are those in the brain and heart, as they do not regenerate – what you are born with has to last you your lifetime. In other words, if these cells are damaged they cannot be replaced.

What is it that damages cells in the first place, though: that inhibits the process of cell renewal and ultimately causes ageing? Several theories abound, but one of the most widely accepted is the free-radical theory of ageing, conceived by Dr. D Harman, MD. PhD, in the 1950’s. Supported by a wealth of experimental evidence since then, this theory believes that ageing is caused by damage to proteins, lipids and genetic material [DNA] at a cellular level, which in turn affects tissue and organ function, and results in increased susceptibility to disease. In fact, heart disease – long thought to be directly due to a diet of high cholesterol and “bad fats” is now believed to be really caused by free radicals and the damage they do to the cells of the arteries, as well as the way they modify low-density lipoproteins LDL [bad cholesterol], so that calcification occurs and vessel-blocking plaques are formed.

As highly reactive molecules, free radicals attack cells and their components through a process called oxidative stress, Mecocci, Petal [1999] examined muscle biopsy specimens from humans aged 25 to 93 years, and these showed a strong connection between oxidative damage and ageing. Oxidative stress on the unsaturated lipids that make up cell membranes causes hardening, and this prevents nutrients from entering, thereby effectively starving the cell. More crucially, however, free radicals cause extensive DNA damage, which affects cell function and renewal, and even produces dangerous mutations. A 2002 study in Trends in Biochemical Sciences showed that higher levels of oxidative stress from free radicals increased the rate of telomere shortening, thus limiting the number of cell cycles and shortening the lifespan of a cell. Free radical damage within cells has been linked to a range of disorders including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.

Furthermore, research has shown that free radicals activate inflammatory proteins, such as C-reactive protein [CRP] leading to chronic inflammation, which scientists now believe to be a significant factor in the ageing process. A major study in the New England Journal of Medicine [Ridker PM 2000] showed that people with elevated levels of CRP were four and a half times more likely than those with normal CRP to have a heart attack.

So where do these dangerous atoms come from? Free radicals are the natural by-products when cells convert food into energy – the exhaust fumes, if you like, of the cell’s engine – which means it is impossible for our cells to avoid exposure to them. However, free radicals are also created by external sources such as environmental pollution, radiation, heavy metals, cigarette smoke, alcohol, drugs, chemicals and stress – and prolonged exposure to these additional sources increases the oxidative stress on our already beleaguered cells.

Anything you can do to limit or reduce exposure to these external free radicals will help preserve your cells. Wear sunscreen – at least SPF15 – whenever you are out and about: avoid cigarettes: be aware of chemicals and pollutants, especially heavy metals such as lead, which can multiply free radical chain reactions a thousand-fold: and develop good coping skills for stress. It is also a good idea to maintain strong relationships – a study at the UCLA School of Medicine showed that people with social connections may have stronger disease-fighting immune systems. Keeping a healthy weight is very important – research has shown that caloric restriction is the most effective in combating free radical damage and slowing the ageing process. Exercise, too is crucial: after the age of 30, we lose one third of a pound of muscle per year and as our muscles act as a reservoir of proteins needed for the immune system, this drastically depletes our store of natural killer [NK] cells. Weight-bearing exercise will also prevent osteoporosis and brittle bones, a common symptom of ageing.

However, aside from avoiding free radicals, we can also actively fight them. Our bodies have evolved a line of defense in the form of antioxidants which “mop up” free radicals and neutralize their activity. Some of the best known are Vitamins C & E, vitamin A, carotenoids, alpha lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10. One of the strongest and purest antioxidants is Squalene. Squalene is an Isoprenoid – an ancient biochemical that made it possible for archaic bacteria to flourish when our planet wan an inhospitable, unrecognizable place. Life began here on surfaces hot enough to boil water, with a virtual absence of atmospheric oxygen and no ozone layer to filter out the fierce ultraviolet radiation of the sun. In fact Earth’s surface looked more like Mars. Under the protection of this lowly molecule, ancient bacteria proliferated, transforming the atmosphere so that green plants could emerge and harness the sun’s energy. They too depended on Isoprenoids to avoid being burned to a crisp in the process. Plant life in turn transformed the atmosphere into an oxygen-rich soup that made oxygen respiration possible – yet another reaction in which Squalene protects living tissue from oxyradicals. Then something extraordinary happened – and has been happening ever since – the linear Squalene curled up and provided the basis for the sterol nucleus of cholesterol, without which the modern animal cell would be unthinkable. This biochemical reaction, still not fully explained, remains “the most complex single-step reaction in the biological world”. Among other things, it enabled our forefathers to shed their furry outer coats and expose their naked skin to the sun’s rays without being destroyed by UV radiation. It has been noticed that by taking Squalene regularly our skin suffers less from burning under the sun’s harsh rays. Today, Squalene protects the biomembrane of cells and the myriad organelles within from oxidative stress. It helps the cholesterol metabolism maintain order and keep levels of harmful LDL-cholesterol to a minimum. Most importantly, it contributes to the cell-renewal cycle and keeps cancer at bay. The Olive tree is a rich source of Squalene which leads to the theory that the Mediterranean peoples tend to suffer considerably less than others from heart disease and certain cancers. Many Mediterranean cultures believe that olive oil increases strength and longevity: it is the Squalene content that gives the oil these properties. Another prolific source of Squalene is obtained from the liver oils of the Shark. Squalene was first found in the human body in the 1950’s when the cholesterol metabolism was first identified. Squalene a strong Isoprenoid of six simple isoprene units which plays an important role in the isoprenylation process. Isoprenoids also play a part in the regulation of apoptosis [programmed cell death]. Some Isoprenoids – notably Squalene – are also strong antioxidants. Squalene has been found abundantly in the human skin, the membranous lining of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and in adipose tissue.

We all know we should eat our greens but perhaps we don’t realise just how much they help us at a cellular level.

If you want to enjoy a long, healthy life, it’s time to go back to basics. Think about your cells. Help them fight the free radicals that are destroying them by eating a diet rich in antioxidants and living a healthy lifestyle. By taking a regular intake of Issho Genki Squalene you will be helping your cells help you live longer and healthier.

Samedawa Day Spa & Spirits of Natural Health are the sole appointed importers & distributors for Olivane Squalene Serum.

Olivane Squalene Serum is manufactured to the highest quality and is 100% pure Olive Squalene & fragranced with pure Rose essence from Grasse, France

Olivane Squalene Serum $160 50mls – the elixir of Olive Squalene may also be purchased from the Samedawa Day Spa, Paradise Resort, 122 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise – email carrington@naturalhealth.net.au

Phone 0411 277 850 or place your order on http://www.naturalhealth.net.au/ or http://www.squalene.net.au/