Health & Medical Nutrition

Redox Signaling

Redox Signaling refers to the procedure in which reactive oxygen species, free radicals and other electronically activated radicals act as messengers in the biological system. It's basically the process that displays how cells in our body respond to oxidants and free radicals. Redox signaling is a consistent and vital process, through which human cells communicate with each other and carry out important body functions.

Redox Signaling Molecules - What are they?

There are 2 kinds of Signaling molecules - "activator" and "communicator". These 2 play the role of messengers and are responsible for the communication between cells throughout our body. Also called Signaling molecules, they trigger the body's antioxidant compounds - Glutathione, Catalase and SOD.

In simpler terms, Redox signaling molecules are elements that are produced naturally within each cell of the body. When the cells are necessary to perform many functions, they generate two kinds of signaling molecules.

The initial set of "activator" molecules set off the antioxidants stored in the body. Antioxidants are extremely effective in fighting off the impairment caused by free radicals and oxidative stress; on the other hand they can't function unless activated by the signaling molecules. Hence you require the Redox signaling 'activator' molecules to make the antioxidants to work.

The second set of "communicator" molecules is accountable for enabling proper communication between the cells of the body, making sure optimum performance of the immune system and safeguarding the body against external stimuli such as harmful bacteria, viruses etc. The millions of cells in our body are in a position to properly function and communicate because of the Redox signaling molecules.

Why is Redox signaling so important?

Both the external and internal factors such as toxic chemicals, stress bacterial infections, poor nutrition etc affect our health in an undesirable way. This causes considerable cellular damage and a reduction in Redox signaling molecules. With out an enough supply of Redox signaling molecules the antioxidants and immune system are unable to function effectively, leading to a vast range of health ailments.

Scientists and researchers worldwide have been conducting several researches on the Redox signaling molecules to find out more about their structure, effect and function with respect to human health. Let's take a look at many of the popular studies on this subject:

White, Blue-eyed Cats are Deaf

Charles Darwin, the father of evolution had stated "white cats with blue eyes are almost deaf". He proposed that developmental issues with the nervous system might be the cause of deafness in the white, blue-eyed cats. But scientists think it has something to do with the Redox signaling process, as Central nervous system development is a messenger-mediated procedure and so is the melanin synthesis.

Hence an imbalance in the Redox signaling process leads to improper melanin synthesis (giving the cat its white color) and results in defective intra-cellular communication (causing hearing impairment).

Research by Hoffer and Osmond

The very first instance of Redox processes being engaged in cell signaling was given by Hoffer and Osmond. According to the Adrenochrome hypothesis, "psychoactive oxidative items of catecholamines (adrenochromes) play a role in schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric diseases". While the proposed hypothesis still continues to be in question, the fact that messenger-mediated oxidative stress can lead to neuropsychiatric conditions, has been proven correct.

Role of Active Oxygen Species in Ocular and Neurological Diseases

According to a study byP. H. Proctor, D.S Kirpatrick, J.E. McGinness, L.A Morehead, J.G. Hilton, & J.A. Hokanson on the function of active oxygen species in neurological disorders, "Electronically activated oxygen molecules such as peroxide or superoxide are identified to be the substantial factors responsible for certain disorders of the eye and nervous system. For instance, a person with high levels of homocysteine or copper often shows four characteristic signs - psychotic behavior, movement disorders, pigmentary abnormalities and deafness. Both copper and homocysteine act as catalysts in the creation of reactive oxygen molecules, and the above mentioned abnormalities can be a result of the Redox signaling process brought on by these reactive molecules."

This theory suggests that active oxygen species act as specific intermediary transmitters for a variety of biological processes including inflammation and fibrosis.

Aging is as well attributed to this kind of free radical damage. The cells are not completely destroyed, but become less efficient. Too numerous oxidative molecules present in the skin and blood cells causes damage and aging. Incorrect balance of Redox signaling molecules triggers the immune system to attack healthy cells, which divide and further spread the damage.

In Conclusion:

Cells are destroyed by factors like environmental pollution, sunlight, chemicals, toxins infections and other irritants. Damaged cells build up free radicals or oxidants. As a component of the Redox signaling process, the activator molecules set off the antioxidants that neutralize the free radicals and sustain a balance of oxidative molecules in the body. Additionally the signaling molecules ensure that the immune system and cellular communication is functioning at optimum levels.

An absence of Redox signaling molecules disrupts this entire process - the balance of activated oxygen molecules is ruined, resulting in cellular damage and other health ailments.

Redox signaling is a widespread and important process governing important cellular activities, and there is an urgent need for new methods of research to evaluate the role of Redox molecules at the molecular and cellular level. With more products that can restore the stability of Redox molecules in the body, we would have answers and solutions for a wide variety of neurological and physical ailments. ASEA is one of those products. It's actually the only perfectly balanced mixture of stabilized Redox Signaling molecules that exists outside the body.


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