What does Oxidative Stress mean?
Oxidative Stress (OS) is a general term used to describe the steady state level of oxidative damage in a cell, tissue, or organ, caused by the reactive oxygen species (ROS). This damage can affect a specific molecule or the entire organism. Reactive oxygen species, such as free radicals and peroxides, represent a class of molecules that are derived from the metabolism of oxygen and exist inherently in all oxygen breathing organisms. There are many different sources by which the reactive oxygen species are generated. Most reactive oxygen species are exogenous -- they originate or grow within an organism or tissue as by-products of normal and essential metabolic reactions, such as energy generation from mitochondria or the detoxification reactions involving the liver cytochrome P-450 enzyme system. Exogenous sources include exposure to cigarette smoke, environmental pollutants such as emission from automobiles and industries, excessive alcohol consumption, asbestos, and exposure to ionizing radiation, bacterial, fungal or viral infections.
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are normal oxygen bearing units that wander off their intended paths of usefulness. They contain vital oxygen for the deepest tissue respiration. They are highly reactive chemicals that have unpaired electrons. This process is called oxidation. Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of living cells. Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism and sometimes the body's immune system's cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals. Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Free radicals can damage important cellular molecules such as DNA or lipids or other parts of the cell. Also, free radical damage accumulates with age.
What is an antioxidant?
An antioxidant is an ingredient to counteract oxidation and destroy, neutralize or re-direct free radicals (rogue oxygen molecules). They neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrients themselves don't become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form. Antioxidants act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease. They chemically react with free radicals to convert the rogue oxygen (reactive oxygen species) into water. Antioxidants are important agents in protecting the cells from oxidative damage caused by rogue oxygen free radicals that can lead to premature aging.
Why is Oraia anti-aging treatment serum so effective?
Oraia outperforms on many levels. It works to help reduce your skin's stress (a major factor in aging of the skin), and to provide proper nutrition, which stimulates collagen production and the growth of new healthy cells. The ingredients in Oraia work synergistically to address the specific needs of aging skin, by defeating what causes or contributes to skin aging. It also helps to reduce the signs of aging. There is no one "super star" ingredient in Oraia, instead it virtually overflows with powerful concentrations of many active ingredients.
What is the best antioxidant and why are there several in Oraia?
It is smart to have more than one or two antioxidants because some antioxidants are more effective against certain types of free radicals than others (just like some antibiotics work better against certain bacteria). Asking which antioxidant is best is like asking which antibiotic is best. It all depends on which type of free radical we're trying to neutralize. In Oraia we use several different antioxidants in order to increase our chances of having effective antioxidants at crucial attack points, because some antioxidants simply perform better than others for a specific condition. With Oraia you're assured to get full spectrum antioxidant protection, and having full spectrum protection guarantees that the most effective antioxidant(s) are always available. In the end, this is about aging, cancer and the many other consequences of oxygen on our bodies. Therefore, the more types of antioxidants, the better the product.
Why does Oraia far surpass other antioxidant treatment products containing Alpha Lipoic Acid, Kinetin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Idebenone and Co-enzyme Q10?
Oraia provides so much more than just antioxidant protection - it contains ingredients to provide all your skin needs to maintain or restore its healthy, youthful appearance. In addition to the full spectrum of antioxidants found in the formula, Oraia has high concentrations of anti-inflamatories, skin strengthening, healing, and skin perfecting ingredients. However, if we were to compare Oraia's antioxidants ingredients with the other antioxidant treatments mentioned, we would have to say that Oraia's complement of antioxidants far surpasses them all. Why? Because Oraia has a full spectrum of antioxidants, (not just one or two) and the combination of antioxidants are what is required to control the many different types and causes of free radical damage that result in aging skin.
Why are D-Quercetin, D-Boldine, and L-Superoxide Dismutase so effective as antioxidants?
D- Quercetin - is a naturally occurring flavonoid compound found in most plant tissues but particularly abundant in Evening Primrose, Mayapple, Onion and Green Tea. This Chirally Correct form has anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, anti-allergy, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities that have been attributed to Quercetin's antioxidant properties. Applied topically, it will protect skin cells from oxidative stress induced by Glutathione depletion, in synergy with Ascorbic Acid and preventing the carcinogenic effects of some chemical pollutants. It also protects the membrane lipid of skin cells from peroxidation when exposed to UV light. Another interesting property of Quercetin is its anti-elastase activity, i.e. it inhibits the activity of the endogenous enzyme responsible for the breakdown of elastin, a component crucial to skin elasticity. It has additional properties: antibacterial, anti-viral, analgesic, anti-tumor and it protects capillaries.
D- Boldine (Peumus Boldus) Extract - is a natural alkaloid from the Chilean Boldo Tree (Peumus boldus Mol.) This right-handed molecule is the Chirally Correct form. Left handed Boldine, (L-Boldine) is not present in the Boldo Tree. It is only present in synthetic Boldine. L-Boldine is not good for the body but D-Boldine is very good for it, which is why, unlike some products, Oraia contains only the D form. The benefits of D-Boldine: It is a powerful antioxidant and prevents peroxidation. The structure of this (natural) chemical gives it some special properties, including protecting against UV rays and strong free radical scavenging activity. Also, D-Boldine protects the cells, is anti-inflammatory and very calming.
Superoxide Dismutase - is the skin's own antioxidant enzyme, which acts as an environmental protectant by neutralizing the common superoxide ion. In the human body, the main chain-breaking antioxidants are the water-soluble Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and the lipid soluble D-Alpha-Tocopherol (Chirally Correct Vitamin E). SOD is a particularly stable enzyme that converts the destructive superoxide radical into a less dangerous form, hydrogen peroxide which will, in turn, be converted into water and normal oxygen. Superoxide radicals are formed in a number of metabolic reactions, including lipid peroxidation, initiated by light or metal ions. This process is the cause of rancidity of oils, but it also happens in live tissues and may be a cause of cancer, inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, aging, etc. One of the reasons why the Superoxide radicals are so dangerous is because they start chain reactions in which more and more free radicals are formed, reacting with all the cell constituents and causing havoc wherever they go. In our cells, we have our own Superoxide Dismutase, but we can protect our skin by supplementing them with topically applied SOD. The fact that SOD is unlikely to enter live cells is not a problem because lipid peroxidation occurs everywhere in the skin, not just in the live cells. The role of SOD is to eliminate the free radicals resulting from lipid peroxidation and to prevent the chain reactions that would eventually reach deeper into the skin, and the topical application of SOD will certainly help to achieve this aim.
Will Oraia cause any skin reactions?
No. Oraia is a Chirally Correct product, which means it contains ingredients that have been purified to ensure the best possible results while virtually eliminating adverse reactions. Chirally Corrected ingredients link up perfectly with the receptor sites in your skin and deliver the desired results without potential side effects. The reactions that you can expect to see are positive ones ---a complexion that is healthier, more beautiful and one that has a more youthful glow.
Does Oraia contain sunscreen?
No. Oraia is an anti-aging regenerator and while it contains ingredients that help prevent and help reverse the damage done by UV rays, it does not contain sunscreen ingredients. When you feel it necessary to use a sunscreen/sunblock, we suggest you select a physical block, - one that uses Titanium Dioxide and Zinc to block both the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
