Free Radicals in the Context of

Ayurvedic Rejuvenative
Therapies
Presented by Ingrid Naiman
for

AAPNA on 10 March 2013

Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2013

Kaya Kalpa

Curious about Alchemy and

Rasayana Herbs
Fukushima Radiation
Deep Concern for Humanity
Many Experiments & Attempts to
Apply Theories

Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2013

Free Radical Theory

One Attempt to Explain the Cause of Aging

Definition
Atom or molecule that has an unpaired electron in
the outer orbit
Problems
Causes Oxidative Damage to Tissues
Damages DNA
Kills White Blood Cells
Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2013

Free Radicals Associated with

Countless Degenerative Diseases

Occurs mainly due to damage to lipid membrane

Mutagenic
Carcinogenic
Cancer, DNA
Heart Attacks and Strokes, LDL
Everything from wrinkles to Alzheimers disease can
be attributed to free radicals.

Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2013

Causes of Free Radicals

Radiation, ionizing as well as electromagnetic fields

Sunlight & ultraviolet light, especially UV-A
Pollution
Toxic Metals, Pesticides
Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals
Oxidation
Smoking
Alcohol
Diet

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Radiation Damage

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The Vata Connection

Vata = Ether + Air

Vata dosha is associated with aging

Vata destructiveness (wind) can cause:

Associated with movement (kinetic energy)

Leads to change
Can produce instability
Causes sound & sensation

Corruption of form & structure

Cell death resulting in die off debris & ama
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Free Radical Theory

Attributed to Denham Harman, 1950s

Lifespan is in inverse proportion to metabolic rate
The metabolic rate is proportional to oxygen
consumption
Oxygen free radicals lead to tissue damage and
ultimately death

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Oxidation
85% of chronic and degenerative diseases are
the results of oxidative damage.
Yukie Niwa

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Stress

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Increased intake of oxygen usually results in more

free radicals
Inflammatory reaction
Cortisol
Ashwagandha lowers cortisol output even when
under stress

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The Irony

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Oxygen is necessary to life, but it is a highly toxic,

mutagenic gas
Oxygen is highly reactive and can cause damage by
producing reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Except for anaerobic species, most living organisms
have an inherent capacity to produce antioxidants

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Types of Free Radicals

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Superoxide anion: oxygen molecule with extra

electron
Hydroxyl radical
highly reactive and damages DNA, carbohydrates,
lipids, and proteins
Singlet oxygen, catalyst to free radical formation)
and damages LDL cholesterol

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Hydrogen Peroxide

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Hydrogen peroxide is not a free radical but is

involved in the production of ROS
ROS which can persist indefinitely
Highly mobile
Penetrates the cell membrane from outside to
damage what is within
Can form a dangerous hydroxyl free radical or be
converted to water and excreted harmlessly
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Lipid Peroxidation = Rancidity

Affects Mainly Polyunsaturated Fats

Processed Foods

Unsaturated Fats

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Meat
Cheese
Avocadoes
Canola oil, olive oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil
Macadamia nuts, cashews, almonds, pecans

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Fats in Food

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Herbs to Prevent Rancidity

Turmeric, Curcuma longa
Chaparral, Larrea tridentata
Rosemary Essential Oil

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Hemolysis & Hemorrhage After

Fukushima - Electroperforations

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Ghee

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Significant improvement in lipid structures can be

expected when patients switch from vegetable oils to
ghee

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Clinical Considerations

Difference between prevention and cure

Examples

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Protective
Corrective
Chyawan
Tapaswiji

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Chyawanprash

Ancient herbal jam used to prevent aging and

promote longevity, variously attributed to the
sage Chywan or the divine Ashwini brothers.

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Amalaki fruit
Herbs & spices
Ghee & sesame oil
Astavarga herbs
Purified alchemical substances
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Status of the Plasma

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The plasma is straw-colored and needs to be

in the correct pH range
free of chemical & metallic toxins
free of fungi, both yeast and mold
free of radioactive particulates and EMF
interferences
free of parasites, bacteria, and viruses

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Darkfield Studies

Observe live blood

Can test almost any diet or protocol to determine the

effect on the plasma

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Erythrocytes
White blood cells
Platelets
Parasites, bacteria, spirochetes, fungi, metallic toxins
Ama

Presence of free radicals can be inferred

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Photoshop Enhancement

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Tourmaline

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Evidence of Free Radicals

in Darkfield

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Free Radical Scavenger

Sometimes referred to as an antioxidant

Renders free radical stable by donating an electron

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May itself become a free radical

May be removed by white blood cells
May be eliminated from the body

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Antioxidant

Electron Donor

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Stabilizes the Free Radical

Renders the Free Radical Harmless
Manages these functions without sustaining damage or
becoming itself a free radical

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Electron Donation

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Antioxidant Herbs

All Rasayana Herbs

Chyawanprash
Especially high: Triphala
Amalaki highest
Haritaki
Bibhitaki

Arjuna, also radioprotective

Highest: Sangre de Grado

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Sangre de Grado
Croton lechleri

Highest antioxidant rating of 3100 foods, herbs, and

supplements tested

mmol/100 grams = 2897.11

4x higher than triphala

90% proanthocyanidins
Grows in the Rain Forest

Main use is for bleeding and wound healing

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Peru
Causes erythrocyte aggregation
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Antioxidant Foods, Herbs, & Spices

Cloves and Cinnamon

Fruits & Vegetables
Especially those that are dark in color

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Acai and goji berries

Artichokes and beets

Dark Chocolate

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Myricetin Antioxidant

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Flavonoid found in berries and grapes

Walnuts
Onions
Bayberry bark
Red wine
Green tea

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DNA
If the free radical
reaction involves
strands of the DNA,
Serious consequences
can result.

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Ayurvedic Herbs for DNA

Protection

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Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera

Antioxidant
Supports normal cortisol levels
Protects against lipid peroxidation
Bacopa, Bacopa monnieri
Promotes healthy functioning of neurotransmitters
Tulsi, Ocimum tenuiflorum
Helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol

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Herbs that Repair DNA

Sage (essential oil), Salvia officinalis

Cats Claw, Uncaria tomentosa

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Anti-microbial, antifungal, antioxidant

Improves functioning of DNA & RNA

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Neurogenesis

Astragalus, Astragalus membranaceus

Cats Claw, Uncaria tomentosa

Chromosome repair

Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera

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Extend life of telomeres

Improve how immune cells respond to viruses

Helps regenerate damaged neurons in the brain

Brain trauma
Infection by parasites or spirochetes

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Rasayanas and Dhatus

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All rasayanas are antioxidants

Promote resistance to disease
Promote homeostasis
Promote health
Promote optimal functioning
All rasayanas promote longevity

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The Dhatus

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All nutrients are first assimilated by rasa dhatu

and refined for use by rakta dhatu and the other
dhatus.
There is assimilation and waste at each stage of
tissue renewal.
Only what is used as a nutrient forms the dhatu.

Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2013

Rasa Dhatu

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Plasma
Rasa dhatu is the sea in which blood cells find
nourishment.
The quality of the fluid, safety of the fluid, and
availability of high quality nutrients determines
the capacity to sustain, regenerate, and rejuvenate
all other tissues of the body.

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Taste of Rasa Dhatu

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Sweet
Nutritious
Salty
Minerals
Pungent, Sour, Bitter, & Astringent in lesser
amounts
The nutrients needed are best supplied by juice

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Herbs for Rasa Dhatu

Guduchi, Tinospora cordifolia

Haritaki, Terminalia chebula
Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus
Jivanti, Leptadenia reticulata
Punarnava, Boerhavia diffusa

Bamboo manna
Shilajit

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Western Herbs for Rasa Dhatu

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Fluids
Water
Herbal infusions
Juices from fruits or vegetables, especially okra
Herbs that are mucilaginous and demulcent
Herbs that are pH balancing
Herbs that are rich in trace minerals
Nettles (Urtica dioica), sea vegetables, licorice (Glycyrrhiza
glabra), burdock (Arctium lappa)
Herbs that aid digestion
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2013

Bibliography
Balch, James F., The Super Antioxidants, M. Evans & Company, Inc., New York,
1998.
Cox, Robert E., The Elixir of Immortality, Inner Traditions, Rochester, VT, 2003.
Halliwell, Barry & Gutteridge, John M.C., Free Radicals in Biology and
Medicine, Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010.
Murthy, T. S. Ananta, Tapaswiji, Sri Vishnu Ashram Trust Publication, Third
Edition, Bangalore, 2003.
Schechter, Steven R., Fighting Radiation & Chemical Pollutants with Foods, Herbs,
& Vitamins, Second Edition, Vitality Ink, Encinitas, CA., 1990.
Winston, David & Maimes, Steven, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and
Stress Relief, Healing Arts Press, Rochster, VT, 2007.

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Bibliography Ayurveda
Dash, Bhagwan, Alchemy and Metallic Medicines in Ayurveda, Concept
Publishing Company, New Delhi, 1996, Reprinted 2003.
Frawley, David, Soma in Yoga and Ayurveda, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, WI, 2012.
Ojha, J.K., Chyawanprash: From Vedic to Genomic Era, Chaukhamba Sanskrit
Pratishthan, Delhi, 2003.
Sharma, B. D. & Acharya Bal Krishnan, Vitality Strengthening Astavarga Plants,
Divya Yog Mandir Trust, Haridwar, 2005 (?)
Sharma, Hari, MD, Freedom from Disease, Veda Publishing, Toronto, 1993.

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Internet Sources
Benzie, I.F.F. and Wachtel-Galor, S., editors, Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and
Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition, Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press, 2011.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92763/
Carlsen, Monica H. et al, 2010
http://www.nutritionj.com/content/supplementary/1475-2891-9-3-s1.pdf

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Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2013