How can we adapt to stress without depleting DNA and accelerating the aging of our pre-established blueprint. How can we rejuvenate on a daily basis (anabolic) without wear and tear stress (catabolic) leaving us vulnerable to degenerative disease; cancer and heart attack? Finding the perfect balance between catabolic and anabolic means restoring pH fitness on a daily basis and as fast as possible immediately after a Specific-Adaptation-to- Imposed-Demands (S.A.I.D.) workout.

As a sole means of physical conditioning, SAID doesn’t necessarily equal anti aging. Take for example endurance training  (which depends to a great extend on anaerobic metabolism)… like resistance training it generally doesn’t resolve dis-proportionate adrenaline and lactic acid build up resulting in neural, circulatory, and hormone imbalances. Even with interval training proven to adapt muscle cell mitochondria to use up a greater percentage of lactic acid as fuel, body pH acidity limits the full anti-aging potential of exercise. Furthermore oxidative stress which affects neural signals, gene expression, and an inflammatory reaction produces C-reactive protein leading to plaque build up in blood vessels.

The proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane is maintained by the action of the electron transport chain
. The electron transport chain consists of 6 proteins associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane. The metabolic pH acidity from excess hydrogen (H+) that results with lactic acid build-up changes the shape and function of protein cells, as well as the distribution of electrolytes in the action potential of cellular metabolism. Conceivably, an acidic cellular environment (indicated as soon as breathing gets heavier during exercise), increases the probability of oxygen becoming a highly reactive and damaging free radical species, -OH, is much higher. Clearly body pH acidity is at least in part implicated in free radical damage.

Among the numerous theories that explain the process of aging, the mitochondrial theory of aging has received the most attention. This theory states that electrons leaking from the ETC (electron transfer chain) reduce molecular oxygen to form superoxide anion radicals. Superoxide, through both enzymic and non-enzymic reactions, can cause the generation of other ROS (reactive oxygen species). The ensuing state of oxidative stress results in damage to ETC components and mtDNAc (mitochondrial DNA), thus increasing further the production of ROS. Ultimately, this ‘vicious cycle’ leads to a physiological decline in function, or pre-mature aging. It’s been estimated that up to 2% of the oxygen used in mitochondrial respiration could end up as superoxide in unhealthy tissue.

On what other basis than the possibility of oxygen becoming a free radical, would www.physorg.com say… “even the simple act of breathing constantly inflicts damage upon our genes.”? This viewpoint derives it’s logic from the assumption that our default response to physical, emotion, or mental stress ie. hyperventilation, which is also the sole paradigm for breathing during physical exertion. The acidity indicated by hyperventilation predisposes to free radical production, cellular damage, and inflammation. Without deliberate respiratory engineering that renders both hypo or hyperventilation unnecessary regardless of speed or intensity of a total body muscle-balancing warmup, we cannot restore body pH to normal as fast as possible before and after exercise, giving us no control over a dismal aging prognosis.

From the food we eat, to the type of exercise we do, to the chronic stress of working before our neural system is fully awake… body pH acidity is pretty much a way of life in our fast paced technological world. With the Body’Fit pH Fitness™ warm-up (short form… pHx™) it’s now possible to recharge the cells and restore total body pH and oxygen reserves in as little as 5 minutes after exercise. Even walking or yoga, by itself doesn’t give the same results. Very good information is now available (just google pH fitness), and is an option that can be easily implemented. The trade off for exercise conditioning without pH fitness, is DNA aging. An alkalizing diet will help balance body pH, but not during an acidic workout. Incidentally Body’Fit pHx also resolves the circulatory imbalance inherent in both endurance and resistance training by triggering hormones in the precise sequence that converts the constrictive action of adrenaline on arteries, to dilation promoting vascular health.

Sadly, cancer researchers (self-admittedly) exploit cellular chemistry on the premise that the most effective cancer ‘cure’ is with free radicals, including superoxide anion radicals. (I suppose it would be, if our only option was to ‘fight’ disease by killing cells as opposed to restoring our natural regenerative capacity). Gray Cancer Research has even cautioned against eating too much ‘natural food’ because it doesn’t produce enough cell-damaging free radicals. Certainly is a different way of thinking, isn’t it?

Also statin drugs are being used to control the inflammatory reaction typical of overactivity in the sympathetic nervous system. Adverse side-effects add to modern stress that goes far beyond simple physical exertion… from exposure to high-use commercial microwave oven and man-made EMF radiation to ingestion of chemical pollutants and genetically altered food (not to mention unknown effects like nano particles on DNA). A comprehensive pH fitness program that can restore H+ levels to normal fast is indispensable DNA protection and cancer prevention.

A nutrigenomics molecule which may produce similar benefits without concern for statin side effects is found in black tea. To reduce destructive inflammatory reactions which are at the root of aging and degeneration, the extract of the molecule called theoflavins has demonstrated powerful antioxidant effects and a remarkable ability to control inflammation at the genetic level. To regulate blood lipid levels Indian gooseberry or amla has produced exciting results in human clinical trials with the added benefit of reducing oxidative damage to fats that can lead to early atherosclerotic changes.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, isn’t it? We seem to sometimes forget that. Given what it needs, a living organism is quite capable of regenerating itself continuously… view video below for details.

*Dr Paul Clayton is immediate past Chair of the Forum on Food and Health at the Royal Society of Medicine, and Scientific Advisor to the Nutritional Therapy Council. He is a former Senior Scientific Advisor to the UK government’s Committee on the Safety of Medicines, and a visiting fellow at Oxford Brookes University. Dr Paul Clayton graduated summa cum laude in Medical Pharmacology from Edinburgh University, prior to obtaining his PhD. He lectures at the Royal College of General Practitioners and his books include Health Defence and After Atkins. He recently was invited to present his proposals on national health policy to a Government Select Committee.