Free Radical Therapy TM

A bit about Free Radical Therapy….

As an Exercise Scientist, I am interested in the health of the tissues that enable a person to move freely, strongly and energetically. Free Radical TherapyTM (FRT) is a frame of reference for both understanding and attaining the level of tissue health that enables this freedom of movement to occur.

FRT does not diagnose disease it works from a health model approach (what does health look like and how do we get there?).

FRT is not the treatment of Free Radicals. Certainly Free Radicals are involved and attended to, but FRT is an approach to health that is based upon identifying the fundamental signs of health and the subclinical signs of disease (tissue degeneration for our purposes). H.L. Sam Queen is the research scientist who uncovered this understanding and has continued to research and develop the facts and the philosophy to share with medical Doctors and health practitioners of all specialities.

Free Radicals are generally known for their role in oxidation and that this is a natural consequence of exercise. However, there are times when exercise, along with this free radical production, can enhance health and times when exercise, the level or type of exercise can add to a detrimental load of oxidative stress leading ultimately to connective tissue breakdown.

This proactive, preventative and educative health model approach agrees that oxidative stress is very damaging, yet oxidative stress is only one of six subclinical signs common to all degenerative processes.

Oxidative stress is one of the six sub-clinical signs of disease identified in Free Radical Therapy. For sound science-supported reasoning it is dealt with in a particular order to most effectively assist return tissue health.

How we use FRT to assist with Exercise Science:

1. Identify which of the six sub-clinical signs of disease are present and why.

2. See how to address these imbalances to bring about an improvement in the condition of the individuals’ tissue and aerobic conditioning.

3. Use this information to offer you coaching sessions so that you have the opportunity to:

• understand your tissue health in respect to the six sub-clinical defects
• understand actions recommended for you
• learn how to carry out these actions
• understand the hierarchy of when to apply them for a successful outcome. It is important that these hierarchical steps are applied in the correct order.

4. Take this information into consideration when programming exercise prescription.

Instead of guessing, or a ‘one size fits all’ approach, Free Radical Therapy enables you to know through your unique biochemistry profile what toxins are blocking your efficient use of your musculo-skeletal and aerobic energy system. What nutrients are deficient in your lifestyle. Food changes that can be suggested to help correct this as well as any supplementation immediately required. Exercise or movement routines can then be advised knowing your current tissue health circumstance.

What are the Six Sub-clinical Signs (also called the Six Homeostatic Controls of the Human Cell) ?

1. Acid/Base Imbalance
Body fluids operate optimally when pH is at certain levels at certain times. When these optimal levels are compromised – usually towards acidic – the body will try to correct this to return it back to alkaline. However, when the volume from metabolism is overwhelming for these corrective efforts, return to alkalinity can be very difficult for the body to achieve. This is important to realise as free radicals are produced more rapidly in an acid environment as well as antioxidants not able to be as effective in an acid environment. More about acid/base balance...

2. Anaerobic Metabolism
In health and in healthy activity we draw upon both aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen) processes for energy production. When our body operates more in an anaerobic state (and is usually notably acidic as well) fatigue, tissue degeneration, infection and cardiovascular risk can commence.

3. Free Calcium Excess
Healthful bodies have a specific ratio of calcium bound to protein and some that are unbound. As the ratio of the unbound (free) calcium increases (excess) the body experiences calcification, bone resorption and changes in cell potential resulting in a range of tissue degeneration including restriction of joint mobility inclusive of pain, limiting muscle function, hypertension.

4. Chronic Inflammation
When the above three signs (plus oxidative stress) are left unchecked the normal healthful inflammatory response can become ineffective. Acute inflammation (e.g. seen when you twist an ankle and repair is complete) is a healthful event. It helps repair tissue, fight infections, and cope with toxins. However, when the inflammatory response fails to complete, this then becomes chronic or prolonged inflammation which raises the risk for infections, toxicity and all degenerative tissue conditions (including cardiovascular risk, arthritis and cancer at the extremes).

5. Connective Tissue Breakdown
Like the guy ropes in a tent, our connective tissue holds our bodies together and gives us our tissue integrity e.g. muscle tone, muscle strength and suppleness, joint stability. Heightened free radical damage along with chronic inflammation left uncorrected causes a breakdown in connective tissue. Proteins are often vital in this scenario with regards the body’s utilisation of proteins or a deficiency of proteins.

6. Oxidative Stress
When the antioxidant protection is less than the free radical load oxidative stress occurs. Free radicals are a normal product of the metabolic processes of the body as well as from toxic exposure. However, an excess amount of free radical production in proportion to available antioxidant capability results in uncontrolled oxidation which destroys cell components, compromises cell functioning and sets the scene for degenerative disease, infection, toxicity and reduced functional capacity due to heightened aging processes.