Know Your Antioxidants
Free Radicals-BAD, Antioxidants- GOOD.
Free radicals are highly reactive compounds that are created in the
body during normal metabolic functions or introduced from the environment.
Free radicals are inherently unstable, since they contain "extra"
energy. To reduce their energy load, free radicals react with certain
chemicals in the body, and in the process, interfere with the cells'
ability to function normally. Antioxidants work in several ways: they
may reduce the energy of the free radical, stop the free radical from
forming in the first place, or interrupt an oxidizing chain reaction
to minimize the damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are believed to play a role in more than sixty different
health conditions, including the aging process, cancer and atherosclerosis.
Reducing exposure to free radicals and increasing intake of antioxidant
nutrients has the potential to reduce the risk of free radical-related
health problems.
Many vitamins and minerals act as antioxidants in their own right,
such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, zinc, selenium and coenzyme
Q10. There are also powerful plant antioxidants including the
carotenoids and the bioflavanoids. All which provide
powerful antioxidant protection for the body.
Vitamin C
Antioxidant functions: As a water-soluble antioxidant, vitamin C is
in a unique position to "scavenge" aqueous peroxyl radicals
before these destructive substances have a chance to damage lipids.
It works along with vitamin E and the enzyme glutathione peroxidase
to stop free radical chain reactions.
Immune system function: Vitamin C can enhance the body's resistance
to an assortment of diseases, including infectious disorders and many
types of cancer. It strengthens and protects the immune system by
stimulating the activity of antibodies and immune system cells such
as phagocytes and neutrophils.
Other processes: Vitamin C contributes to a variety of other biochemical
functions. These include the biosynthesis of the amino acid carnitine
and the catecholamines that regulate the nervous system. It also helps
the body to absorb iron and to break down histamine, the inflammatory
component of many allergic reactions.
How much for antioxidant activity: Free radical pathology may occur
when the body's antioxidant mechanisms cannot keep pace with the rate
at which free radicals and other oxidants are being formed. To supply
the body with enough antioxidant power, R.F. Cathcart, a clinical
practitioner who has treated patients with vitamin C, believes each
person should take the vitamin up to his or her "bowel tolerance"
level. Simply put, this is the level just below the daily dosage that
would cause you to have diarrhea. The more severe the toxicity from
oxygen radicals, the more vitamin C one can tolerate.
Vitamin E
Also known as tochopherol, this fat soluble antioxidant works its
magic in the lipid parts of the body, such as cell membranes and body
fat stores. The main function of vitamin E is to maintain membranes
integrity in the body cells. It acts as a powerful antioxidant by
preventing the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the cellular
membranes.
Vitamin E effectiveness is magnified when taken with other antioxidants,
especially vitamin C, selenium and beta carotene. Studies have demonstrated
that vitamin E intake is associated with decreased incidence of heart
disease in both men and women.
Vitamin E helps eliminate exercise cramps and soreness and nighttime
leg cramps. Applied topically it boosts the healing of burns, canker
sores, diaper rash and prevents scarring.
Research has shown that vitamin E is one of the most powerful nutrients
against atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of heart disease. It
also protects the body against the normal age-related decline of the
immune system.
Vitamin A
It is a fat soluble micronutrient essential for healthy vision, cell
reproduction, wound healing, immunity and other crucial bodily functions.
A study by the university of Arizona found that vitamin A has a protective
affect against many types of cancer, according to M. Colgan in his
book, The New Nutrition. It is found in animal products, but can be
manufactured by the body from its precursor beta carotene (found in
vegetables). As an antioxidant Vitamin A protects cell membranes and
fatty tissue, helps repair damage caused by air pollutants and boosts
the immune system.
Zinc
Zinc has long been known to be a vital component of over 200 enzyme
systems, as well as being responsible for releasing vitamin A from
the liver by converting beta carotene to vitamin A. Zinc's function
as an antioxidant was first proposed in 1990. There are two distinct
mechanisms by which it functions as an antioxidant. The first is the
protection of proteins and enzymes against free radical attack, or
oxidation. The zinc molecule in zinc-containing enzymes was found
to act as an antioxidant and protect specific regions of the enzyme
from free radical attack, thus preserving its stability and activity.
The second mechanism by which zinc functions as an antioxidant is
through the prevention of free radical formation by other metals,
such as iron and copper. Zinc may safeguard red blood cell membranes
against oxidative effects of other minerals such as copper or iron.
When zinc, instead of iron or copper, is incorporated into proteins,
free radical generating reactions that may otherwise occur are inhibited.
One area of growing interest is the role of zinc as an antioxidant
in the central nervous system (CNS), particularly the brain. Compared
to other soft tissues, the human brain contains significant amounts
of zinc. Among the essential trace elements, zinc is second only to
iron in total concentration in the brain.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that plays a key role in helping maintain
proper levels of the powerful antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.
It works with antioxidants C, E and A. The combined effect of Selenium
and E is greater than the additive affect of each alone.
Selenium fed to cells increases their levels of antioxidant enzymes
and prevents damage caused by radiation and chemical carcinogens.
Deficiency in humans correlates with higher rates of colon, breast,
ovary, prostate, lung, bladder and skin cancer. Studies show it can
prevent cancer in both animals and humans.
Co Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is widely distributed through the body. It is
used by the body to transform food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP),
the energy on which the body runs.
CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals
and helps preserve vitamin E, the major antioxidant of cell membranes
and blood cholesterol.
Virtually every cell of the human body contains CoQ10. It is concentrated
in the mitochondria, the area of cells where energy is produced. It
plays an integral role in supplying energy to chemical reactions in
the body. The heart and liver contain the greatest amount of CoQ10.
CoQ10 is found primarily in fish and meat, but the amounts in food
are far less than what can be obtained from supplements.
There is reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing
substantial health benefits when CoQ10 has been used in connection
with angina, heart attack and high blood pressure. CoQ10's ability
as an antioxidant scavenger may account for the cardiovascular benefits.
Coenzyme Q10 prevents free radical oxidation of low density lipoprotein
(LDL).
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are plant based antioxidants. They include beta carotene,
lutein and lycopene. Research evidence suggests carotenoids lower
the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. Lycopene, which
is concentrated in the prostate gland, is believed to protect the
prostate from cancer. Lutein is thought to prevent or stop the progression
of macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness. Beta carotene
the precursor to vitamin A is probably the most well known carotenoid,
being responsible for the bright orange and yellow colors of vegetables.
Beta carotene itself has been found to increase the lungs' defense
systems in smokers or those exposed to airborne toxins.
Bioflavanoids
Bioflavanoids are a group of about 5,000 compounds that act as antioxidants.
They occur in fruits, vegetables, green tea, soy products, herbs and
spices. They have been shown to be beneficial in treating a variety
of conditions, including allergies, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension,
and viral infections. They also increase effectiveness of C and E
by helping them regenerate after neutralizing free radicals in the
blood and tissues.
Bioflavanoids are plant compounds found in citrus fruits, dark green
leafy vegetables and other typically vitamin C rich foods. Bioflavanoids
play an important role in healing capillaries and helping the body
form collagen, which holds body tissues together. The bioflavanoids
are also known collectively as vitamin P. Some of the most common
ones include hesperidin, quercitin, rutin and anthocyadins. Bioflavanoids
exhibit a broad range of antioxidant activity and are taken to treat
nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and a tendancy to bruise. Studies have
shown that flavanoids play a key role in protecting people against
the effects of environmental toxins, especially air pollutants (ozone,
carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, pesticides and heavy metals).
Antioxidants everyday.
The body relies on food to replenish the antioxidant pool of the
body. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, lutein is found in green leafy
vegetables and we all know vitamin C and oranges. Unfortunately, in
today's busy and polluted world staying ahead of the free radicals
is more likely to depend on much more then what our diets can supply
us. When the same food we are eating is causing oxidative stress of
its own it is almost impossible to depend on food alone. The good
news is that many of these potent antioxidant are now available as
supplements. The key to supplementing your antioxidants is to make
sure they are part of a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement
as they have been found to work synergistically.
As a result of current research we are also lucky enough to have access
to concentrated amounts of plant antioxidants. ALL
ONE's Fruit Antioxidant Formula offers 2 full grams of fruit antioxidants
from the fabulous, yet seasonal berries, that are proving to be up
to 10-times the potency of the traditional antioxidants A, C and E.
As well as having the ability to "re-charge" these nutrients
once exposed to free radicals. ALL ONE combines these with their high
potency multi-vitamin and mineral base for a highly effective free
radical fighter. In the ALL
ONE formula for Active Seniors Nutritech has also combined the
key antioxidants lutein and coenzyme Q10, which have been highlighted
as being effective on age related conditions such as macular degeneration
and cardiovascular disease.
As the research continues to roll in it is clear that antioxidants
are a natural and effective way to combat degeneration and disease
caused by the stresses of today. So, know your antioxidants and be
sure they are included as part of your daily multivitamin and mineral
supplement.
