Antioxidants And Its Effects On Health

When we’re young, our cells have a very strong defense system known as superoxide dismutase (SOD) that kicks free radical butt. But as we get older, SOD doesn’t work as well. Without SOD keeping the peace, the free radicals have a field day and wreak as much damage as they possibly can causing our cells, and eventually us, to die. Free radicals have also been linked to a number of diseases such as cancer, dementia and heart disease.

Glutathione manages to act as a scavenger, neutralizing free radicals as they peruse the body. This counterbalance leads to the protection of our individual cells and thus our skin, eyes (lens, cornea, and retina), brain, heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines as well as other tissues and organs from oxidative damages to ensure a better functioning,

A diet high in antioxidants, are not only good for anti-aging and inflammation, but amazing for your overall health

Twenty healthy, age-matched (36 years of age, on average) subjects were randomized to either receive 200 mg of Polygonum cuspidatum extract (PCE) (containing 40 mg of resveratrol) or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 weeks. Oxidative stress was determined by analyzing blood for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Inflammatory state was determined by assessing nuclear NFKB DNA binding activity (via gel shift assay) and TNFα mRNA expression (via PCR testing). Resveratrol supplementation was found to significantly reduce ROS generation, NFKB DNA binding activity, and TNFα mRNA expression compared to both baseline and the placebo group at 3 and 6 weeks. (see figure 1). The authors therefore concluded that 6 weeks of a resveratrol-containing supplement could reduce both oxidative stress and inflammation. A major weakness of the study is that the authors failed to report the sex of the subjects making it challenging to compare these findings with other studies. Furthermore, this study used a PCE supplement, which contains several other antioxidants in addition to resveratrol. The possibility therefore remains that these other compounds or an interaction effect could have been responsible for some of changes that were observed.

These superoxides may be dangerous because they alter the structure of iron and protein via reduction. They may also undergo dismutation to form hydrogen peroxide which, in turn, gives rise to hydroxyl radicals, the most reactive ROS (Gulumian and Van Wyk, 1987; Agarwal et al., 2005). Hydrogen peroxide is not a free radical but its neutral charge allows it to pass through cell membranes and so this makes it very dangerous (Kurutas, 2015). Other internal or endogenous sources for these free radicals are inflammation, xanthine oxidase, peroxisomes, phagocytosis, exercise and ischaemia. Exogenous factors which lead to the development of these ROS include smoking, ozone, environmental pollutants, radiation, pesticides and drugs (Lobo et al.,

Your body is in a constant battle against infection, diseases and the formation of free radicals. However, there's a secret weapon that can help you fight against these things: antioxidants! Antioxidants are elements such as vitamins A, C and E that counteract the damage caused by free radicals and help protect your healthy cells. Free radicals are the molecules that contain unpaired electrons, which make them highly reactive. In this form, they can cause damage by attacking healthy cells, and when these cells grow weakened, you become more vulnerable to disease.

Antioxidant rich foods are also extremely important. Antioxidants are found in other plant based foods, essentially those which contain large amounts of vitamin C and vitamin E. Foods such as blueberries, strawberries, lemons and limes fall into this category. Of course there are many others. Green tea is also very high in antioxidants and is a great drink to consume multiple times throughout the day.

In the course of evolution man has lost his ability to produce some powerful antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamin C in your body. Are preserved, however, other antioxidants (Eg melatonin) That inactivate free radicals and thus form a powerful defense system against them.

Phenols are compounds that protect our bodies from chronic diseases such as cancer. They help support our immune system and are also good for heart health.

The market trends in dietary supplements reflect current scientific research combined with current health conditions and trends. A look at the neutraceutical market today will show that there are specific products for supporting specific health conditions for the heart, lung, diabetes, pregnancy, supplements specifically for women, men and women over 40, for children and for the aging, those actively involved in sports, body building, for dieters, for skin and digestion, and for hair care. General health products for overall health and nutrition are still available categorized by age groups and gender.

Oxidative stress can be closely compared to “rusting” of mammal’s cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules that ravage or “oxidize” cells throughout the body in a process

Module ten discussed oxidative stress, and the causes, as well as consequences of liver disorders. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an abnormal balance between nonspecific oxidation reactions, and the body's ability to counteract them. A nonspecific oxidation reaction refers to one that involves free radicals reacting in a disorderly fashion with other molecules. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can cause cellular damage, targeting that of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Free radicals within the body can lead to fragmentation of proteins causing them to have an abnormal function, oxidize polysaturated lipids at their double bond causing disruption in the membrane function, and cause mutations in DNA. Antioxidants react directly with free radicals in the body to render them inactive. Some antioxidant

Antioxidants are molecules that find and destroy the free radicals floating in the bloodstream man. Free radicals are the main culprit for man is aging rapidly, destroying brain cells.

Astaxanthin (ASXT), the most powerful natural antioxidant found in nature, is a red pigment that has been attracting a considerable interest from several sectors of the scientific, biotechnological and commercial activity due to its noticeable and varied bio-functional properties of great relevance in human health and nutrition. Astaxanthin is ubiquitous in nature, especially in the marine environment [1], and it is a red pigment common to many marine animals, such as salmonids, shrimp, lobsters, and crayfish, contributing to the pinkish-red color of their flesh [2]. Because these animals are unable to synthesize astaxanthin de novo is must

Chocolate has two groups of antioxidants called flavonoids and polyphenols. Antioxidants fight against free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unbalanced compounds created by the natural cellular processes in the body and from environmental toxins. Antioxidants are compounds including vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that neutralize free radicals and protect the body from their damage. The substances in antioxidants counteract with the damaging normal effects of the body’s process of oxidization. Research shows that antioxidants help in preventing the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts.