 |
The importance of Antioxidants in maintaining our health.Antioxidants, the word, has become commonplace in most people’s vocabulary today however I believe that when queried, most people would be at a loss to say exactly what it is and what it does. The goal of this page is to label and frame its importance in maintaining our health.
So, what is an antioxidant? Let’s look at the last half of the word first. An oxidant is a substance that oxidizes other substances. To oxidize means to either react with oxygen or cause a chemical to react with oxygen; or to lose electrons or cause a chemical element or compound to lose electrons.
Oxidation happens when there is an interaction (contact) between oxygen molecules and other substances. Some examples of oxidation we can all relate to are an apple turning brown after being cut, a rusty bicycle fender, or a copper penny that has turned green.
When you put “anti” to the front of the word “oxidant”, creating antioxidant, it now represents a substance that inhibits (stops or restricts) oxidation.
You’re probably asking yourself, “What does a rusty bicycle fender or a piece of brown apple have to do with needing antioxidants to maintain our health?” The connection will become clearer in the next few paragraphs.
The Oxygen Paradox
Oxygen is essential to our well-being. Breathing it connects us to life. If we are deprived of it for more than a few minutes, irreparable damage occurs. If deprived of oxygen long enough we die. In the same breath, oxygen is also a savage destroyer that must be blocked and opposed. This is known as the oxygen paradox.
We all know that we thrive in the presence of oxygen. Oxygen makes it possible for our cells to burn fuel (carbohydrates – sugars/fats). This is accomplished through an amazingly efficient aerobic or oxygen utilizing biochemical process called the Krebs cycle. Using oxygen in this manner to generate cellular energy is called oxygenation…AND…as long as oxygen is carefully directed into aerobic biochemical processes like the Krebs cycle, it’s truly man’s best friend.
Oxygen being carefully directed into the Krebs cycle is gravely important because oxygen, even inside our bodies, is a highly reactive, corrosive chemical.
We see the corrosive effects of oxygen routinely in our daily lives. If left unchecked, oxygen can turn the strongest iron chain into a weak and crumbling wreck by corrupting it, on atom at a time, through a process known as oxidation. Oxidation is a process in which oxygen (or certain other chemicals) attaches themselves to other substances by stripping away their electrons. In the case of rust, oxygen attaches to iron to form oxide compounds that weaken and corrode the original structure. Oxidation happens on a molecular level. We only see the large-scale effects as the oxygen causes free radicals on the surface to break away.
In the case of fresh fruit, the skin of the fruit usually acts as a barrier against oxidation. Once the skin has been broken the individual cells of the fruit come in direct contact with air and the oxygen molecules start burning them. The result is a form of rust we see as brownish spots or blemishes.
Inside our bodies, something very similar can happen. Oxygen can strip a negatively charged electron from another biochemical compound changing the compound into a positively charged ion known as a free radical. If we are lucky this newly formed free radical (simply) attaches itself to the oxygen or some other negatively charged material which allows the positively charged ion to regain molecular balance.
If we are not so lucky, the positively charged ion, in need of a negatively charged electron so it can get back into electrical balance, steals one from a neighboring molecule, balancing itself but creating a new, imbalanced ion (AKA free radial). The newly created ion is left to repeat the process which facilitates a long chain of chemical changes taking place, each one damaging and degrading a previously balanced and functional biochemical substance.
Staying in Their Lane
As stated earlier, as long as oxygen is carefully directed into aerobic biochemical processes like the Krebs cycle, everything works perfectly. One analogy I have seen that explains the importance of this happening is cars speeding down the highway. As long as the cars stay in their lanes, traffic flows smoothly and safely. But if the system of lanes breaks down and cars start weaving and moving around in every possible direction, then the situation immediately becomes dangerous and inefficient.
It’s the same way with oxygen, except that instead of painted lines to designate the lanes, our bodies have highly developed systems of antioxidants that work to keep atoms traveling in the right direction (into the Krebs cycle) preventing them from making major trouble elsewhere in the body. Some of these substances and the biochemical pathways (AKA antioxidants) are meant to keep oxygen heading in the right direction while others antioxidants work to keep oxygen from heading off in the wrong direction. Some of the body’s major antioxidant systems include glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase.
The Perils of Oxidative Stress
When oxygen start weaving and moving around in every possible direction outside the lanes created in the body by antioxidants, it strips negatively charged electrons from nearby substances, creating positively charged ions called free radicals. As earlier described, one free radical steals a negatively charged electron from another molecule, damaging it to rebalance itself, which created another free radical, and so forth. This domino-like series of damaging events is known as an oxidative stress cascade. Oxidative damage causes many problems.
Through the oxidative stress cascade process, oxygen breaks down essential substances in the body, degrading them to a point where they become toxins and wastes that must be removed from the body, rather than helpful substances that serve it.
Free radicals reduce the flow of electrons the body uses to create and direct energy at the cellular level. Chinese refer to the life force or vital energy as chi or qi. Hindus call it prana; Greeks know it as pneuma; and the Japanese refer to it as ki. In biochemical terms chi may be understood in terms of this energy flow. When the body enters a highly oxidized state, electron flow (vital energy) is reduced. When this happens, it may translate into a loss of physical energy, depression, anxiety, or other nervous system disorders, poor digestion, and/or a wide range of metabolic complaints ranging from constipation to diabetes. It may also manifest as weakened immunity, leading to increased susceptibility to infections or slower healing and recovery.
Finally, the presence of free radicals in the body can act as a trigger mechanism for inflammatory processes. Free radicals trigger the production of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-kB), which in turn signals the production of inflammatory cytokines which are immune system substances the body produces to fight cancer and other infections. While the production of NF-kB can be helpful if triggered at the right time, when we are constantly exposed to free radicals, the over-expression of NF-kB and its related downstream cytokines can produce inflammatory problems, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and cardiovascular diseases.
Antioxidant Supplements (Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs) The word “Antioxidant” encompass a collection of natural substances, which include vitamins A, C and E; selenium (a mineral); and a group know as carotenoids (ca-rot-e-noids) with beta-carotene being the most well know. Carotenoids are the pigment compounds that give yellow, red, and orange fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors.
Antioxidants are believed to be effective in helping to prevent cancer, heart disease, stroke and a variety of other ailments, even some associated with natural aging. Antioxidants facilitate the prevention of ailments by inhibiting (stop or restrict) and/or destroying free radicals inside the human body.
Left unrestrained, free radicals damage cell walls, the genetic material within the cells and other associated cell structures. Over time such damage to essential substances of the body degrades them to a point where they become toxins and wastes that must be removed from the body, rather than helpful substances that serve it.
Antioxidants are believed to be effective in preventing disease by inhibiting and/or destroying free radicals before they get the chance to do harm to our bodies.
As stated earlier, the human body produces a number of antioxidant enzymes, which include superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, that are responsible for inhibiting and/or destroying free radicals. Supplements of these enzymes are available but absorption is limited. That said, it makes more sense to supplement the components required to make these enzymes which has proven to be more effective (e.g. manganese, zinc, and copper for SOD; selenium for glutathione peroxidase).
In addition to the antioxidants produced by the human body, there are a number of vitamins and minerals that are considered effective antioxidants in their own right, (e.g. vitamins A, B2, C, and E; coenzyme Q10; cysteine; lutein; and lycopene. In addition to vitamins and minerals there are a number of herbs that contain powerful antioxidant compounds (e.g. bilberry, ginkgo, grape seed, green tea, milk thistle, and turmeric or curcumin).
It is believed by many medical experts that the best way to protect our bodies from against free radicals is to consume a large variety of antioxidants.
Do you have a personal experience to share relating to Antioxidants?You can help improve the content of this site by sharing your personal experiences. Doing so will help hundreds, if not thousands, of people living with Hepatitis C.
Finally! An On-Line Greeting Card System with Real Cards, Envelopes & Stamps! Did you know that 9 out of 10 people say they look forward to receiving greeting cards because cards allow them to keep in touch with friends, family, customers & prospects; and make them feel important and loved. Did you know that consumers and businesses spend $7.5 billion on greeting cards each year! That’s right! Greeting cards is a 7.5 billion dollar industry that is 80% owned by two companies, Hallmark and American Greetings. See for yourself why SendOutCards is turning the Greeting Card Industry Upside Down. Go to www.SendOutCards.com/54027 and click on the banner where is says “Click Here to Send a Free Card." Make sure your speakers are turned up a little. SendOutCards founder and CEO, Kody Bateman, will walk you through the simple process of sending a card to that someone special in your life."
Return to...
Return from Antioxidants to the Home page
Improve the content of this site. Share your thoughts.
Doing so will help hundreds, if not thousands, of people like us... ...people living with Hepatitis C.
Click here to access the comment form
Find an Online Support Group
Browse over 500 communities of people facing similar life challenges, medical conditions, and mental health issues and find people who understand exactly what you're going through.
Click here to find the support you've been looking for.
Affiliate Links
Help our Disabled American Veterans Our veteran heroes need your support! Over 37,000 men and women have been injured in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many face serious injuries, endure extensive recoveries and are not receiving the treatment and care they have earned and deserve. I earn a small amount of money each time you click on these Google ads or use the Google search feature on this website. I will donate half of everything I earn from these Google ads and Google search to the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. Will you help me support our Disabled American Veterans?
|
