May 19, 2004

ANTIOXIDANTS IN REVIEW

Yup. It’s a basic topic, but it bears repetition, so no hissing from our experts! So here we go, on an adventure with antioxidants.

Disease is preceded by years or even decades of biochemical imbalances in our body. Oxidation is the common thread associated with aging and degenerative disease. We’ve talked about this before, but it’s akin to allowing the different parts of your body to “rust.” Not a pretty picture, is it?

Antioxidants address this rusting process (on the cheap too -- especially compared to interventions after the “rust” has set in deeply!).

FREE-RADICALS – THE OXIDATION MOLECULES

Oxidation was first noted by a young organic chemist at the University of California- Berkley, Dr. Denham Harmon, M.D., Ph.D. in 1954. Dr. Harmon theorized that the progressive deterioration of the body (aging) was caused by oxidation molecules called “free radicals.”

Free radical molecules were discovered to have an unpaired electron on the outer shell of their molecule, which makes them highly-reactive with most molecules, including: lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and even DNA. These unpaired electrons attack a stable molecule by “stealing” its electron, which changes the “good molecule” into a “free radical.” If there is excessive free radical formation, then a chain reaction causes irreversible damage to cells and tissues, causing a degenerative effect called aging.

Of course, not all free radicals are the enemy. Your body produces free radicals when your immune system destroys viruses and bacteria. Free radicals are also involved in producing vital hormones and activating enzymes that you need for healthy living. That old there’s “good news” and there’s “bad news” thing!

SOURCES OF OXIDATIVE STRESS – INCLUDES “FAT BURNERS”& SOME POPULAR LOW CARB DIETS!

As you get older, your bodies are consistently bombarded with multiple sources of internal and external stresses that generate free radical production. These sources include environmental pollutants, radiation, chemicals, diets high in fat, excessive food intake, nutritional deficiencies, problems with blood-sugar regulation and smoking, just to name a few.

Additionally, did you know that if you use “fat-burning” nutritional supplements, you are turning on an oxidative process?! You see, fat burning is nothing more or less than “lipid peroxidation” or oxidation of fats.

For example, supplements like our Conjugated Linoleic Acid, aimed at helping maintain healthy lean muscle, activate oxidation. This means that if you take CLA (or other “thermal activators” / “fat burners”), you should also be sure to get a healthy amount of antioxidants either in your diet or through supplementation!

Another source of oxidative stress are some of the very popular low-carb diets, which are notoriously low in antioxidants. Even the low-carb gurus recommend antioxidant supplements for folks sticking to the initial diet recommendations.

ANTIOXIDANTS TO THE RESCUE

Like any good comic book story, overcoming evil (unchecked free radicals) requires a real superhero. Ta da da duh!

Enter arch nemesis for free radicals: antioxidants! Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by binding to their unpaired electrons, making them unable to damage healthy cells and tissue. Hooray for the good guys!

So let’s review some antioxidant factoids together!

CAROTENOIDS & VITAMIN A – A FAMILY OF ANTIOXIDANTS

Carotenoids are the fat-soluble pigments found in your favorite red/yellow/green/orange fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are actually a family of antioxidants that include alpha-carotene, beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Did you know that of 500 carotenoids in nature, only about 50 are converted into vitamin A in your body? Alas, you can’t count on being able to use this little factoid in your Jeopardy competitions though!

Here’s how the carotenoid critters work. They “quench” singlet oxygen, which is not technically a free radical, but is still highly reactive and can damage molecules in your body. They also act as anticancer agents (by protecting healthy DNA), prevent macular degeneration, and support healthy hearts.

The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A as needed. Any leftover beta-carotene then acts as an antioxidant, breaking free radical chain reactions and preventing the oxidation of cholesterol.

VITAMIN C – RECHARGING OTHER ANTIOXIDANTS

Vitamin C not only acts as an antioxidant, it also helps recharge other antioxidants like vitamin E. Because Vitamin C is water-soluble, it effectively scavenges for free radicals in bodily fluids, such as plasma, and in cells of the brain and the spinal cord.

VITAMIN E & ZINC PREVENT OXIDATION OF LIPIDS (FATS)

Fat oxidation has been implicated in the process that leads to atherosclerosis. Vitamin E is fat-soluble, and since cell membranes are composed of lipids (fats), vitamin E effectively prevents the cells’ protective coatings from becoming rancid as a result of free radical assaults.

Vitamin E also improves oxygen utilization, thus enhancing immune system responses, helping to prevent cataracts, and improving heart health. Selenium enhances vitamin E uptake in the body.

Zinc’s role is primarily to prevent oxidation of fats and it aids in the absorption of vitamin A. Studies now indicate that zinc is also needed to maintain normal blood concentrations of vitamin E.

SELENIUM – A TRACE MINERAL PROTECTING AGAINST CANCER

In addition to partnering with vitamin E to protect tissues and cell membranes, selenium also increases antioxidant enzyme levels in cells and is a critical component in glutathione peroxidase (glutathione targets harmful hydrogen peroxide in the body and converts it to water).

The FDA has allowed some important claims for selenium, including these (with the expected caveats about data that is not totally “conclusive”):

"Selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer.”

"Selenium may produce anticarcinogenic effects in the body. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may produce anticarcinogenic effects in the body.”

Note: You do need to use caution and not overdo it on selenium (upper limits vary depending on age and needs, please check!).

FLAVONOIDS – POWERFUL ALONE & PROTECTORS OF OTHER ANTIOXIDANTS

Flavonoids are not only powerful antioxidants, they also help chelate metal out of the body. Plants produce flavonoids to protect themselves from cell injury, bacteria, and parasites.

Interestingly, there are 4,000 chemically-unique flavonoids, many of which have greater antioxidant activity than vitamins C and E or beta-carotene. As such, they are able to help protect antioxidant vitamins from oxidative damage too.

COENZYME Q-10 – CRUCIAL ANTIOXIDANT EXISTING EVERYWHERE IN THE BODY

Coenzyme Q-10, one of our members’ favorite antioxidants, plays a leading role in generating cellular energy, stimulating healthy immune responses, increasing circulation, and protecting the cardiovascular system (CoQ-10 is found in the highest concentrations in the heart, followed by the liver, kidney, spleen, and pancreas).

Interestingly, Coenzyme Q-10 is structurally similar to Vitamin E (who but the chemists knew that one?!).

MELATONIN, ALA, CURCUMIN, GINGKO BILOBA, GRAPESEED EXTRACT, BILBERRY, SILYMARIN, NAC, NADH, ETC.

Yep, the hormone melatonin is an antioxidant, which is an efficient free radical scavenger and singlet oxygen quencher. Melatonin is one of the few antioxidants that can penetrate the mitochondria (the cellular “power plants”) and protect them from free radical damage. Newer research has shown melatonin’s promise for protecting against degenerative conditions.
Alpha lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant, being both water- and fat-soluble. It’s another recycler of other antioxidants like vitamins E and C, it supports the body in producing glutathione, aids in the absorption of Coenzyme Q-10, helps maintain normal blood sugar levels, and detoxifies the liver. Alpha lipoic acid is known as a metabolic antioxidant, since without it, cells cannot use sugar to produce energy. Incidentally, alpha lipoic acid is not produced in large quantities by the body.
Curcumin stops precancerous changes within DNA and interferes with the enzymes necessary for cancer progression. Curcumin also stops the oxidation of cholesterol, protecting against plaque build-up.
Ginkgo biloba is an antioxidant that protects the brain, retina, and cardiovascular system.
Grapeseed extract is another flavonoid, which is also known as a member of the “oligomeric proanthocyanidins” or OPCs) family. OPCs are highly water soluble, making rapid absorption easy for the body. OPCs also cross the blood-brain barrier, enabling them to fight free radicals in the brain and spinal nerves!
Bilberry is actually related to antioxidant “king of fresh fruits,” the blueberry, and contains antioxidants helpful in maintaining capillary wall strength and flexibility. Bilberry also contains anthocyanidins (found to provide upto 50 times the antioxidant protection of
vitamin E and 10 times that of vitamin C).
Milk thistle (otherwise known as silymarin) has valuable flavonoids among its active ingredients (which guard the liver from toxins and drugs).
N-Acetylcysteine (or NAC) is needed to produce the free radical fighter, glutathione. NAC is used by the liver and the lymphocytes in detoxification processes.
Coenzyme 1 (or Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide --also known as NADH) is an antioxidant that plays an important role in DNA repair and may even inhibit oxidation of dopamine (oxidation of dopamine produces toxic byproducts, which can damage sensitive parts of the brain).

O-k, enough already, eh? I could go on and on, covering all the herbs with flavonoids and antioxidant properties, but this newsletter is already quite long.

The main (GOOD) news: antioxidants are EVERYWHERE!

There’s no excuse for not getting enough antioxidants into your system to prevent the evil “rusting” and to support ongoing good health.

ANTIOXIDANT STUDIES IN THE NEWS

Eggplant found to have antioxidant kick
Hot cocoa tops red wine and tea in antioxidants (Cindy liked this one as she is a big chocolate fan)
Kids, antioxidants & asthma

I hope you’ve found this useful. Yawn. I’m ready for another topic by now! ^..^

Still purringly yours,

Guido

P.S. Thanks to all who responded to the guggul question – over 90% said “paws up.” We’ll get back to work!

Meanwhile, we’ll have Milk Thistleand Acetyl-L-Carnitine soon and DHEA will be back in stock in June.

Stay tuned!

Guido Housemouser (The Enforcer) ^..^
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op
931 Village Blvd, Suite 905-480
West Palm Beach FL 33409

“Making Health Affordable Together”