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Antioxidants
DESCRIPTION
Also known as free radical scavengers, antioxidants work to
reduce the incidence of free radical species. Health benefits
include the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. Antioxidants
are naturally found in food and are also available as dietary
supplements and botanical products. Some the main ones include:
Alpha-lipoic acid, Bilberry,
CoenzymeQ10, Cysteine, Ginkgo
biloba, Glutathione, Grape Seed Extract, Green
Tea, Milk
Thistle, Pycnogenol, Selenium, Superoxide Dismutase, Beta
Carotene (and other Carotenoids ) Vitamin C , Vitamin E and
Zinc.
SUGGESTED INTAKES
Refer to individual antioxidants.
SUPPLEMENTAL USES
Cancer:
The ability of Beta Carotene (pro-Vitamin A ) to protect against
certain cancers in humans has been well documented. The use
of beta-carotene to treat light-triggered pathologies possibly
mediated by a singlet oxygen radical has been successful.
Liver disease:
Some very strong antioxidants, such as Milk Thistle, can benefit
patients with liver disease, including Cirrhosis, chronic
Hepatitis, and fatty infiltration of the liver due to alcohol
or other toxins. These antioxidants can increase basal levels
of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver by 35%. They also
prevent GSH depletion by alcohol and liver toxins. (1,2)
Exercise Tolerance:
Vitamin E , the best-documented free radical scavenger, may
increase tolerance during strenuous exercise. Studies have
shown that one form of Vitamin E , alpha-tocopherol, enhances
the endurance of rats performing heavy exercise. Alpha-tocopherol
may protect against the lipid peroxides that are normally
produced under heavy physical exertion. Together with Selenium,
Vitamin E protects against oxidative stress. (3,4)
Free radical scavenging:
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) circulates extracellularly and
scavenges superoxide anion radicals. As a metallo enzyme,
it requires adequate concentrations of metals, such as Zinc,
Copper , and Manganese .
Asthma and Hay Fever:
Antioxidants may be beneficial for asthma and Hay Fever patients
due to their ability to strengthen the Immune System. A suggested
combination of antioxidants includes Vitamin
C (5) with Quercetin,
Vitamin E , and
selenium.
SAFETY
Toxicity varies with different
antioxidants. Please refer to individual antioxidants for
specific information.
Particular caution should
be taken with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated
hydroxyanisole (BHA) supplements (6,7,8,9). BHT and BHA are
two common food preservatives that are "generally recognised
as safe" (GRAS) by the FDA.
INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Please refer to individual
antioxidants for specific information.
REFERENCES
1. Hikino, H. , Y. Kiso,
H. Wagner & A. Fiebig. Antihepatotoxic actions of favanolignans
from Silybum marianum fruits. Planta Medica. 1984. 50; 248-250.
2. Wagner, H. Plant constituents with antihepatotoxic activity.
Natural Products as Medicinal Agents. J. L. Beal & R.
Reinhard. eds. Hippokrates-verlag: Stuttgart, 1981.
3. Burton, G. W. , A. Joyce, & K. V. Ingold. First proof
that Vitamin E is a major lipid-soluble, chain-breaking antioxidant
in human blood plasma. Lancet. 1982. II; 327.
4. Dillard, C. J. et aL. Effects of exercise, Vitamin E , and
ozone on pulmonary function and lipid peroxidation. JAP. 1978.
45; 927-932.
5. Walji, Hasnain. 1995, Nutrients For Health - Vitamin C
. Thorsons - Harper Collins, London.
6. Babich, H. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) - a review. EnvironRes.
1982. 29; 1-29.
BHT, BHA. Editorial, Int J Biosocial Res. 1983. 4(2); 61.
7. Clapp, N. K. , L. C. Satterfield & N. D. Bowles. Effects
of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on mortality
in BALB/c mice. J GerontoL. 1979. 34; 497-501.
8. Stokes, J. & C. Scudder. The effects of butylated hydoxyanisole
and butylated hydroxytolulene on behavioral development of
mice. Develop PsychobioL. 1974. 7; 343-350.
9. Vorhees, C. V. , R. E. Butcher, R. L. Brunner & T.
Sobotka. Developmental neurobehavioral toxicity of butylated
hydroxtoluene in rats. Food Cosmet ToxicoL. 1981. 19; 153-162.
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