Our Heroes: Antioxidant Vitamins,
|
Together everyone achieves more! This is the team spirit shown by all antioxidant vitamins and phytochemicals in the body.
Not only do they work together in synergy with one another, they work against different types of free radicals in different parts of the body. Let’s welcome our heroes.
Water Soluble Antioxidant Vitamins
Vitamin C is the most effective as an antioxidant patrolling the sea of plasma (the liquid part of the blood) outside the cell, between cells.
Vitamin C scavenges free radicals before they can attack the fatty parts of the cell membrane. The cell membrane is like a gate-keeper of the cell fortress. Protecting it is of crucial importance.
As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C also protects the oxidation of LDL cholesterols within the plasma (imagine cholesterols as patrol boats used by fat soluble antioxidants), in particular the LDL cholesterol.
Oxidized or modified LDL becomes dangerous—it’s the basic component that ignites the process of the hardening of the arteries!
Another interesting role of vitamin C is that it regenerates vitamin E, which becomes inactive after disarming a free radical.
Looking for some good natural sources of vitamin C? Look no further. Why not check out this “sticky” vitamin C function as well while you're still around.
Fat Soluble Antioxidant Vitamins
Being a fat soluble antioxidant, vitamin E is incorporated right inside the fatty cell membrane. As mentioned above, cholesterols are like patrol boats used by fat soluble vitamins as a means of transportation within the water environment of the body.
Together with the carotenoids (another group of potent fat soluble antioxidants) vitamin E, while traveling inside the cell membrane of LDL cholesterol, is also protecting it from oxidation.
Carotenoid Antioxidants
Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigments found in yellow, red, green and orange vegetables and fruits.
They are divided into two groups: 'Carotenes' (alpha carotene, beta carotene, lycopene) and 'Xanthophylls' (lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin).
This class of phytochemicals are wonderful singlet oxygen radical scavengers. And like vitamin E, they can incorporate themselves into the cell membrane.
Beta carotene
An antioxidant with vitamin A activity. What this means is the body converts beta carotene into vitamin A when needed—any leftover will act as free radical quenchers.
High concentrations are found in green leafy vegetables and also in orange-coloured fruits and vegetables, e.g. in carrots.
Lycopene
Besides giving the tomato its typical red colour, this major carotenoid is also one hungry free radical quencher.
It’s also responsible for the deep red colour of several fruits, such as pink grapefruit, pink guava, watermelon, and rose hip.
Lutein/Zeaxanthin
Like beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin are yellow or orange pigments found in some fruits and vegetables, including egg yolk.
These two carotenoids accumulate in the retina of the eye and protect it from oxidative stress, which decreases the risk of macular degeneration. They too have pro-vitamin A activity.
Astaxanthin
The most powerful carotenoid antioxidant, astaxanthin, is 40 times more effective as an antioxidant than beta carotene; 500 to 1000 times more effective in inhibiting oxidation of lipids than vitamin E; has almost 4 times the antioxidant capacity of lutein; and more!
Endogenous Antioxidants
The main endogenous antioxidants are:
Glutathione
Nature’s most powerful antioxidant!
Glutathione is naturally produced in the body and is found in high concentrations in liver cells—for good reasons. It attaches to toxins, makes them harmless, and escorts them out of the body.
NOTE: To produce glutathione, our body needs other nutrients such as n-acetylcysteine (NAC) and amino acids, cysteine and methionine.
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that works closely with two other antioxidants, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), against the superoxide radicals.
It also recycles other antioxidants such as vitamins C, and subsequently, vitamin E to their original active form, so they can do their job more adequately.
Glutathione's health benefits have been more than outstanding; its efficacy has been confirmed in over 80,000 scientific studies! Truly a “master antioxidant” don't you think?
However, supplementation with glutathione (or L-glutathione) is not effective in most supplements for two reasons.
One, the ‘normal’ supplement glutathione simply could not pass through the intestinal walls into the blood stream. But a smaller ‘reduced’ form, which is a lot more expensive, will do the job.
Two, glutathione must be protected as it passes through the stomach before being released in the upper intestine. Hence, the supplement must be enteric coated.
Methionine
A unique amino acid, methionine is also a free radical scavenger that neutralizes the dangerous hydroxyl radicals.
Interestingly, during normal methylation process in the body, methionine is broken down into homocysteine which in turn is broken down to cysteine, or turn back to methionine again.
If the body's methylation is not working at an optimal level, in particular when turning homocysteine back to cysteine or methionine, it will translate into many different health problems and will accelerate your aging process!
Adequate levels of non antioxidant vitamins such as the B vitamins, B6, B12 and folic acid are required for homocysteine to remain in safe level.
Other potent nutrients that can help bring down the homocysteine level to a safe range are tri-methyl-glycine (TMG, also known as betaine) and SAMe.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
The many benefits of ALA allow it to ward off free radical damage more effectively than any other antioxidants. Unlike any other antioxidants, it can access all regions of the body.
ALA can enhance the production of cysteine, which in turn boosts glutathione levels to start working overtime. ALA regenerates vitamin C and E, COQ10 and even ALA itself in the body.
Unknown to many, ALA is also one of your liver's best friend. In fact, it's one of the most potent liver protector around.
And combine ALA with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) you get one powerful brain-heart nutrient combo!
Carnosine
Little is mentioned about this super antioxidant! Why? One reason is the steep price. As one of nature's multipurpose age-fighter carnosine quenches even the most destructive free radicals: the hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals, superoxide and singlet oxygen.
It even protects SOD from being oxidized by peroxyl while waging a war with other radicals.
Both carnosine and ALA help prevent glycation, one of the four main causes of aging and degenerative disease. Free radicals, methylation (above) and chronic inflammation are the other three.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 not only helps quench free radicals, it also super charges your heart and boosts energy levels.
Requires amino acid, tyrosine and at least eight vitamins and several trace minerals for the body to produce CoQ10!
Antioxidant Support System
There must also be ample amounts of antioxidant support minerals like manganese, zinc, copper and selenium.
Copper, manganese and zinc are essential components of the SOD, a powerful intracellular antioxidant.
Selenium, on the other hand, is needed in the enzymatic function of the glutathione system.
The rests of the non antioxidant vitamins, the B vitamins, B1 and B2 also act as cofactors for the antioxidants—they are the behind the lines antioxidant support system.
Antioxidant Vitamins and Nutrients in a Bottle
Now don’t let all these big words confuse you. You just need to know one thing: Nutrients works best in combination with other nutrients—not on their own. this is SYNERGY in action.For example, while beta carotene itself is an excellent antioxidant, but mixed natural carotenoids can provide higher antioxidant ability than beta carotene alone.
On the same note, a mixture of natural vitamin Es is more health beneficial than just d-alpha tocopherol.
And yes, you can find ALL the nutrients, phytochemicals, antioxidant vitamins and minerals mentioned above (and some potent antioxidant flavonoids (chemical compounds from plants) such as green tea catechins conveniently packed (and protected) in a bottle.
This superior anti-aging supplement range, which is in a class of its own, addresses not only one, but ALL the major causes of aging, i.e. free radicals, methylation, glycation and inflammation!
And it gives you good value for money too! I've done a simple maths here to proof my point.
“It takes more than one nutrient to get a result in just one part of this very complex equation. Each part has to be addressed from multiple angles, and EVERY part of the equation also needs to be dealt with.”
Our modern world is rife with dietary and environmental toxins. No matter how careful we are, we’ll harbor toxins within our bodies. The major detoxification organs, the colon and liver, bear the brunt of these residual toxins. You can detox these organs with a colon or liver cleanse using all natural ingredients and products by DrNatura.
Related articles
Return from Antioxidant Vitamins to Homepage
- One of the most comprehensive anti-aging formula in the market today
- An effective natural supplement relied upon by thousands of customers in 45 countries
- Uses advanced technology, enteric coating and specialized nutrients for maximum efficacy
- Unequaled value for money. Here's proof!
- True to label. How do you know it?
“Just to tell you I placed a new order today for the Total Balance. I have now used it for 3 weeks, and I can tell you that it really gives a lot of energy.
I use it before i go to the gym, and I really feel the difference, I replaced the Double X from Amway, and TB is definitely better.
Besides, the craving for sweet is totally gone, my body feels satisfied. So thank you very much for your product.”
- Arild O, Dominican Republic
My husband will be relieved. He complains every morning about no energy. Guess he's a poster boy for Xtend-Life. Never believed in vitamins until I started giving him Xtend-Life, now he swears by them. Have a great day.Dee S, USA
- Tulsi Tea - A healthy holy alternative?
- See how this antioxidant skin recovery cream eliminate large bruise overnight. (pdf, 124KB)
- Your unsung hero. It’s the most under appreciated, forgotten and the most hard working …
- The remarkable health benefits of stinking rose!
- Eat sunscreen for glowing skin health?
“I had my first cup of White Goji Blossom at Spago in Colorado and fell in love with it rite away. I asked the server where I could buy some and he gave me this website, I ordered some as soon as I could and got my tea within 5 days! I now can enjoy my favorite tea any time of the day!”
- Momma Loo, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl