Hundreds of various health promoting antioxidants can be found
throughout nature. And while all antioxidants are great for the body,
the purpose of today’s article is to focus in on five specific nutrients
that form what is called the network antioxidants. Scientists have
singled out these key players due to how they interact with one another
and play an essential role in promoting optimal health. The network
antioxidants consist of alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C,
coenzyme Q10, and glutathione.
Before we go any further, I want to be sure that you understand what
antioxidants are and the role they play in the human body. In short,
antioxidants are chemicals that help prevent cellular damage by blocking
the harmful actions of free radicals. A free radical is an atom with
an odd (unpaired) number of electrons. Free radicals cause damage by
attempting to steal electrons from our healthy cells in effort to become
stable (paired). This process can cause a domino effect in the body
and wreak havoc on our health. Free radical damage has been linked to
numerous maladies such as premature aging, Alzheimer’s, arthritis,
cancer, diabetes, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, periodontal
disease, stroke, inflammation, and more.
In effort to quench their need for an electron, free radicals will
attack any molecule including our very own DNA! However, with that said
not all functions of free radicals jeopardize our health. Believe it or
not, free radicals actually have an essential role in the body. For
example, free radicals help regulate the diameter of blood vessels,
neutralize harmful microbes, and destroy cancer cells. It is only when
free radicals are present in excess or in the wrong place at the wrong
time that the seeds for disease are planted.
In order to disarm free radicals and prevent them from making an
onslaught on our vitality, it’s imperative that our bodies have an ample
supply of antioxidants. According to Dr. Lester Packer, a leading
expert in the field of free radicals and antioxidants, the network
antioxidants play a major role in this battle. The network antioxidants
have certain qualities that separate themselves from other antioxidants
due to their keen ability to regenerate and increase the effectiveness
of one another.
Alpha-lipoic acid is widely regarded as the most versatile and
powerful antioxidant in the entire antioxidant defense network.
According to Dr. Packer, alpha-lipoic acid is a metabolic antioxidant
that plays an important role in energy production and can help in the
prevention and therapy of chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes
and cardiovascular disease as well as preventing damage from a stroke.
The body is capable of making alpha-lipoic acid but it can also be
supplemented and found in red meat, organ meats (such as liver), yeast
(particularly brewer’s yeast), and spinach.
Vitamin E is perhaps one of the most widely known and studied
vitamins and antioxidants. It has been linked to reducing the risk to
heart disease and cancer as well as preventing the oxidation of
cholesterol and relieving symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E can
be found in many foods including vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, green
leafy vegetables, eggs, avocado, and wheat germ oil. It is also
available as a supplement.
Vitamin C is a potent free radical quencher that plays a pivotal role
in promoting a strong immune system. Research suggests that vitamin C
can help in the prevention of cancer, boost immune function, strengthen
and repair tissues in all parts of the body, and protect the eyes
against cataracts. Fruits and vegetables are the best source of vitamin C
and include citrus fruits, mango, papaya, berries, broccoli, peppers,
leafy greens, and tomatoes.
Coenzyme Q10 (CO Q10) has been dubbed the heart healthy antioxidant
and commonly used in the treatment of heart and blood vessel conditions
such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain (angina), and high
blood pressure. CO Q10 plays an essential role in producing energy
within our cells. With over 2 million heart cells working around the
clock, you can begin to see the direct correlation between CO Q10 and
heart health. CO Q10 has also been shown to be helpful in the treatment
of periodontal disease, strengthening the immune system, and preventing
cancer. CO Q10 is made by the body but can also be taken as a
supplement. Food sources of CO Q10 include oils, seeds, nuts, meat,
fish, and sulfurous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower.
Glutathione is coined the nature’s master antioxidant and widely
considered the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and
prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia and more! Glutathione is
produced by liver and has been shown to promote healthy liver function,
rejuvenate the immune system, regulate inflammatory responses, and
prevent damage to our cells and tissues. Medical professionals use
glutathione injections to help offset the poisonous side effects of
chemotherapy. Natural sources of glutathione include sulfur-rich
vegetables such as garlic, onions, parsley and cruciferous vegetables,
high-quality whey protein, eggs, and meat.
Medical professionals estimate that more than 70 percent of Americans
will die prematurely from diseases caused by or compounded by oxidative
stress and deficiencies in antioxidants. Although antioxidants are
readily available in supplemental form, it’s encouraged that you make
natural foods your primary source. Just keep in mind, despite the ample
evidence to support the health promoting effects of antioxidants it’s a
person’s age, lifestyle, and genetics that will ultimately determine
one’s overall state of health.
To learn more about antioxidants and their health promoting effects I
encourage you to read the work of Dr. Lester Packer. Dr. Packer is a
leading expert in molecular, cellular, and physiological aspects of free
radical and antioxidant metabolisms in biological systems.
