Antioxidants, the disease fighter

All living organisms require oxygen without which life cannot be sustained.  Of all the elements oxygen is the most vital element of the human body. Oxygen is life –giving and life sustaining element. All the body’s activities like brain function, respiration, elimination of waste are regulated by oxygen.

Around 90% of the body’s energy is created by oxygen. The body’s ability to think, feel and act is done by the energy supplied from oxygen. Oxygen initiates chemical reactions that metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to produce energy.

Human body is made up of several millions of cells. They require oxygen for their proper functioning. Optimum health can be achieved by our body only when our cells perform efficiently. In our body oxygen combines with various elements to burn or to reduce them for various purposes. This is called oxidation.

Oxidation is the interaction between oxygen molecules and other substances ranging from metals to living tissues. For example:

1.When iron is exposed to atmosphere it begins to rust. Rusting of iron is oxidation.

2.When a freshly cut apple turns brown oxygen of the atmosphere reacts with the apple to turn it brown.

Oxidation is a normal cellular function that goes on continuously throughout the day. Oxidation is a natural process that happens during the normal cellular functions called cell metabolism.

It is essential for:

• various metabolic activities
• better circulation of blood to various organs.
• assimilation, digestion, elimination of waste products
• purification of blood from toxic substances
• strengthening the immune system
• healing diseased organs and organ systems
• repairing  the worn out and damaged  cells
• recuperation from disease  during sleep
• keeping the body healthy

Oxygen is the most essential component of all living functions of the body. When oxygen interacts with cells of any type, whether it is an apple slice or an iron nail or any living tissue in our body, oxidation occurs. The negative side of oxygen is that it is highly reactive and damaging. It can damage body cells and tissues. That is what we see in the case of an apple slice turning brown. 

The cause of this “oxidative damage” is because of oxygen-containing molecules. They are mostly unstable. They are highly energized molecules that contain an unpaired electron.  During the process of cell metabolism about 2% of the cells are either killed or damaged and turns into free radicals. The free radicals generated in the body takes electrons from nearby molecules, damaging vital cell components and body tissues.

The free radicals often injure the cells, damaging the DNA, which creates the seed for various diseases. When a cell's DNA changes, the cell undergoes mutation. It grows abnormally and reproduces abnormally and quickly. These free radicals attack the healthy cells of our body causing number of diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, decline in brain function and the immune system.  

The free radicals are generated by certain external sources like air pollution. Food and water also harbor free radicals. Contamination of food, polluted water and contaminated water produce free radicals.  Nowadays, spraying chemical pesticides to crops has also contributed to increase in production of free radicals. Exposing our skin to sunlight also hasten the production of free radicals.

Habits like cigarette smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages also increases the production of free radicals in our body causing health disorders like cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc. Stopping smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages help to preserve health. Free radicals are dangerous because they do not damage just one molecule. But they trigger a chain reaction destroying body’s natural defense mechanism. 

Today, people need to guard against pollution of different kinds. We live in the toxin filled environment. So the oxidative burden on the body is much higher than earlier days. Certain substances known as antioxidants can help prevent this kind of damage. There is a special relationship between oxidative damage and antioxidant protection. 

Antioxidants work to stop the damaging, disease-causing chain reaction that free radicals have started. Each type of antioxidant works either to prevent the chain reaction or stop it after it has started. 

There are three main types of antioxidants. They are:

 A: Enzymes   B: Vitamins   C: Phytochemicals

 A: Enzymes

Antioxidant enzymes are antioxidants that can be uniquely synthesized in the human body. They are made from the protein and minerals in the food we eat. It is important to have good quality protein and minerals in our daily food.

 B: Vitamins

Vitamins cannot be created by our bodies. Vitamins need to be supplemented every day, without fail. The typical antioxidant vitamins are vitamins A, C, E, and M (folic acid) etc.

  C: Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals are antioxidants created by many plants to protect themselves and it has been found that if people ingest these plants, the phytochemicals also work as antioxidants within our bodies.  Flavonoids, poly phenol, carotinoids are some of the phytochemicals to neutralize the free radical assault. 

The body needs a combination of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, E, and minerals like potassium, calcium, selenium etc to neutralize these adverse effects of free radicals. Multivitamins and vitamin supplements can provide the body with an antioxidant boost.  However eating variety of healthy foods prepared from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes is very important as it boosts the percentage of antioxidants and decreases the production of free radicals. One must have multiple servings of fruits and vegetables to increase the percentage of antioxidants in the body.

The health benefits of Antioxidants are as follows:

• increased energy
• better resistance to  
• colds & flu
• softer, younger-looking skin
• relief from allergies
• relief from asthma
• improved circulation
• weight loss
• prevention of high blood pressure
• improved digestion
• relief from arthritis
• help in controlling diabetes
• improved sleep
• relief from menstrual symptoms
• better memory, concentration

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder. It increases oxidation of glucose to form free radicals. Patients suffering from diabetes will be exposed to the following pathological conditions:

1. Oxidative stress resulting in decreased insulin production or impaired insulin secretion of the pancreas.

2.  Production of antioxidant enzymes will be abnormal and the enzyme activities will be lower than the normal.

In this century, diabetes is affecting the world population vigorously. This disease is spreading like a wild fire.  About 347 million people worldwide have diabetes. It is becoming a killer disease of the human population. WHO projects that diabetes will be the major cause of death in 2030.

The main reason for the wide spread of this disease is improper food habits, polluted environment, non inclusion of proper percentage of fruits, vegetables, cereals and pulses (large percentage of antioxidants are found in these) and lack of proper exercise. It is very important to fight against this deadly disease to save humanity. The treatment should counteract free radical production and increased insulin production.

The need of the day is to bring out proper single medical formulation containing enzyme rich natural antioxidants from fruits, proper mix of necessary vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals extracted from plants.  Moreover, all the people including the diabetics should be educated via various available social media through documentary films about the importance of eating proper balanced diet.  Health education should start from the primary school. Importance of staying healthy and remaining healthy should be stressed. Eating right will pave way to stay and remain healthy. Balanced diet is the only remedy to maintain health at all ages. After all “Health is Wealth”.