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General Nutrition > Antioxidants > Flashcards

Antioxidants Flashcards

1
Q

What is an antioxidant?

A

A compound that helps protect against free radical damage

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2
Q

Where are free radicals generated?

A

Free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated in the mitochondria as a byproduct of the conversion of calories and oxygen into ATP

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3
Q

Which potent free radical protector requires Vitamin C for its synthesis?

A

Vitamin C is required to regenerate Vitamin E and is essential in producing the potent free radical protector GLUTATHIONE

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4
Q

Which cardiovascular marker has been shown to correspond to Vitamin C levels?

A

Homocysteine levels, the fat of which means a positive Vitamin C effect in free radical removal in hyperhomocysteinema

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5
Q

Why might Acerola Cherry be more beneficial than ascorbic acid in therapy?

A

As well as a high content of Vitamin C, it contains the bioflavonoids - rutin and hesperidin

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6
Q

Which antioxidant has been shown to prevent oxidative stress in neuronal (nerve) tissue?

A

Alpha Lipoic Acid

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7
Q

What are some of the benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid? [x4]

A
  1. Acts uniquely as a potent antioxidant in protecting both fat and water soluble free radicals
  2. Enhances the effect of other antioxidants
  3. Prevents oxidative stress in nerve tissue.
  4. Helps maintain glutathione levels
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8
Q

Which antioxidant might you consider increasing to help reduce the risk of sunburn?

A

Beta carotene

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9
Q

What are some of the benefits of beta carotene? [x2]

A
  1. Reduced risk of various diseases including cancer and heart disease.
  2. Prevention of UV damage in humans
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10
Q

Which neurological disease has been found to exhibit low levels of CoQ10?

A

Parkinson’s Disease

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11
Q

What are some of the benefits of CoQ10 aka ubiquinone? [x4]

A
  1. Involved in production of ATP
  2. Reduce lipid per oxidation and assist Vitamin E in protecting cell membranes and lipids such as LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
  3. Beneficial in neurological disorders (has been shown that Parkinson’s disease patients have decreased levels of CoQ10)
  4. Stimulate healing of gastric ulcers
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12
Q

What is glutathione?

A

A tripeptide comprising three amino acids - cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine.

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13
Q

How does glutathione work?

A

It combines with selenium to form glutathione peroxidase which helps protect against lipid per oxidation and reduces the cross linkage of protein (marker of ageing).

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14
Q

What else has glutathione been shown to be effective for?

A

Removing heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and aluminium from the body

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15
Q

What are OPCs?

A

Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are the pigment materials that give flavour, colour and aroma to many fruits and plants. They are powerful flavonoid antioxidants

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16
Q

Why are OPCs so beneficial?

A
  1. They protect agains free radical damage and the antioxidant effect is 50 times greater than that of Vitamin C and E.
  2. They have been shown to improve retinopathies, venous insufficiency and vascular fragility.
17
Q

What is a good example of an OPC?

A

Grape see and pine bark extract (Pycnogenol)

18
Q

What have observational studies noted about lutein and zeaxanthin?

A

A higher dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is related to reduced risk of cataracts and age related macular degeneration [painless eye condition]

19
Q

Why is Selenium beneficial as an antioxidant?

A

Works with Vitamin E in preventing free radical damage to cell membranes
A high concentration of selenium is found within GSH in sperm and within the testes, suggesting that supplementation of infertile men may improve motility of sperm cells and increased chance of conception.

20
Q

Which lipid rich tissue does Vitamin E help protect?

A

Nerve

21
Q

What are some of the benefits of Vitamin E?

A
  1. Stablise and protect against oxidative damage caused by free radicals, heavy metals and environmental toxins in the cell membranes.
  2. Maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
  3. Protecting against cancer and other ailments.
22
Q

How is Zinc important?

A

It is involved in many physiological processes and has particular importance as an antioxidant. Zinc appears to play an important role in the macula, brain (Alzheimer’s disease), immune functions, skin health and prostrate function.
Zinc has an important function in the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD)

23
Q

What is Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)?

A 
Superoxide dismutases (SOD) are enzymes that alternately catalyze the dismutation (or partitioning) of the superoxide (O2−) radical into either ordinary molecular oxygen (O2) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Superoxide is produced as a by-product of oxygen metabolism and, if not regulated, causes many types of cell damage. 
Thus, SOD is an important antioxidant defense in nearly all living cells exposed to oxygen.
24
Q

Astralagus

A

Exerts antioxidant effects through increased superoxide dismutase activity of red blood cells and reduced lipid per oxidation content

25
Q

Bilberry

A

Contain flavonoids shown to prevent free radical damage due to their potent antioxidant content.

26
Q

Cranberry

A

Rich in potent antioxidant compounds including anthocyandins, quercitin and chlorogenic acid.
One of the richest sources of phenolic compounds demonstrating anti-proliferative effects in human cancer cells.

27
Q

Ginger

A

Proven to be highly effective with its ability to scavenge a number of free radicals and protect cell membrane lipids from oxidation.

28
Q

Gingko

A

Exert a profound widespread influence on tissues including membrane stabilising, antioxidant effects.
Also enhances the utilisation of oxygen and glucose.

29
Q

Olive leaf

A

Contains oleuropein which has been found to decrease blood pressure and dilate the coronary arteries surrounding the heart.
Also inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol

30
Q

Reservatrol

A

Protects cells from biochemical damage from free radicals.

Inhibition of superoxide

31
Q

Rhodiola

A

Rich source of polyphenols

Known to reduce GSH depletion in red blood cells

32
Q

Rosehips

A

Can inhibit ROS thus offering protection against free radical damage and oxidative stress

33
Q

Schisandra berry

A

Exhibit protective action in oxidative stress-associated disorders such as ageing-related brain ischaemia (lack of blood supply)

34
Q

Turmeric

A

Shown to protect against free radical damage to DNA.

Shown to raise body’s own antioxidant systems through increasing glutathione levels

General Nutrition (13 decks)

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