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Antioxidant Supplements perform many roles in the body. They are part of a number of different processes. These processes include protecting against the production of reactive oxygen and protecting cell lipids, particularly the lipids of the cell membrane wall. Antioxidants are also important for detoxification, mitochondrial function, and permeability related conditions. Reactive oxygen molecules are free radicals and inflict damage upon many tissues of the body, but in particular the neurons, causing pathological alterations that lead to dysfunction, disease and death. Many neurologic disorders have been associated with the high levels of reactive oxygen species that are created by increased levels of nitric oxide produced by the stimulation of nitric oxide synthase. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Lou Gerig's Disease), Alzheimer's disease, dementia, epilepsy, Huntington's Chorea, Parkinson's Disease, and stroke have been associated with injury to neurons.[1] Iron and oxygen free radicals can damage fats and after a series of reactions produce lipid peroxides. It is well documented that lipid peroxide levels have been associated with an increase in atherosclerotic disease. The direct result is conditions resulting from cardiac and cerebral ischemia. Levels of serum lipid peroxides have also been seen in allergies, asthma, cancers, heavy metal toxicity, irradiation, and respiratory distress syndrome.[2] Reactive oxygen intermediates are produced during the phase 1 detoxification process that occurs in one of the most active pathways in the liver. Nutritional antioxidant support is required for handling these and safely removing them from this vital area. [3] It is a complex group of mechanisms that work in concert to keep the mitochondrial environment free of free radicals. Antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, carnitine, glutathione, cysteine, carotinoids, flavonoids, the B vitamins and vitamins C and E, and the minerals copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc, provide good nutritional support, factors and cofactors for these mechanisms. The very fact of the nature of mitochondrial activity using oxygen and electron transfer to produce the energy for the body creates a state of oxidative stress. These mirconutrients are all the more important to maintain balance in this vital area. [4] Leaky gut syndrome is a an example of a permeability problem of the intestines. So is irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerations of the gastric and intestinal lining. Antioxidants play a supporting and correcting role in many of the phases in resolving the issues from free radicals that need to be scavenged to repairing the intestinal cells and thus improving intestinal structure and function. [5] A diet rich in foods that contain the wide variety of antioxidants continues to be the mainstay of disparate disease prevention and reversal in some instances. Supplementation can fill in the gaps and provide consistent protective coverage and adequate amounts in situations of increased demand. Reference Bland, J. S., Lisa, D., et. al., CLINICAL NUTRITION, A FUNCTIONAL APPROACH, The Institute of Functional Medicine, Gig Harbor, WA., 2004.
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