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Other Important AntiOxidants

AntiOxidants - Part Two

Other Important Antioxidants

Acetyl L-Carnitine - L-Carnitine

Acetyl L-Carnitine and L-Carnitine are related amino acids that have some similar functions, such as being involved in the metabolism of food into energy.

L-Carnitine supports fat metabolism and cardiovascular health by speeding up the transfer of fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes where they are burned for cellular energy. L-Carnitine reportedly improves exercise tolerance in people with angina.

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALC) is an amino acid-like compound that is related to choline. It may assist in the conversion of choline into acetlycholine.

Acetylcholine, one of the body's key neurotransmitters, chemically transmits messages from one nerve cell to another. It is thought that, like DMAE, the action of acetyl l-carnitine keeps muscle tone and skin firm by improving the transmission of nerve impulses.

Since ALC can pass through the blood-brain barrier, it is more efficient at rebuilding brain cells. So it is best to take both.

There is no RDA for either. I would suggest starting at 500 mg per day of each.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid, the universal antioxidant, is both oil and fat soluble, so it protects both the covering and the contents of our cells.

It plays many roles in our body: ALA helps steady blood sugar levels, helps convert food into energy, regulates vitamin C and E levels to keep the supply constant, improves insulin function and protects DNA.

Also Alpha Lipoic Acid plays a major role in protecting the skin from free radical damage.

This is a truly powerful and versatile antioxidant that should be part of every diet.

There is no RDA for Alpha Lipoic Acid. 100 mg per day should do wonders.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is also used in very effective antiwrinkle facial creams, usually in combination with Vitamin C Ester and DMAE.

The results are dramatic and get even better with continued use. Reviva Labs Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Night Cream is a fine example of this type of cream.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is another powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system, decreases blood sugar and protein in the urine, and reduces the risk of mouth, colon, beast and bladder cancer.

Astaxathin crosses the blood brain barrier and protects the brain and heart. Finally it has been shown to reduce the oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol which many doctors now feel leads to plaque buildup in the arteries.

4 mg is the recommended dose. It is best obtained from more fish in the diet.

Co-Enzyme Q-10

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble vitamin-like substance present in every cell of the body that aides in the production of energy within the cell. It also functions as an antioxidant.

Some of the benefits of CoQ-10 are: it can relieve congestive heart failure, alleviate angina, and reduce blood pressure: it helps burn off fat and boosts energy levels: it reduces the risk of certain cancers: and it preserves the antioxidant power of vitamin C.

It has no known toxicity or side effects. There is no RDA. 100 mg per day works wonders.

CoQ-10 also works wonders when applied to the skin. Peter Thomas Roth manufactures an excellent antiwrinkle and lifting cream, Co-Oxygen Q10 Cellular Wrinkle Repair that promotes healthy skin growth while providing antioxidant protection of CoQ-10.

Coffeeberry Extract

CoffeeBerry Extract only recently burst onto the antioxidant scene.

New Chapter, the world's leading grower and provider of whole-food cultured vitamins, minerals, and food supplements, has launched a line of supplements using Coffeeberry Extract. Coffeberry is a complex whole-food antioxidant with extraordinary ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity) values.

Coffeeberry is abundant in polyphenols that:

• Help preserve natural antioxidants in the body;
• Protect cell membranes and human plasma against damaging oxidation;
• Neutralize toxic free radicals; and
• Help maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

Studies on Coffeeberry as a topical antioxidant were reported to the American Academy of Dermatology at its 2006 annual meeting. In mid-2007, Steifel Labs launched its Coffeeberry skin treatment line Revaléskin.

There is evidence of the bioavailability of topical Coffeeberry Extract as well.

One study, conducted at the Institute of Anti-Aging Research in Virginia, reported that Coffeberry Extract significantly improved the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without allergic reaction or skin irritation.

Dermatologist Ken Beer, director of Palm Beach Esthetic, was quoted in the December 2007 issue of WebMD: the Magazine as saying that he's seen the science and is impressed. "I think this is going to be a major cosmeceutical ingredient."

DMAE

DMAE is a powerful antioxidant found in seafood.

Like Acetyl L-Carnitine, it is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. DMAE is being used to treat ADD and Alzheimer's, but it also has positive effects on muscle tone and facial smoothness.

DMAE can be taken in your diet, by increasing the amount of fish you eat, as a supplement and also used a face cream.

There is no RDA for DMAE. 100 mg seems sufficient.

Among other things, DMAE works synergistically with Vitamin C Ester and Alpha Lipoic Acid, helping those ingredients penetrate and work on the skin. It removes fine lines and wrinkles and tones the face and neck.

The benefits are more obvious with continued use. Reviva Labs Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Night Cream is an inexpensive way to try this type of antiwrinkle cream and see the benefits for yourself.

Grape Seed Extract

Grape Seed Extract, along with pycnogenol, an extract derived from maritime pine bark, are important sources of one of the most potent antioxidants, the proanthocyanidins.

Research has shown that they serve as anti-inflammatories, anti-histamines, anti-allergenics, and are major free radical scavengers. The proanthocyandins possess up to 50 times stronger antioxidant activity than Vitamins C & E, beta carotene or selenium.

Proanthocyanidins help promote tissue elasticity, help heal injuries, reduce swelling and edema, restore collagen and improve peripheral circulation.

Proanthocyanidins also prevent bruising, strengthen weak blood vessels, protect against atherosclerosis, and reduce histamine production.

Pycnogenol, which is derived from pine bark, contains 85% proanthocyanidin. Grape seed extract contains 95% proanthocyanidin and is far more affordable than pycnogenol.

There is no RDA for grape seed extract. Recommend dose is 50 mg a day.

Green Tea Extract

Green Tea Extract contains powerful antioxidants known as catechins. that have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and can even kill cancer cells without harming healthy surrounding tissue.

It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots.

It can also help the body fight infection, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and restore impaired immune functions.

The Japanese also believe that substances in green tea kill the bacteria responsible for food poisoning, suppress the formation of dental plaque, control blood pressure and slow the aging process.

Recent studies show that green tea extracts may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories, thus decreasing body fat.

There is no RDA for Green Tea. It can be drunk, but does contain caffeine. The extracts have been proven to be just as, if not more, effective.

Green tea is also available as a skin creams, such as Derma-E's Alpha Lipoic Acid & Green Tea Extract , which have shown promise in fighting skin inflammation and preventing skin cancers.

L-Carnosine

L-Carnosine has the remarkable ability to rejuvenate cells approaching senescence (the end of the life cycle of dividing cells), restoring normal appearance and extending cellular lifespan.

As an antioxidant, carnosine effectively quenches the most destructive of free radicals; the hydroxyl radical, superoxide, singlet oxygen, and the peroxyl radical. Research has shown that carnosine has antioxidant properties that protect and extend the functional life of the body's key building blocks, such as cellular DNA.

It has the ability to repair or remove damaged proteins, which play a part in diseases such as Alzheimer's. It also can bind to copper and chelate or remove it from the bloodstream.

Like many other antioxidants, it strengthens the immune system, speeds healing and recovery from muscle fatigue.

There is no RDA for carnosine and the proper dosage is in dispute. 200 mg per day seems to be a good starting point.

Lutein

Lutein is the main carotenoid found in the retina. Lutein works extremely well in protecting the retina against sunlight damage.

Supplementation with 6 mg – 20 mg of lutein daily may reduce the risk of macular degeneration by more than 50%. Many doctors have reported excellent results using 20 mg per day of lutein to promote healthy vision.

Lycopene

Lycopene is the most powerful single oxygen (free radical) quencher carotene available. It has been shown to have major protective effects throughout the body.

These include: reducing the risk of prostate cancer, preventing LDL cholesterol from being oxidized (LDL oxidation leads to heart disease and strokes), and reducing the risk of macular degeneration.

Lycopene is the source of the red coloring of tomatoes, red peppers, red grapefruit and watermelon. In spite of what you may have heard, there is a greater concentration of lycopene in watermelon than in tomatoes.

There is no RDA. 15 mg is a sufficient dose.

Selenium

Selenium is a trace element in humans. It is used in free radical elimination and other antioxidant enzymes, and also plays a role in the functioning of the thyroid gland.

It prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which leads to artery plaque buildup, strengthens the immune system and helps provide relief for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis and cuts the rate of certain cancers.

Dietary selenium comes from cereals, meat, fish, and eggs. Brazil nuts are a particularly rich source of selenium.

Selenium deficiency in healthy people is relatively rare. Results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicated that diets of most Americans provide the recommended amounts of selenium.

The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 55 micrograms per day. More than 400 micrograms per day can lead to toxicity.

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This article is for information only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.

 

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