The Major Antioxidants

Antioxidants - Part One

Here are the major antioxidants and the effect they have on our bodies:

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin important in vision and bone growth. It also strengthens the immune system, quickens wound healing and aides in the growth of healthy skin.

RDA: Males 900 - 3000 mcg (3000 - 10000 IU) per day; Females 700 - 3000 mcg (2300 -10000 IU) per day. Note that Vitamin A can build up to toxic levels in the body, so be sure not to exceed these dosages.

It was thought that Vitamin A in the form of beta carotene might be a cancer fighter, but clinical studies proved otherwise. Experts now recommend that the general population avoid beta-carotene entirely.

In addition to a supplement, Vitamin A can be applied topically in the form of Retinol, and in prescription drugs such as Retin-A, Renova and Accutane. These creams are used to treat acne and are also exfoliators. The cause old skin cell to slough off, stimulating new cell growth and reducing fine line and wrinkles.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the body's most important water-soluble antioxidant nutrient and is involved in a wide variety of biochemical reactions throughout the body.

Included in its functions is the synthesis of collagen, the basis of connective tissues, found in virtually every cell of the body, including the skin.

It also helps support healthy immune functions and overall health.

Vitamin C may help to: reduce the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer: improve immune function: maintain healthy skin and blood vessels: accelerate healing and reduce allergic reactions

Dosage recommendations for Vitamin C are all over the map: 60-95 mg per day according to US Food and Nutrition Board, 2001 revision.

However, some researchers have calculated the amount needed for an adult human to achieve similar blood serum levels as Vitamin C synthesizing mammals as follows:

• 400 mg per day - Linus Pauling Institute & US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Recommendation.
• 3000 mg per day - Vitamin C Foundation's recommendation.
• 6000-12000 mg per day - Thomas Levy , Colorado Integrative Medical Center recommendation.
• 6000-18000 mg per day - Linus Pauling's daily recommendation.

High doses (thousands of mg) may result in diarrhea, which is harmless if the dose is reduced immediately.

1000 mg a day seems a reasonable dosage.

Vitamin C, in the form of an ester, (usually packaged with antioxidants DMAE and Alpha Lipoic Acid) is used in topical solutions with great antiaging effects. Reviva Labs Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Night Cream is a good example of such a cream. The visible effects are almost immediate and become more impressive with continued use.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E exists in eight different forms or isomers, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Each form has its own biological activity, the measure of potency or functional use in the body.

Alpha-tocopherol is traditionally recognized as the most active form of vitamin E in humans, and is a powerful biological antioxidant. The other isomers are slowly being recognized as research begins to demonstrate their additional roles in the human body.

A form of Vitamin E that is thought to be even more powerful are called tocotrienols. Research has shown that they may be even more effective in preventing coronary artery disease.

Commercially available blends of natural vitamin E include "mixed tocopherols" and "high gamma tocopherol" formulas which contain more than the tocopherol normally found in a Vitamin E supplement. Country Life Vitamin E Complex is such a mixed tocopherol supplement.

Vitamin E was thought to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, protect cells and help prevent cardiovascular disease.

However, new research is casting doubt on the need to take Vitamin E, at least in its most common form, d-alpha tocopherol, in order to prevent chronic disease.

Preliminary results of tests of Vitamin E's ability to combat heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease seem to indicate that the vitamin doesn't reduce the risk of these diseases and may even place you at greater risk.

The only disease it seems to be helpful in combating is macular degeneration. Even then the vitamin should only be taken under a doctor's supervision.

It is unclear whether or not the other forms of Vitamin E are also risky or not. The best bet at this time is to consult your doctor.

RDA: Males 11 mg or 16.5 IU: Females 15 mg or 22.5 IU.

However,the health risk of too much vitamin E is low. A recent review of the safety of vitamin E in the elderly indicated that taking vitamin E supplements for up to four months at doses of 530 mg or 800 IU (35 times the current RDA) had no significant adverse effect on general health, body weight, levels of body proteins, lipid levels, liver or kidney function, thyroid hormones, amount or kinds of blood cells, and bleeding time.

Even though this study provides evidence that taking a vitamin E supplement containing 530 mg or 800 IU for four months is safe, the long term safety of vitamin E supplementation has not been authoritatively tested.

The Institute of Medicine has set an upper tolerable intake level for vitamin E at 1,000 mg (1,500 IU) for any form of supplementary alpha-tocopherol per day because the nutrient can act as an anticoagulant and increase the risk of bleeding problems.

Upper tolerable intake levels "represent the maximum intake of a nutrient that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects in almost all individuals in the general population".

A recent study at Johns Hopkins however, suggests that "Vitamin E supplements, which millions take in the hope of longer, healthier lives, may do more harm than good."

Vitamin E also comes as a topical solutions, such as Derma E Vitamin E Creme. In cream form it promotes the healing of wounds and inflammation, while providing strong antioxidant protection.

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