Dears all,

In an era where doctors advice that we should not eat this or that, there are some vital nutrients to the body, which when not taken would make us sick - I am referring to none other than our dear Vitamins and Minerals.

As already discussed by Mridula (http://www.pharmainfo.net/mridula) antioxidants like vitamins and minerals are natural scavengers which neutralize the free radicals present in the body. In this blog, I am trying to explain in detail the antioxidant properties of vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin C-

Most of us know that citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, green pepper etc. are quite rich in Vitamin C ⁽¹⁾. Despite these easily available natural foods, the pharmaceutical industry provides a variety of vitamin C supplements. Why so much importance? This is because,

<!--[if !supportLists]-->O <!--[endif]-->Antioxidant ascorbate (Vitamin C) helps bind the cells together and strengthens blood vessel walls.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->O <!--[endif]-->It also helps in absorption of iron.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->O <!--[endif]-->It helps in maintenance of healthy gums.

Detailed mechanism of action of vitamin C ⁽²⁾

Ascorbate AscH^- as an antioxidant can donate a Hydrogen atom to a free radical molecule R^. , thereby neutralizing the free radical while becoming an ascorbate radical itself.

It can not only neutralize hydroxyl (OH^.), alkoxyl (^.OL) and peroxyl radicals by hydrogen donation, ascorbate can also neutralize the radical form of other antioxidants, such as glutathione (.GS) and Tocopherol (.Toc)

Now that we know how important Vitamin C, what if we do not taken food rich in it. Vitamin C deficiency leads to a disease condition called scurvy. It can also cause muscle weakness and bleeding gums.

In diabetic patients oxidative stress mainly caused due to deficiency of ascorbic acid, can cause damage of tissues and cells rapidly. ⁽³⁾

Ascorbic acid is a major fighter of cancer caused in stomach, rectum and cervix. ⁽³⁾

Vitamin D ⁽⁴⁾

Vitamin D is a membrane antioxidant:

Vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol) and its active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and also Vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol) and 7-dehydrocholesterol (pro-Vitamin D₃) all inhibit iron-dependent liposomal lipid peroxidation.

Sources ⁽¹⁾

Egg Yolk, Milk and exposure to sun.

Uses ⁽¹⁾

Helps to build and maintain teeth and bones. Enhances calcium absorption

Deficiency disease ⁽¹⁾

Osteoporosis and rickets in children and bone softening in adults.

Vitamin E

The major sources⁽¹⁾ of Vitamin E are corn or cottonseed oil, soyabean oil, wheat germ etc.

Vitamin E rich food is primarily given to low weight babies which do not absorb fats.

Detailed mechanism of vitamin E ⁽²⁾

It is moderately effective against singlet oxygen; it is effective antioxidant for terminating chain reaction for further lipid peroxidation.

Functions of vitamin E ⁽⁵⁾

Tocopherols are necessary for usual functions of the muscle.

Vitamin E works as a cofactor in the electron transfer system operating between cytochromes b and c.

Peroxidation and brown pigmentation due to formation of highly unsaturated fatty acids are prevented by the tocopherols.

Massive necrosis of the liver produced by the deficiency of sulphur containing amino acids and selenium are also prevented by tocopherols.

The development of encephalomalacia in chicks (cerebellar disorder) and exudative diathesis is due to deficiency of vitamin E and is relieved by administration of tocopherols. It is necessary for normal development of the early embryo.

Magnesium

Sources ⁽¹⁾ - spinach, beef, tofu, wheat bran.

For proper functioning of the brain, a constant supply of biochemical energy is needed which is given with the help of magnesium. When magnesium is depleted, then brain metabolism and power suffers.

What is the neccesity of Magnesium? ⁽⁶⁾

It helps to build the protective myelin sheaths that insulate the nerve fibers which network your nervous system.

Its main function is to activate enzymes which are needed for release of energy in the body. It is mainly needed by the cells for genetic material and bone growth.

Magnesium activates the main enzyme in cell membranes which controls the balance of sodium and potassium. This is absolutely essential to the electrical activity of nerve cells, as well as to the very existence of a cell. If its sodium-potassium ratio got too far out of balance, the cell would burst.

It activates glutamine synthetase, an enzyme which is responsible for converting waste ammonia - an extremely toxic byproduct of normal protein metabolism - into urea for proper disposal by excretion through urine.

Factors in Magnesium Loss ⁽⁶⁾

More consumption of alcohol depletes the level of magnesium, which may lead to sweating, shaking, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, agitation, and disturbances of memory.

Low Magnesium and Increased Stress ⁽⁶⁾

Excessive noise pollution or emotional exaggeration is the signs of low magnesium level.

Low levels of magnesium leads to nerves to fire too easily, even from minor stimuli. Because stress affects the kidneys' ability to recycle magnesium, hypersensitivity can continue to escalate. The brain may even cause stimulation of sleep.

Selenium ⁽⁷⁾

A cancer fighter

Sources ⁽¹⁾- sea foods, meats, grains etc.

It performs the following function

It interacts with vitamin E to prevent breakdown of fats and body chemicals.

It delays the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

A Chinese study indicates that, giving selenium supplements to people who live in selenium-deficient areas reduces the incidence of cancer.

References

1. http://www.changingshape.com/resources/references/vmchart.asp -Accessed on 15/2/2011
2. http://www.benbest.com/nutrceut/AntiOxidants.html - Accessed on 15/2/2011
3. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=Bt-0fyGXqVkC&pg=PA35&dq=vitamin-c+as+an+antioxidants&hl=en&ei=wexjTc2DLYSq8Aa_udjRCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=vitamin-c%20as%20an%20antioxidants& - Accessed on 20/2/2011
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8325381- Accessed on 28/2/2011
5. http://www.getallabout.com/vitamins/vitamins/vitamin-e.htm - Accessed on 20/2/2011
6. http://www.studiop.com/articles/antiox_mag.html Accessed on 28/2/2011
7. http://tsangenterprise.com/selenium.htm -Accessed on 28/2/2011

regards,

Seema Meena