The biochemistry of the human body is an extremely complex field of knowledge, but much public interest is often riveted on discoveries in this area (think of Linus Pauling with his vitamin C). The oxidative processes that take place in our bodies are just one of those topics around which the controversy, barely subsided, is gaining new strength. And antioxidants, like vitamin C overdoses once were, have been heralded as either the panacea for all diseases or almost their source. As a result, the question "To drink antioxidants or not to drink?" seems so confusing that you just want to figure it out.
Oxygen burner
Oxygen is one of the most important elements on earth. Life is impossible without it. However, in the human body it plays not only a vital, but also a rather dangerous role. On the one hand, oxygen contributes to the oxidation of nutrients that enter the body from the outside, with the subsequent release of energy necessary for life. But on the other hand, uncontrolled oxidative processes take place with the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS): superoxide O 2 – , hydroxyl radical OH – , hydrogen peroxide H 2 O 2 . These substances, so to speak, burn the cell from the inside and can even lead to its death.
In the 1950s, the free-radical theory of aging, authored by Denham Harman, emerged. By the 1980s, it had evolved into the mitochondrial theory of aging, according to which ROS produced by mitochondria are the cause of age-related degenerative changes.
With the advent of this theory, antioxidants began to gain popularity.
Antioxidants: no flammability
Antioxidants are a group of different substances that have a common property: the ability to bind free radicals (including ROS) and slow down oxidative processes.
Antioxidants include some vitamins (A, C, E); minerals: chromium, manganese, zinc, selenium, copper; carotenoids: beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin; bioflavonoids: quercetin, dehydroquercetin, etc.
Antioxidants are a natural mechanism for providing body cells with adequate protection against particles of reactive oxygen species. As long as you take these beneficial substances, your body will resist aging caused by constant exposure to pollutants. The aging process will not stop, but it will slow down significantly. If antioxidants are not enough to overcome free radicals, then the body is threatened by oxidative stress, which accelerates organ and tissue damage.
Nature has taken care, but ... not for everything
Fortunately, our body also has protective systems against unwanted oxidation. There are special enzymes involved in neutralizing reactive oxygen species and reducing them to water. Oxidative damage to proteins and DNA that can still be reversed is repaired by special repair enzymes, and molecules that have undergone irreversible changes are destroyed. Thus our body is endowed with natural antioxidants and is able to take care of itself .
But sometimes the body's antioxidant systems fail, and then reactive oxygen species can cause significant damage.
Oxygen torch: fire on the enemy
И все пак през последните няколко десетилетия отношението на учените към реактивните кислородни видове се промени драстично. Всичко започна с откриването в клетките на имунната система на ензима NADPH оксидаза , чиято единствена функция е да произвежда реактивни кислородни видове за борба с патогенни организми. С негова помощ макрофагите “напояват” нежелани гости с токсични молекули на супероксид, водороден прекис, хипохлорит и др. по време на така наречената “окислителна експлозия”.
It is now known that reactive oxygen species are involved in the regulation of many processes in the cell, affecting the rate of cell division and differentiation as well as other cellular functions. Numerous studies have shown that reactive oxygen species are involved in the synthesis of certain compounds (e.g. thyroid hormones), the regulation of connective tissue cell motility, blood vessel and nerve ending growth, etc.
More is not better
Based on the above, we can conclude that antioxidants are necessary and important! It is important not to use high doses in order not to overdo antioxidant reactions, as oxidative reactions in the body also play an important positive role. When choosing a dietary supplement with an antioxidant, look at the dosage.
And the "the more the better" principle is not about antioxidants. You need a measure. Recommended doses in this country and in the EU are regulated by TR TS 022/2011 (Annex 2) and EAEU (Annex 5).