Chapter 10

• What are antioxidants?

  Molecules that inhibit oxidation, protect the cell
• Nutrients with antioxidant properties include A, C, E, and selenium (ACES)
• Oxi-redox reactions are also known as exchange reactions when the electron switching is even
• What are free radicals?

  loss of electrons leaving an odd number of electrons
• Unstable atoms are also known as free radicals
• Metabolic processes and other environmental factors cause free radical formation.
• Radicals and destabilize other molecules and damage cells
• Cell membrane damage, damaged phosphos. can cause the membrane to loose it's integrity
• Free radicals can damage LDLs, cell proteins, and DNA
• They cab increase the risk of chronic disease like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cataracts, and alzheimers
• Antioxidants stabalize free radicals or oppose oxidation
• Antioxidants donate their own electrons or hydrogens to stabilize radicals or reduce oxidation damage
• Antioxidant enzyme systems convert free radicals to less damaging substacnes
• Antioxidants can break down free fatty acids that have become more oxidized
• Superoxide dismutase converts free radicals to less damaging substances like hydrogen peroxide
• Catalase remove hydrogen peroxide from the body
• Glutathione peroxidase removes hydrogen peroxide
• Iron is part of catalase structure
• CVD is the leading cause of death within the united states
• CVD manifests itself as heart attack and stroke
• Low grade inflammation can be more important that elevated cholesterol levels
• Plaques in blood vessels are more weakened and more likely to burst,
• The weakened plaque can lodge in vessels and cut off blood supply, this results in a heart attack or stroke
• Antioxidants can reduce damage to blood vessels
• Antioxidants are found in fruits veg and whole grains