What are Oxidants?
Oxidant chemicals, also called free radicals, are produced during normal aerobic cell
respiration. They also occur when phagocytes, the cells that fight infections, destroy
cells infected with bacteria or viruses, with bursts of nitric oxide, superoxide, and
hypochlorite; when fatty acids are digested; and when certain enzymes are activated to
fight toxins.
These free radicals damage the DNA that makes up our genes, those parts of the cell that
control its reproduction. Lesions in DNA give rise to mutations when the cell divides, and
these mutations can lead to tumors. (Other causes of DNA lesions and cell mutations are
radiation, sun exposure, occupational exposure to chemicals, and — by far the worst
of these — tobacco smoke). |
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What role do oxidants play in the Ageing Process?
"Ageing appears to be in good part due to the oxidants produced as byproducts of
normal metabolism," according to Bruce N. Ames, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and
molecular biology at the University of California at Berkeley, and director of Berkeley's
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Center. |
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What are Anti-Oxidants? Where are they available?
Anti-Oxidants are those substances that act against oxidants to minimise the damage made
by them. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables play a big role in minimizing cell damage
by combining with and neutralizing free radicals. The most important antioxidants are
vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene, all present in a well-balanced diet. |
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If Anti-Oxidants are taken in sufficient quantity, will they
delay or stop the ageing process?
No, Anti-Oxidants will not delay ageing in healthy older people. But it does help to
minimise the damage made by several diseases especially those associated with old age.
Eg., Cancer, Neurological diseases, Complications of diabetes etc. But a lot of research
is being done to find out the role of anti-oxidants in preventing the ageing process.
It is not sufficient to just take anti-oxidants. Physical exercise and a health lifestyle
play a great role in dealing with ageing. Though exercise increases aerobic
respiration and the production of free radicals, it reinforces the body's
antioxidant defenses. It is also important to limit the consumption of red meat and
saturated fat. It would also be ideal if we could prevent infectious diseases. |
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How does the body react against oxidants?
Our bodies have numerous ways of defending against damage caused by oxidation and
repairing the lesions.These mechanisms are not perfect, however; some DNA inevitably
remains damaged. As we get older, lesions accumulate until we might have a few million
lesions per cell. |
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What is the best natural source of anti-oxidants available to us?
Fresh fruits, leafy green vegetables, carrots, citrus fruits, melons, oils from soyabean
and sunflower, germs of wholegrains, nuts, papaya, mangoes and pumpkin are particularly
good sources of antioxidant vitamins. |
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How much of fruits and vegetables should the elderly eat?
In India, undernutrition is a very major problem and it is the responsiblity of the entire
family to see that the elders eat at least two fruits and three vegetables a day. This
will provide sufficient quantity of anti-oxidants that they need. |
| Vitamin E |
100 - 3200 IU / day |
| Vitamin C |
500 -1000 mgm / day |
| Carotenoids |
10 - 50 mgm / day |
| Selenium |
100 - 300 mgm / day |
| Zinc |
15 - 25 mgm / day |
Amount of anti-oxidant rich food |
600 gms / day |
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| See also: Ageing |
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