Learning Center | Antioxidant

An antioxidant is a substance (such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E) that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides and help to protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals.

A free radical is a reactive atom or group of atoms that has one or more unpaired electrons. Free radicals are produced in the body by natural biological processes or introduced from outside (as in tobacco smoke, toxins, or pollutants) and that can damage cells, proteins, and DNA by altering their chemical structure.

In a cell, mitochondria are the major site of oxidative stress because of some leakage of electrons during ATP production and also due to inefficient machinery for repair of mitochondrial DNA. For repair of nuclear DNA and recovery of many intracellular organelles energy is the most important requirement. In a cell mitochondria are the most important source for energy generation. Therefore, any antioxidant that manifests a radioprotective effect should also protect mitochondria. Protection of the mitochondrial system can have far reaching significance in the prevention and recovery of free-radical-induced chronic disease, such as arteriosclerosis, arthritis and several neurological disorders (Goel 2005).

Oxidative stress is caused by the over production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that overwhelms the antioxidant capacities of the cell. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are reported to protect against certain forms of cancer believed to be due to their ability to prevent oxidative damage (Block 1992). The dietary intake of flavonoids from fruits and vegetables has also been shown to be inversely related to coronary heart disease mortality (Hertog 1993; Hertog 1995). These atherosclerotic diseases are explained as a consequence of damage to human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In many in vitro experiments, phenolic compounds have been shown to inhibit the oxidative damage of LDL. Because of their antioxidant characters, flavonoids and phenolic acids are able to reduce free radical formation and to scavenge ROS.

Seabuckthorn berries have high contents of natural, potent antioxidants including:

• Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
• Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
• Carotenoids
• Flavonoids - isorhamnetin, quercein, kaempferol
• Catechins
• Proanthocyanidins
• Chlorogenic Acids

Review of Key Studies

Health Benefit	Reference
Antioxidant Activity	Rosch 2003
Antioxidant in Coronary Heart Disease	Eccleston 2002
Reducing fat and antioxidant	Yang 2002
Immunomodulatory	Geetha 2002
Antioxidant in Coronary Heart Disease	Rice-Evans 1994

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice.