ANTIOXIDANT

Prashant singh
07/BT/25
 What Are Free Radicals
-Any atom(eg. oxygen,nitrogen) with atleast one
unpaired electron in outermost shell.
- It is easily form when covalent bond break .
-This is very unstable for the atom.
-The unpaired electron causes the atom to become free
radical that ,if left unchecked can form more free
radicals in a chain reaction.
-Ex: O2¯ , ·OH
 Harmful Effects of Free Radical
-Free radical can cause damage to surrounding
Cells and tissues.
-Damage the fat and protein part of the body.
-Causes cardiovascular disease,Cataract,
arthritis,edema,leg swelling.
-Damages a cell's DNA ,which leads to cancer and
premature aging .
 Sources of Free Radicals in Body
-Damaging free radicals can be produced in our bodies from both normal
body processes and from sources that originated outside the body.
-Sources inside the body are:-
(a)as a normal by-product of oxygen metabolism which takes place when
oxygen is utilized to produce energy from food.
(b)our body's immune cell produce free radicals to kill the invading
bacteria.As long as this is well controlled ,we have no
problems.however,when these processes are out of control,as occur
with some autoimmune diseases,some of the free radicals that are
produced may actually harm our cells.
(c)as by-product of normal enzyme or chemical reactions.
 Sources originating outside the body

(a)cigarette smoking
(b)exposure to X-ray and UV light
(c)chemicals such as pesticides
(d)some drugs
(e)physical trauma(injury or infection)
(f)stress
(g)lack of exercise
(h)lack of sleep

*Avoiding these items will reduce the production of free radical in the body.
 What Are Antioxidants
-A molecule that significantly reduces the adverse
effect of free radical such as reactive oxygen and
reactive nitrogen species,on normal physiological
function in human.
-It breaks the free radical
chain reaction,by giving it's own
electron to the free radical .
 Types of Antioxidant Based On Their
Chemical Make Up
(1)Vitamins,Minerals and Vitamins like Compounds:
a)Vitamin C
b)vitamin E
c)selenium
d)coenzyme Q
e)glutathione.
-Water soluble: vitamin C,glutathione
-Fat soluble: vitamin E,coenzyme Q
-Vitamin C ,vitamin E,selenium are essential nutrients that must be provided
in diet.
-Non essential nutrients glutathione ,coenzyme Q.
 .
(2)Enzyme:
a)superoxide dismutase
b)catalase
c)glutathione peroxidase
- Made in body in response to certain free radicals
- Some commercial companies are selling these enzymes as dietary
supplement.However,these antioxidant are not effective because these
enzymes are protein ,which are broken down into small fragments then
digested in stomach and small intestine.These fragments can not get rid
of free radicals.
- Only effective when made within body.
 .
3)Antioxidant phytochemicals:
These compounds found in fruit and vegetable.

Phytochemical antioxidant Food sources

Beta-carotene carrot,sweet-potato,cantaloupe

Lycopene tomato,tomato-product

Lutein spinach,broccoli,green-pea

Epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) Green and black tea

Polyphenols peas,onion,apple,red
grape,orange,cranberries,strawberries
 .
-While scientist have not been able to find all different
phytochemical in a fruit or vegetable,a method has
been developed to estimate the overall antioxidant
potential of the plant food.
- This process gives a number that is known as
ORAC(Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity) of the
fruit or vegetable.
-Plant with higher ORAC have greater antioxidant
potential.
 ORAC units of selected fruits and
vegetables
FOOD SOURCE ORAC units/100 grams

FRUIT

prunes 5770
raisins 2830

blueberries 2400

strawberries 1540

plums 949

VEGETABLES

spinach 1770
 Dietary Sources of Antioxidant
. VITAMIN C oranges,apple,mangoes,lemon,pineapple,
papaya,guava,green vegetables

VITAMIN E Sunflower ,safflower ,sweet

potato,pumpkin,broccoli,spinach,beet,man
goes

SELENIUM Brazil nuts,turkey,beef,egg,rice,cod,

chicken
breast,oatmeal,corn,wheat,soybean
Pictures of Some Dietary sources of
antioxidant
 Health Benefits of Antioxidants
-It helps to reduce the risk of cancer and heart attacks.
-Supplementation with vitamin C and E has been
reported to prove beneficial in parkinson's disease
and alzheimer's disease.
-Prevents from cataract and premature aging.
THANK YOU