Olive oil
The fruit of the olive contains phenolic antioxidants not found anywhere else in nature. The benefits of olive oil and olive fruit consumption are extensive ……Helps protect low density lipoproteins (LDL) from oxidation.
You may have heard that the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest – this includes a lot of olives and olive oil, fish (containing essential fatty acids) and a large amount of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Cartenoids
The carotenoids lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that help provide protection against free radical damage in the eyes and many organs. Lycopene provides strong health maintenance support for many organs, including the lungs, skin, cervix and prostrate gland.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is one of the most important antioxidants in the human body because it helps to maintain strong cell membranes and helps protect LDL from oxidation. The natural d-alpha form is more bioavailable, (available to our cells for absorption) than the synthetic form.
Sometimes it may be to your benefit to include extra vitamin E in your supplementation. Antioxidant vitamins and minerals are the body's first line of defence against highly reactive compounds known as free radicals. Although free radicals are normal by-products of cellular metabolism, their cumulative effects can be devastating.
Under ideal circumstances, antioxidants produced by the body and supplied by the diet 'scavenge' free radicals and destroy them as they are produced. But influences such as an inadequate diet, a stressful lifestyle, and environmental pollution can upset this balance.
Vitamin E, one of the most powerful antioxidants known, plays a critical role in the body by protecting LDL and cell membranes from oxidation damage. Vitamin E also helps maintain healthy DNA in the interior of cells. Vitamin E works with other antioxidants to provide optimal health to cells and organs. Several laboratory and clinical studies have shown the importance of vitamin E in supporting good cardiovascular health and a strong immune system in the elderly.
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient – one that the body cannot manufacture and thus must obtain from foods and supplements. However, it is difficult to ingest enough vitamin E from food alone. Animal sources of vitamin E are poor, and only small amounts occur in butter, egg yolk, milk fat and liver. Larger but still moderate amounts are found in whole-grain products seeds, nuts and vegetable oils.
The body does not retain vitamin E as well as it does other fat-soluble vitamins. In addition, many processing methods (such as heating and chemical refining) eliminate much of the vitamin E in our foods. Because people consume more processed food than they did 50 years ago, they get less natural vitamin E. And many health professionals believe that vitamin E supplementation is the answer.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin E is 30 International Units (IU),. But the RDA does not consider factors that may increase vitamin E needs – diet, lifestyle, disease and exposure to pollutants – which vary among individuals. Numerous human clinical trials and epidemiological data show that vitamin E levels many times higher than the RDA on average (400-800 IU per day), can provide significant health benefits. The Council for Responsible Nutrition gives some useful information on Vitamin E. Dietary sources of vitamin E cannot supply these levels. However, vitamin E in supplement form has been shown to have few or no side effects.
The most biologically active form of vitamin E is d-alpha-tocopherol. A supplement that is formulated to give maximum bioavailability will provide the cardiovascular system and entire body with antioxidant protection.
Tocotrienols and tocopherols
Tocotrienols have been shown to be potent antioxidants in themselves, with biological efficacy rivaling or surpassing that of vitamin E. Tocopherols can be found in soybeans and tocotrienols in rice bran oil. Tocotrienols can also help to maintain blood cholesterol levels, providing they are normal to begin with. A vitamin E product that contains these ingredients will be providing powerful support against free radical damage.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a master water-soluble antioxidant offering health maintenance throughout the body. Vitamin C does not remain in the body for a long time, however combined with mineral ascorbates it can be retained for a longer period.
Vitamin C plays many important roles in the body. First, it is a cofactor or cosubstrate for eight separate enzyme systems involved in such functions as collagen synthesis, ATP synthesis within mitochondria and hormone biosynthesis.
Under normal conditions, the RDA of 75-90mg per day meets the requirement for maintaining collagen, which is a major structural element of the body. But we also need vitamin C to quench free radicals and to prevent lipid oxidation, support healthy adrenal function, regenerate other antioxidants, maintain immune function and promote healthy arterial wall integrity. A daily does of 75-90mg is therefore unlikely to be sufficient for everyone.
In 1928 Albert Svent-Gyorgyi isolated a chemical that protected fruits against discolouration and infection when bruised. In 1937 he won a Nobel Prize for his discovery – the chemical substance we now know as vitamin C. These days the buzzwords are 'free radicals' and 'antioxidants', while this 1928 discovery and its impact on the body are rarely mentioned.
Collagen is a structural protein essential for strengthening muscles, teeth, bones, skin and blood vessels. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis. Hence without adequate vitamin C, there is inadequate collagen.
Since human bodies are incapable of manufacturing vitamin C, we must rely on our diet to satisfy our daily requirement. Vitamin C deficiency is rare today. Nevertheless, we may still not receive optimal amounts for our individual health needs.
Everyone has different biochemistry and unique lifestyles. The amount of vitamin C needed daily for optimal performance is directly related to individual ingestion, absorption, utilisation, metabolism, excretion, work environment and physical, mental and environmental stress.
When vitamin C is provided with a balanced formulation of mineral ascorbates the body is able to maintain vitamin C levels more efficiently, maintaining higher levels of vitamin C in the blood serum and maintaining those higher levels for a longer time.
Vitamin A
Beta-carotene is the safe provitamin form of vitamin A which naturally converts into vitamin A as needed so you can get the benefits of vitamin A without risk of toxicity. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin and a strong immune system, and helps maintain good vision.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the most researched and well accepted nutrients for cardiovascular health. A potent antioxidant , it is essential for energy production in our cells. High levels of Coenzyme Q10 are especially important for a strong cardiovascular system. The body’s ability to absorb CoQ10 declines with age, but including it in your supplement regime will help you maintain healthy levels of this important nutrient. See also Cardiovascular Health.
Alpha lipoic acid
Alpha lipoic acid is a vitamin-like antioxidant that is both water- and fat-soluble. Easily absorbed through the gut and transported across cell membranes, it offers protection against free radicals both inside and outside the cell.
Bioflavanoid complex
Bioflavanoid complex can include such ingredients as rutin, quertecin, hesperidin, green tea extract and bilberry enhancing the protective effectiveness of your other supplements.
Vitamin B complex
Thiamin, roboflavin, niacin, B12, biotin are B complex. These must be carefully proportioned and are fundamental to energy production, metabolism and growth. They help retain normal homocysteine levels. Folic acid up to 1,000μg caters for the need for women of childbearing to reduce the risk of having a pregnancy affected with spina bifida or other neural tube defects. The Institute of Medicine offers a report on Vitamin B Complex.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption in the small intestine and calcium utilisation in bone formation. Vitamin d also influences the utilisation of phosphorus, another mineral that is important for strong bones.
Turmeric
Turmeric, the powdered root of the plant, Curcuma longa L, has long been used as a spice and as a natural food colourant. Curcumin and related compounds (collectively know as curcuminoids) have been isolated and identified in turmeric. They are phenolics, which have significant antioxidant properties.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K influences the level of osteocalcin in the bone-forming cells and thus the rate of mineralisation of the bone.
Also inositol, choline bitartrate, n-acetyl l-cysteine, bromelain, glutathione, broccoli ...
Also molybdenum, ultra trace minerals .....
Next - Minerals
