2. What are free radicals? Why are they damaging
to the human body? And how does vitamin E
and the other antioxidant nutrients help protect
the body against free radical damage? I will
attempt to answer these questions and help
you understand why eating 5-8 servings per day
of anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables can
benefit your health. But first, a little background
is required to Understand the Concept
3. Background: A Brief Look at Chemical
Bonding
To understand the way that free radicals and antiots interact, you
must first understand a bit about cells and molecules. So here's a
(very) brief refresher course in Physiology/Chemistry 101: The
human body is composed of many different types of cells. Cells
are composed of many different types of molecules. Molecules
consist of one or more atoms of one or more elements joined by
chemical bonds.
As you probably remember from your old high school days, atoms consist of
a nucleus, neutrons, protons and electrons. The number of protons
(positively charged particles) in the atom?s nucleus determines the number
of electrons (negatively charged particles) surrounding the atom. Electrons
are involved in chemical reactions and are the substance that bonds atoms
together to form molecules. Electrons surround, or "orbit" an atom in one
or more shells. The innermost shell is full when it has two electrons. When
the first shell is full, electrons begin to fill the second shell. When the
second shell has eight electrons, it is full, and so on.
4. The most important structural feature of an atom for determining its
chemical behavior is the number of electrons in its outer shell. A
substance that has a full outer shell tends not to enter in chemical
reactions (an inert substance). Because atoms seek to reach a state of
maximum stability, an atom will try to fill its outer shell by:
Gaining or losing electrons to either fill or empty its outer shell
Sharing its electrons by bonding together with other atoms in order to
complete its outer shell
Atoms often complete their outer shells by sharing electrons with other
atoms. By sharing electrons, the atoms are bound together and satisfy the
conditions of maximum stability for the molecule.
5. Normally, bonds dont split in a way that leaves a molecule with an odd, unpaired electron. But
when weak bonds split, free radicals are formed. Free radicals are very unstable and react
quickly with other compounds, trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability.
Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron. When the
"attacked" molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain
reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of a
living cell.
Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the bodys immune systems
cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental
factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals.
Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-
radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Of particular importance is that free
radical damage accumulates with age.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. The vitamins C and E, are thought to protect the body against the destructive effects of free
radicals. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending
the electron-"stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrients themselves dont become free
radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form They act as scavengers,
helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease.
Vitamin E ? The most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body. One of the most efficient
chain-breaking antioxidants available. Primary defender against oxidation. Primary defender
against lipid peroxidation (creation of unstable molecules containing more oxygen than is usual).
Vitamin C ? The most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in the body. Acts primarily in cellular
fluid. Of particular note in combating free-radical formation caused by pollution and cigarette
smoke. Also helps return vitamin E to its active form.
11. The Antioxidants and Disease Prevention
Heart Disease ? Vitamin E may protect against cardiovascular disease by defending against LDL
oxidation and artery-clogging plaque formation.
Cancer ? Many studies have correlated high vitamin C intakes with low rates of cancer,
particularly cancers of the mouth, larynx and esophagus.
The Lesson: Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables!
The antioxidants are believed to help protect the body from free-radical damage. But before you
go out and stock your pantry with mega-doses of these vitamins, be warned: more is not always
better. The long-term effect of large doses of these nutrients has not been proven. Other
chemicals and substances found in natural sources of antioxidants may also be responsible for
the beneficial effects. So for now, the best way to ensure adequate intake of the antioxidant
nutrients is through a balanced diet consisting of 5-8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19. Skin Bleaching: Glutathione Is Becoming A
Dangerous Fad
Most people have never heard of glutathione (GSH) but for some it has become the latest
fad - for skin bleaching, of all things.
Why skin bleaching to become lighter when a whole lot of other people are instead getting
spray-on tans? We're not psychologists, we are just here to talk about the health issues.
Glutathione is an antioxidant our bodies produce, a combination of
three amino acids — glycine, glutamate and cysteine — which the
body packages together. It helps prevent damage to cells by heavy
metals, free radicals and such; exogenous GSH, both oral and
injectable (intravenous, intramuscular), has been used for a variety of
ailments. In the skin, it's thought that the extra GSH can interfere
with the production of the pigment melanin — resulting in a
lightening of the skin. That's the basis for the fad.
20. But some concerns have been raised about this use of GSH — especially when administered by
an injectable route by unqualified individuals, which is the entire alternative medicine and much
of the casual cosmetics community. For example, Dr. Ophelia E. Dadzie, a British dermatologist,
associated with Hillingdon Hospitals Uxbridge in the United Kingdom, explains in an editorial in
The British Medical Journal that there are few published data on the use of systemic (ie, by oral
supplement or injection) GSH for skin bleaching. Small studies indicate that oral GSH plus other
antioxidants demonstrated some skin lightening effects, but like any in-house trials of
companies selling unverified treatments, it's marketing, not science.
And, she notes, "To date there are no published clinical trials that have evaluated the use of
parenteral [injectable] glutathione for skin bleaching. There are also no published guidelines for
appropriate dosing regimes, or guidance for treatment duration when using this agent in this
setting."
There is unknown validity and some known adverse effects with IV GSH. Those include toxic
effects on the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Also of concern is the possibility of Steven
Johnson syndrome, in which the top layer of the skin dies and is shed — a medical emergency.
21. Of course, improper use of IV equipment, especially if it is not sterile, can transmit a wide
variety of infectious agents, such as HIV and hepatitis. Such problems are more likely when an
injectable treatment is administered in beauty clinics - and that's where this fad is primarily
going to be done.
In the United States, the FDA warns that there are no injectable products approved to lighten
skin - none. That means they are unsafe.
So if you're thinking about trying GSH for skin lightening, don't, embrace who you are, but if you
are determined to do it anyway, avoid the injectable form, no matter what someone selling you
something claims. Remember, that like all supplements, the oral variety is not subject to review
and approval by the FDA.