Unmasking the Silent Threat: The Surprising Diseases Linked to Antioxidant Deficiency

Introduction

Antioxidants are the molecules that fight free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. Free radicals are unstable compounds that are harmful to the cells. Free radicals cause various diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Antioxidants are a defense to keep free radicals in check and prevent various diseases. Antioxidants are produced in the body and found in food of plant and animal origin. For example, vitamin C, beta carotene, and vitamin E is an essential dietary antioxidant that helps prevent various diseases. Apart from diet, the body also has an antioxidant mechanism, which helps prevent reactive oxygen species formation and oxidative stress.

What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that help in the destruction of free radicals in the body, which are produced by the body as a reaction to stress and environmental factors. Free radicals are very unstable molecules that cause various diseases in the body. They initiate a chain reaction, interrupting the cell structures and causing damage. Antioxidants reduce the free radicals in the body and minimize the damage caused by them. Free radicals can cause damage to cells, leading to conditions such as inflammation and oxidative stress, which are thought to play a role in the development of various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological conditions. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron to them, which stabilizes the molecule and prevents it from causing damage to cells. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, as well as in dietary supplements. Some common antioxidants include vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium.

What Is the Significance of Antioxidants?

Listed below are the functions of antioxidants in the body:

• Antioxidants remove free radicals from the bloodstream in the body.

• Antioxidants donate electrons to stabilize the free radicals in the body.

• Antioxidants help in repairing oxidative damage in the body.

• Antioxidants help improve the body's immune system.

• Antioxidants help in the anti-aging process.

• Antioxidants lower the risk of cancer.

• Antioxidants help prevent various diseases and lower cholesterol levels.

What Are the Types of Antioxidants?

Listed below are the various type of antioxidants:

• Vitamin C - It helps in the recognition and destruction of foreign bodies. It also helps produce autoantibodies, essential for functioning hormones and enzymes.

• Vitamin E - It helps destroy free radicals and improves the immune system. It also prevents infections.

• Vitamin A - It helps in wound healing and preventing infections. It helps in the neutralization of free radicals and prevents the destruction of collagen.

• Selenium - It increases lymphocyte count and enhances interferon production n the body. It helps in the production of antibodies by the B lymphocytes.

• Zinc - It reduces the susceptibility to infectious diseases in the body. It regulates the monocyte function and reduces the T lymphocyte activity.

• Curcumin - Curcumin helps improve the health status and normal activity of the heart, gastrointestinal function, and respiratory system.

What Are the Diseases Caused by the Deficiency of Antioxidants?

A deficiency in antioxidants results in an increased level of free radicals in the body. As a result, it results in cell damage and excessive release of copper and iron ions. In addition, the deficiency disrupts the electron transport chain. Listed below are some of these conditions:

• Cancer - Antioxidant supplements help in cancer prevention. It reduces mortality and risk of cancer with proper intake of antioxidants. There is a significant reduction in cancer of the prostate, lungs, and colon.

• Eye Problems - Loss of vision due to deficiency of antioxidants in the body. The gradual deterioration of the eye lens can lead to blindness.

• Cardiac Diseases - Free radicals cause the sticking of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to the artery's walls. There is an increased risk of coronary heart disease due to the deficiency of antioxidants.

• Stroke - Antioxidant helps prevent stroke and increases the circulation of blood. Antioxidant deficiencies such as vitamin C and carotenoid increase the risk of stroke.

• Arthritis - A deficiency of antioxidants can lead to excessive free radicals and an increased risk of arthritis. Antioxidants reduce joint pain degeneration, process inflammation, and joint swelling.

• Immune Deficiency Diseases - Antioxidants significantly improve the body's various immune responses. Antioxidants have a potent ability to donate electrons, and they act as cofactors for gene-regulatory enzymes in the body. As a result, dietary antioxidants maintain effective immune responses and reduce the risk of immune deficiency diseases.

• Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases - Deficiency of antioxidants results in nerve cell damage in the brain. It increases the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

• Emphysema - Free radicals destroy lung cells and cause poor lung health. The antioxidant helps neutralize this free radical, resulting in the prevention of emphysema.

• Ischemic Condition - Myocardial ischemia results from the imbalance between the availability of endogenous antioxidants and the formation of oxidants. Antioxidants have cardioprotective effects, which help in the prevention of ischemia.

• Hair Loss - Free radicals and oxidative stress increase the aging process of hair and scalp. Free radicals and oxidative stress cause hair loss. Antioxidants help maintain collagen in the body, which improves hair growth. Prevention of melanin in the hair cortex protects the integrity and retention of hair.

• Obesity - Obesity can be caused by excess dietary calorie accumulation into visceral fats. Antioxidant deficiency can result in metabolic disorders and elevated plasma leptin levels. Elevated plasma leptin levels can result in obesity.

What Are Foods Enriched With Antioxidants?

Given below are the foods that are great sources of antioxidants:

• Vitamin E - It is found in vegetables, almonds, nuts, avocados, whole grains, and seeds.

• Vitamin C - It is found in citrus fruits like lemon and orange. Other sources are blackcurrant capsicum and strawberry.

• Vitamin A - Itis found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and egg yolk.

• Carotene - It is found in carrots, spinach, and apricots.

• Lycopene - It is found in tomatoes and apricots.

• Curcumin - It is found in turmeric.

• Flavonoids - It is found in green tea, citrus fruits, and chocolates.

• Anthocyanins - It is found in grapes and berries.

Conclusion

Free radicals are produced in cells continuously as normal cellular functions. Excessive production of free radicals from exogenous and endogenous sources can lead to tissue damage and various diseases. Antioxidants promote the decomposition of free radicals by scavenging them, thereby preventing various diseases in the body. Antioxidants also prevent the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, which causes various chronic diseases in the body. Diet is essential to the source of antioxidants. Overdose of antioxidants by supplements should be avoided. To get the proper amount of antioxidants in the body, healthy diets should be followed with antioxidant contents such as fruits and vegetables. To prevent deficiency diseases, it is essential to take care of health and proper dietary intake, including antioxidants.