What are Antioxidants?
20 JUNE 2007
Within technical publications such as scientific journals, a certain understanding of terminology is presumed. Too frequently though, even companion glossaries or definitions do not adequately explain the complete relationship of one term to another. In discussion, particularly in abstracts where there may be space limitations, broader categories are often cited where the expression of precise terms would be more appropriate. If the reader of the “Antioxidant Clinical Compendium” has suffered from confusion in trying to organize and rank the various vocabulary words relating to the make-up of antioxidants, it is not surprising. The properties of the components of these interesting free-radical police often overlap, and synonyms are inconsistently used interchangeably in the literature, sometimes without adequate explanation. Perhaps the following outline will help you obtain a more immediate grasp of the interrelationships of the various terms or serve as a framework to return to in expediting you on your way to success.
I. Oxidants[1]
II. Antioxidants (non-enzymatic)
A. Alpha Lipoic Acid
B. Phytochemicals
http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/full/277/18/15252
1. (Bio) FLAVONOIDS (polyphenolic compounds)
a. Anthocyanins http://flavo.vtt.fi/index.htm (Proanthcyanidins)
- cyanidin
- delphidin
- malvidin
- pelargonidin
- peonidin
- petanidin
b. Catechins
- catechin
- epicatechin
- epictechin 3-gallate
- epigallocatechin
- epigallocatechin 3-gallate
- gallocatechin
c. Chalcones http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w00/flavonoid.html
1,3-Diphenylpropenone (benzylideneacetophenone)
http://www.chemicool.com/definition/chalcones.html
d. Flavanones
- eriodictyol
- hesperelin
- naringenin
- naringin
e. Flavones
- apigenin
- luteolin
f. Flavonols
- fisetin
- gossypetin
- gossypin
- isorhamnetin
- kaempferol
- quercetin
- rutin
g. Isoflovones
- daidzein
- genistein
- glycitein
2. CAROTENOIDS (and other TERPENES)
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/phytonutrients.htm
a. Lycopene (red) in tomato, gâc fruit, etc.
b. Lutein (yellow) in corn
c. Zeaxanthin
d. α-Carotene
e. β-Carotene
f. β-cryptoxanthin
http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB/PDF/pdf2006/2Nov/Ogunkunle%20and%20Ladejobi.pdf.
3. Alkaloids
4. Anthraquinones
5. Cardiac Glycosides
6. Phlobatannins
7. Saponins
8. Tannins
9. “Non –Flavonoids” (ellagic acid and coumarins)
http://doe.sd.gov/oess/cans/nbulletin/2005/march/bulletin.htm
C. Tocopherals = phenols (Vitamin E and “Vitamin F”)
D. Certain other vitamins (notably Vitamin C)
E. Various Elements and Minerals www.montmorillonite.org
The non-enzymatic antioxidants also include the elements Zinc and Selenium, GSH (infra), proanthocyanidin (or OPC's from grape seed extract) and pycnogenol. www.tinnitusformula.com/info/articles/stud/zincstudy.asp
III. Antioxidants (enzymatic)
A. Co-enzyme Q (ubiquinone)
B. Co-enzyme Q10
It is hoped that together with what follows in the way of my own synopsis of the excerpts from the aforesaid booklet, together with the fairly comprehensive glossary at the conclusion of the same, your enjoyment and appreciation for all the literature we have at our disposal will be enhanced. Likewise, should your own enthusiasm for supplements, because of greater confidence and understanding, become a by-product of this exercise; I will have accomplished my self-directed mission. Simplified abstracts, which I have also rewritten, are available separately for those who wish to make a further attempt to bridge what is presented herein with the original abstracts and full-text of the articles cited.