Antioxidants, Part 3 ~ 3 More Awesome Antioxidants
Antioxidants, Part 3 ~ 3 More Awesome Antioxidants
In this last installment of the series on awesome antioxidants we will look at antioxidant substances found in various botanicals. We will look at several whose activity is extremely broad and whose properties might be lesser-known than their most famous applications. Many of these free-radical-fighting compounds are polyphenols. In general these compounds are produced in plants for the purpose of protection from environmental stressors: mainly sunlight (UV radiation), insects, fungi, and bacteria. Polyphenol antioxidants are everywhere in the plant world, forming the deep red and blue pigments of fruits, berries, and wine, for instance. Regardless of chemistry, these compounds carry their antioxidative properties over to humans who ingest them.
Plant polyphenols have been extensively studied and have been shown to possess potent antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-allergic, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and possibly anti-aging activities. As far as antioxidant effects, they can scavenge ROS (reactive oxygen species, or free radicals), inhibit enzymes involved in their production, and protect or up-regulate antioxidant defenses.
Grape Seed Extract
Arguably one of the most well-known and popular botanical antioxidant supplements, grape seed extract or GSE for short (not to be confused with grapefruit seed extract), has an astounding range of activity in the body relating to its antioxidant effects. Extensive research has proven that GSE can prevent and reverse heart disease, stimulate apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells, reduce inflammation, improve blood sugar metabolism/control in people with diabetes, protect brain cells from the plaque associated with Alzheimer’s disease, stabilize collagen improving connective tissue/skin health, and improve vision. These effects are largely due to its antioxidant capabilities. Chemically, GSE is a source of polyphenol bioflavonoid compounds including anthocyanins (the purple color in blueberries and other dark berries), proanthocyanidins, and oligomer proanthocyanidins (OPCs).
An Antioxidant for Heart Health
GSE through its profound antioxidant activity significantly inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. When this “bad” cholesterol becomes oxidized it produces long-term inflammation and tissue damage and greatly increases heart disease risk. GSE also enhances the production of nitric oxide, thereby activating peripheral vasodilation and improving blood flow as well as modulating a healthy blood pressure. It inhibits platelet aggregation (stickiness of blood cells), reducing risk of heart attack and stroke. Its stabilization of collagen strengthens blood vessels while making them more flexible, thus better able to withstand high blood pressure. This collagen-stabilizing effect also maintains the health of the skin and thus GSE may be termed “an internal cosmetic.” It has also been shown to prevent the conversion of excess testosterone into estrogen (anti-aromatase activity).
Terry Naturally has a French grape seed (Vitis vinifera) extract with superior absorption over other grape seed extracts. Its high absorption rate is due to its low molecular weight. This tannin-free product comes in two potencies: regular Clinical OPC, in vegan capsules with 300 mg GSE each and an Extra Strength version that has 400 mg in each softgel. Both items are gluten free, vegan and non-GMO. Another great product comes from Natural Factors. Their GrapeSeedRich Grape Seed Extract has 100 mg per vegan capsule, and is also gluten free, suitable for vegans and made without GMOs.
Turmeric / Curcumin
The popularity of turmeric (Curcuma longa) shows no signs of waning anytime soon, and with good reason. It is most famous as an anti-inflammatory, but we will look at some of the other attributes of this herb. The active constituent, curcumin, and the other curcuminoids present are thought to provide the antioxidant properties. Turmeric is non-toxic, and has been shown in innumerable studies to protect the liver, protect against radiation, and inhibit platelet aggregation. It is cholesterol-lowering, anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic.
Cancer Research
Curcumin has caused apoptosis in various cancer cell lines and animal tumor cells. It has demonstrated preventive activity against carcinogenesis in the skin, colon, breast, prostate, and pancreas. It has been shown to block the formation of brain tumors in mice. It slows the ability of cancer cells to grow through new blood-vessel growth (anti-angiogenic), essentially starving them. A 2003 statement published in the journal Anticancer Research said, “Curcumin can suppress tumor initiation, promotion and metastasis.” According to Jan McBarron, M.D., “it almost goes without saying that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers of curcumin are the foundation of its ability to prevent and treat cancer, since cancer is caused by inflammation and by oxidative stress, meaning that DNA has been damaged, impairing the ability of cells to reproduce properly.”
There is also strong evidence that curcumin, administered in tandem with more traditional anti-cancer drugs, reduces the toxicity of those drugs and improves their effectiveness. Human studies are under way to explore this potential.
Evergreen carries over 30 turmeric/curcumin products. Gaia Herbs offers their Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength, a full-spectrum extract product including a CO2 extract with black pepper for enhanced absorption. This product is organic, vegan, and gluten free. Mykind Organics has a convenient, sugar-free, vegan gummy, Turmeric Inflammatory Response Gummy that is certified organic, non-GMO and gluten free. HealthForce SuperFoods has a wonderful powder, Turmeric Alchemy, that features organic turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and a blend of adaptogenic herbs including ashwagandha. Turmeric Alchemy is organic, vegan and gluten free.
Green Tea Extract
Returning to the polyphenol family, we will visit the grand-daddy of them all. Green tea has been consumed for thousands of years and has been studied for decades. Its vast array of medicinal properties is beyond the scope of this newsletter but we will look at some of the most compelling effects.
Camellia sinensis contains 15-30% polyphenols, mainly a series of chemicals called catechins. It is highest in one called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), and we will use that interchangeably with green tea extract (GTE). GTE has demonstrated significant antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, thermogenic/lipolytic (fat-burning), and antimicrobial properties in many human, animal, and in vitro studies. Its antioxidant properties are more powerful than vitamins C and E. GTE increases detoxifying antioxidant enzymes and systems in the body including glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase.
GTE has shown a large diversity of mechanisms with regard to anti-cancer effects. It blocks production of carcinogenic compounds such as nitrosamines from forming, detoxifies carcinogenic compounds, stimulates cancer cell death (apoptosis), is anti-angiogenic (blocking tumor growth from new blood vessel formation), and inhibits various tumor growth factors. Studies have demonstrated protection against cancers of the esophagus, stomach, skin, breast, pancreas, colon/rectum, liver and others in green tea-drinking humans and animals fed green tea. One study showed when mice were exposed to carcinogens in cigarette smoke, those fed green tea extract had 45% lower incidence of lung cancer than their controlled counterparts.
GTE’s powerful antioxidant activity has been shown to inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the arteries. In one study of Japanese men aged 49-55, tea consumption was shown to significantly lower serum levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol but did not seem to affect levels of HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. EGCg was shown to inhibit platelet aggregation thereby reducing risk of stroke and heart attack. It has also been shown to inhibit the vasoconstricting enzyme angiotensin II and may therefore lower blood pressure, further improving cardiovascular health.
Evergreen Nutrition carries Source Natural’s EGCG, a 350 mg tablet. Also available is Nature’s Plus Green Tea Extract. This product is decaffeinated, vegan, and gluten free.
Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this series on awesome antioxidants.
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