Vitamin E - antioxidant
Vitamin E is a fot soluble family of antioxidants compounds, four called tocopherol, alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-, and four tocotrienols (also alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-). Alpha-tocopherol is the only form of vitamin E that is actively maintained in the human body. Vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidant vitamins known to man. Antioxidants reduce free radicals, allowing the body to live longer and healthier. The major function of vitamin E is to act as a natural antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and molecular oxygen. Vitamin E can slow or stop the chain reactions caused by free radicals and therefore protect your cells from the harm of free radicals. The fat soluble vitamins are:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Vitamin E and Free Radicals
Free radicals are chemicals compounds with an unpaired electron in the outer shell of the molecule. They are actually a group of molecular fragments that are capable of independent existence, and are highly reactive due to the presence of this unpaired electron. They have low chemical specificity, capable of reacting with most molecules around them including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and DNA. Free radicals try to become stable as fast as possible, they are short-lived and wont to “attack” and capture the needed electron from the nearest stable molecule, turning the attacked molecule into a free radical in the process.
Once this process begins, it becomes a dangerous chain reaction disrupting the functioning of our cells and our entire body. Free radicals therefore, play a key role causing human disease, such as cancer, and in making some drugs toxic to our body, and they have been implicated in the aging process. They may also be important in causing certain eye, brain, and mental disorders.
Vitamin E the free radical scavanger.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E combat oxidation and prevent oxidative stress. These substances protect other chemicals in our body from damaging oxidation reactions by reacting with free radicals and other reactive oxygen species in us. While Vitamin E and other antioxidants are trying to prevent the process of oxidation, they sacrifice themselves by becoming oxidized. Anti-oxidant supply is limited, particularly if you are not taking regular vitamin E supplements, and one Vitamin E antioxidant molecule can only react with a single free radical. There is therefore, a constant need to replenish your Vitamin E antioxidant stores, preferably through a quality vitamin E supplement like Vitamin K, Vitamin D or Vitamin A, which are all very good Vitamin E supplements.