Antioxidant - An agent that prevents or inhibits oxidation and can guard the body from the damaging effects of free radicals on normal physiological functions in the human body. Antioxidants react with and neutralize free radicals or chemicals that release free radicals.
Therefore, antioxidants are called free radical scavengers. Vitamins A, C, E and some of the B vitamins, beta-carotene, selenium and some key enzymes in your body are all antioxidants. By intercepting the free radicals, antioxidants prevent them from damaging molecular structures such as DNA. Because antioxidants have the ability to protect cells from damage, this makes them very important in prevention and treatment of many conditions and diseases (see free radicals).
Enzymes - Proteins that facilitate chemical reactions without being changed in the process, protein catalysts. Enzymes naturally occur in all living things including human beings. The late Dr. Edward Howell has called them the “sparks of life”. They play an essential role in almost every biochemical role in the body. Every enzyme has a specific role in the body that only that particular enzyme can fulfill. In nutrition, I focus on the digestive enzymes:
- Protease - Breakdown proteins into their basic components.
- Lipase - Breakdown fats into their basic components.
- Amylase - Breakdown carbohydrates into their basic components.
Glutathione - a powerful and potent antioxidant that protects cells from toxins such as free radicals. This antioxidant is very important in the detoxification process in the liver.
Oxidative Stress - an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to handle and prevent damage.
Free Radical -
- Free Radical - A term used to describe a highly reactive molecule that can bind to and destroy body components.
- Free radicals or ” oxidative damage” is what makes us age.
- Free radicals have also been shown to be responsible for the initiation of many diseases including heart disease and cancer.
- Generated by cells in the body upon exposure to toxins, viruses, germs, or fungi.
- Free radicals destroy unwanted invaders by oxidation. To create them the cells need extra oxygen, which they get through exercise and food. However, after producing free radicals for their own protection, the body cells themselves become targets and must fight off free radicals with Antioxidants.
Zenobiotics - substance not produced in the body, so it is a foreign invader and the body does not recognize it. For example: harmful toxins.