Antioxidants Network - The Antioxidant Network -

Discovery of the Antioxidant Network

It used to be thought that vitamin E and vitamin C worked independently to destroy free radicals and were sacrificed in the process.

We have discovered that they not only interact directly with radicals but also can react with other redox-based antioxidant substances. These redox cycles of vitamin E or vitamin C form an 'antioxidant network' which is the main line of defense against toxicity due to free radical reactions in biological systems.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E are recycled by Glutathione

Using electron spin resonance (ESR) to directly follow the steady state concentration of chromanoxyl radicals of vitamin E, in human Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), we showed that vitamin C regenerated vitamin E in this process. Subsequently, numerous other studies were made in suspensions of human LDL or in membranes in vitro. When these systems were oxidatively challenged, tocopheroxyl or tocotrienoxyl radicals were produced and vitamin C in its reduced form as ascorbic acid was able to form the semi-ascorbyl radical and keep a low steady state concentration of tocopheroxyl and tocotrienoxyl radicals of vitamin E, regenerating them and sparing vitamin E.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements herein has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nor is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by your health care provider. The efficacy of antioxidant supplementation for children and during pregnancy is not established . If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, please contact your physician.