Anti-oxidants (Do all of them perform the same function?)

Hi Friends,

I've been doing a lot of research about anti-oxidants recently, so that I'd like to share with you.

It's true that all anti-oxidants perform similar function in our body, which is to be the first line of defense that keeps free radicals in check and prevent them from causing a domino effect of damage on other cells, however they perform complementary functions that have to be managed together.

So, you have to be aware of the risk of having them unbalanced.

They can be divided,as follows:

Group 1) Exogenous antioxidants

They are derived from food (or can be supplemented).

Sources: Vegetables and fruits that contain beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, lutein, lycopene, Selenium, etc.

Group 2) Endogenous antioxidants

They are produced by the body. They can be supplemented, usually by its precursors.

There are 5 endogenous antioxidants:

Catalase
Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD)
Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX)
Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10)
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)

According to researches of these 5 endogenous antioxidants, the three most essential to the body are Catalase, Glutathione and Superoxide Dismutase. The reason is that when certain free radicals are present, the body can produce more of these 3 antioxidants as needed.

If these 3 anti-oxidants are in balance, the final result after the full scavenge of free radicals, is oxygen and water. Perfect world!

As far as the Endogenous list, I have found some risks related to vitiligo that I would like to share with you:

1-Catalase

It's a good guy. It breaks H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) into oxygen and water, which are good products.

Usually vitiligo sufferers have low expression of catalase. I didn't find much information about catalase supplementation. It's possible it can't even be adsorbed by the gut.

Obs.: Don't confuse it with pseudocatalase, which is a cream that performs the same function topically.

2- Superoxide dismutase (SOD)

Sod breaks superoxide (O2.-) into oxygen and H2O2 . The more SOD we generate (or take), the more catalase it will be demanded to break H2O2 into oxygen and water.

So, unbalanced SOD is a risk to vitiligo suferers. H2O2 in excess causes lipid peroxidation, and then vitiligo in pre-disposed people.

Obs: If you have oxidative stress, you are probably generating SOD in excess.

3-Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX)

It's the mother of anti-oxidants.It generates oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and demands glutathione reductase (GSR) from the body, in order to do the same overall function as Catalase (break H2O2 into oxygen and water). Its precursors are glutamate, glycine and cysteine.

The ratio of GSSG/GSH present in the cell is a key factor in properly maintaining the oxidative balance of the cell, that is, it is critical that the cell maintains high levels of the reduced glutathione and a low level of the oxidized Glutathione. If that happens, the side effect might be bad for vitiligo sufferers. See the diagram bellow:

Too much GSH might lowers tyrosinase , which is a copper-containing enzyme present in plant and animal tissues that catalyzes the production of melanin and other pigments from tyrosine.

Regarding items (4) Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10), and (5) Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), I haven't found relevant risks associated to vitiligo.

Regards.

Thanks Flavio for the information, I have been researching this too for a while. The antiox. functions are quite complex.

My learnings thus far concur, catalase can be supplemented orally but does not survive the digestion process, so is redundant to take. There may be more success with foods containing catalase such as onion or garlic on the skin (haven't tried this one).

Selenium is a cofactor(?) of GPX, and recently i was given this as a supplement from a doctor as i had low levels, and have seen some repigmentation from this, combined with a high quality, broad spectrum pro-biotic. However i would CAUTION: Selenium supplementation must be supervised as can cause irreversible damage if overdosed. I have always lived in areas that have notoriously low Se levels in the soil.

I have also read that consuming foods with high antioxidants such as blueberries, pears and green tea can be bad as these contain hydroquinones, as with CoQ10

Another one which is mentioned a lot is beta carotene which is needed to make vitamin A, it is good to get a good source of this. not sure if technically an antioxidant but it cleans up free radicals.

Another interesting thing i have come across is that the digestion process requires proper balance of Zinc, Copper and Moybdenum. In regard to SOD - I have only read on this briefly- it can misbehave and be upregulated and keep oxidising so that it 'overworks'. Also there are different SODs from different metals such as Zn, Cu etc, so i think your mineral balance can affect this. (e.g. if you have copper excess or something).

When i had a hair tissue mineral analysis done, i had high copper and mercury levels, these can also monoplise/antagonise other nutrients needed so this is Definitely worth checking out. interestingly, Zinc is used to create Stomach acid(along with b1 & b6) and is needed to produce more stomach acid after digestion (so if you have no Zn to start with.... impossible).

The ALA is interesting one, may antiox blends contain the lineolic acid and linolenic acid so these might be easy to mix up. Recently i also read that Gamma-Linolenic (GLA) is often overlooked (borage oil or Evening primrose). Previously I was taking an omega complex (EPA-DHA) and got vitiligo around my mouth within 2 months of discontinuing. so i think the fatty acids play a bit part in the membrane health.

another bit to add...i read a study where they were trialling chlorella with selenium (in differing quantities) to clean up waterways, and the effectiveness of the mix was dependent on exact dose of selenium. (e.g. too much or too little it didn't work), SO even if you are covering all the bases, the doses may be of significance.

In her book the Auto-immune protocol, Dr Susan Blum wrote that some people have genes that mean their antioxidant function is impaired. ( i think there is about 3 or 4 genes from memory), so you can also get tested for that.

Sorry for the long post but like you i am constantly gathering info and happy to share in case it helps at all. in short, the best regimentation i have had (although not complete), was using betacarotene, omega 3s, probiotic, selenium, methyl b and thyroxine supplements,and large Vit D. Since learning of my copper & mercury excess I am keen to start on Zinc sups too so this will help.

Consuming Blueberries and excessive green tea has induced depigmentation almost instantly in me..

hope this is of some use.

Replies

Erin Elizabeth December 11, 2015 at 10:39pm

Thanks Flavio for the information, I have been researching this too for a while. The antiox. functions are quite complex.

My learnings thus far concur, catalase can be supplemented orally but does not survive the digestion process, so is redundant to take. There may be more success with foods containing catalase such as onion or garlic on the skin (haven't tried this one).

Selenium is a cofactor(?) of GPX, and recently i was given this as a supplement from a doctor as i had low levels, and have seen some repigmentation from this, combined with a high quality, broad spectrum pro-biotic. However i would CAUTION: Selenium supplementation must be supervised as can cause irreversible damage if overdosed. I have always lived in areas that have notoriously low Se levels in the soil.

I have also read that consuming foods with high antioxidants such as blueberries, pears and green tea can be bad as these contain hydroquinones, as with CoQ10

Another one which is mentioned a lot is beta carotene which is needed to make vitamin A, it is good to get a good source of this. not sure if technically an antioxidant but it cleans up free radicals.

Another interesting thing i have come across is that the digestion process requires proper balance of Zinc, Copper and Moybdenum. In regard to SOD - I have only read on this briefly- it can misbehave and be upregulated and keep oxidising so that it 'overworks'. Also there are different SODs from different metals such as Zn, Cu etc, so i think your mineral balance can affect this. (e.g. if you have copper excess or something).

When i had a hair tissue mineral analysis done, i had high copper and mercury levels, these can also monoplise/antagonise other nutrients needed so this is Definitely worth checking out. interestingly, Zinc is used to create Stomach acid(along with b1 & b6) and is needed to produce more stomach acid after digestion (so if you have no Zn to start with.... impossible).

The ALA is interesting one, may antiox blends contain the lineolic acid and linolenic acid so these might be easy to mix up. Recently i also read that Gamma-Linolenic (GLA) is often overlooked (borage oil or Evening primrose). Previously I was taking an omega complex (EPA-DHA) and got vitiligo around my mouth within 2 months of discontinuing. so i think the fatty acids play a bit part in the membrane health.

another bit to add...i read a study where they were trialling chlorella with selenium (in differing quantities) to clean up waterways, and the effectiveness of the mix was dependent on exact dose of selenium. (e.g. too much or too little it didn't work), SO even if you are covering all the bases, the doses may be of significance.

In her book the Auto-immune protocol, Dr Susan Blum wrote that some people have genes that mean their antioxidant function is impaired. ( i think there is about 3 or 4 genes from memory), so you can also get tested for that.

Sorry for the long post but like you i am constantly gathering info and happy to share in case it helps at all. in short, the best regimentation i have had (although not complete), was using betacarotene, omega 3s, probiotic, selenium, methyl b and thyroxine supplements,and large Vit D. Since learning of my copper & mercury excess I am keen to start on Zinc sups too so this will help.

Consuming Blueberries and excessive green tea has induced depigmentation almost instantly in me..

hope this is of some use.
- Robot > Erin Elizabeth December 12, 2015 at 9:38am
  
  Excellent!. I pretty much agree with your overall report.
  
  keep posting.
  
  Btw, my network platform (articles, blog, forum, etc.) is live now (beta version). Please sign up! www.vitiligomap.com
  
  You will be a great contributor !
  
  It's complementary to vitiligofriends, since its focus is more treatments/researches.
  
  Regards.
Bamsegutt December 9, 2015 at 9:57am

Thanks Flavio... One of vitiligo reasercher proffesor Shallreuter ...don`t advice too much antioxident...It may revers the effect...I guss what we need is imune modulator not too much booster I have found out some thing New tea which regulate and Balance Our immune.

Have u heared about this Product?..it sounds interesting...It is callled Chaga mushroom tea

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/chaga-mushroom-th...

Im adding this on the treatment Im doing.

This reply was deleted.