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Hi Friends,

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:

1. Catalase
2. Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD)
3. Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX)
4. Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10)
5. 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.

More details at: www.vitiligomap.com

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