To generate energy, the fuels sugar (glucose) and fats are oxidized in our cellsoxygento carbon dioxide connected
However, it is not entirely without danger. Part of the oxygen (1-3%) is to ROS("Oxygen radical species"), such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen superoxide radical and peroxide radical. ROS is the better name than the common "free radicals", because some of these dangerous oxidizing substances are technically not radicals.
ROS/free radicals attack genetic material, cell membranes and enzymes in the cells and can thereby lead to cell death/senescence and cancer.
In addition, body cells, especially white blood cells, also “intentionally” produce ROS, namely in jethe inflammation. To kill aged bacteria and to dissolve your own tissue.
A third cause of ROS (free radicals) are environmental influences:
-
ROS are exhaled directly from the air we breathe: ozone, exhaust gases and cigarette smoke.
- Harsh radiation (e.g. UV radiation from the sun) can destroy the complex molecules in our cells. They break into parts (radicals), which in turn are dangerous.
Of course there is a protective system against ROS and free radicals.
It consists of some molecules that the body can produce itself and some that have to be supplied from the outside (i.e. vitamins).
The most important of them are: vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B2 complex. Together they can bind wandering superactive oxygen and render it harmless.
Antioxidants
The antioxidants form a “chain” in the removal of harmful oxygen. At the beginning of the chain is the Vitamin E. It can intercept the free oxygen (more precisely its free electrons) with the chromanol ring at the cell membrane.
Vitamin E is divided into a number of specialized molecules: four tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta) and four tocopherolstrienols.
The tocotrienols have a polyunsaturated side chain and can therefore distribute themselves particularly well and thus fulfill their guardian function particularly well. Especially on the cell membranes, where lipids and genetic material are particularly in need of protection.
outlook
This website is dedicated to information about tocotrienols. They are widespread in nature, but have been neglected by science for decades because the body cannot store them well. Studies have now shown that tocotrienols have a 40 to 60 times higher cell protective effect on cell membranes than alpha-tocopherol.[tom full text a theser studies]
Actually, it is not exactly known why vitamin E is necessary. Historically, it was discovered because it could reverse infertility.
Now that active forms of the tocotrienols have been found, the news is suddenly flooding in about all sorts of amazing effects. Cancer protection, cancer treatment, cholesterol lowering, neuro-protection, anti-inflammatory, all of which affect mass problems in medicine. Particularly in the "developed" Länthen (diseases of civilization).
This may be an indication that the potential of these oxidation protection is needed much more than previously thought. If the ROS hits, the damage can be immediately ironed out by new cell generations. But in the long term, the oxidative damage shows up massively in society. Cancer, heart/circulation, allergy and premature aging.
We may have to estimate the need for antioxidant substances, especially vitamin E, to be much greater than before.
tocotrienols can show us the way there.