Antioxidants - what are they?

Today everyone is talking about antioxidants. Some consider them a powerful weapon against aging, others consider them a deception of pharmacists, and still others consider them a potential catalyst for cancer. So is it worth taking antioxidants? What are these substances for? What drugs can they be obtained from? We will talk about this in the article.

Concept

Four groups of substances

Currently, more than three thousand antioxidants are already known, and their number continues to increase. All of them are divided into four groups:

1. Vitamins. They are water-soluble and fat-soluble. The former protect blood vessels, ligaments, muscles, and the latter – adipose tissue. Beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin E are antioxidants, the most powerful among fat-soluble ones, and vitamin C and B-group vitamins are among water-soluble ones.
2. Bioflavonoids. They act as a trap for free radicals, suppress their formation and help remove toxins. Bioflavonoids mainly include catechins found in red wine and quercetin, which is found in green tea and citrus fruits.
3. Enzymes. They play the role of catalysts: they increase the rate of neutralization of free radicals. Produced by the body. You can additionally obtain these antioxidants from the outside. Drugs, such as, for example, Coenzyme Q10, will compensate for the lack of enzymes.
4. Minerals. They are not produced in the body; they can only be obtained from the outside. The most powerful antioxidants in this group are calcium, manganese, selenium, and zinc.

Antioxidants (drugs): classification

All antioxidants, which are medicinal in origin, are divided into preparations of unsaturated fatty acids; preparations of proteins, amino and nucleic acids that react with free radical oxidation products; vitamins, flavonoids, hormones and microelements. Let's tell you more about them.

Substrates for free radical oxidation

This is the name for preparations of unsaturated fatty acids that contain omega-3 acids. These include Epadol, Vitrum Cardio, Tecom, Omacor, and fish oil. The main omega-3-polyunsaturated acids - decosohexanoic and eicosapentaenoic acids - when introduced externally into the body, restore their normal ratio. We list the strongest antioxidants in this group below.

1. The drug "Essentiale"

This is a complex product containing, in addition to phospholipids, vitamins with antihypoxic (nicotinamide, thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin) and antioxidant (cyanocobalamin, tocopherol) properties. The drug is used in pulmonology, obstetrics, hepatology, cardiology, and ophthalmology.

2. Lipin product

It is an antihypoxant and a natural powerful antioxidant that restores the functional activity of the endothelium, has immunomodulatory, membrane-protective properties, supports the body's antioxidant system, and has a positive effect on the synthesis of surfactant and pulmonary ventilation.

3. Medicines "Espa-Lipon" and "Berlition"

These antioxidants (thioctic acid preparations) reduce blood glucose levels during hyperglycemia. Thioctic acid is a vitamin-like substance that is endogenously formed in the body and participates as a coenzyme in the decarboxylation of α-keto acids. The drug "Berlition" is prescribed for diabetic neuropathy. And the drug "Espa-Lipon", which is, among other things, a hypolipidemic agent, a hepatoprotector and a detoxicant, is used for intoxication with xenobiotics.

Preparations of peptides, nucleic acids and amino acids

Drugs in this group can be used both in mono- and complex therapy. Among them, we can separately note glutamic acid, which, along with the ability to remove ammonia, stimulate energy-producing and redox processes, and activate the synthesis of acetylcholine, can also have a significant antioxidant effect. This acid is indicated for psychosis, mental exhaustion, epilepsy, and reactive depression. Below we will consider the most powerful antioxidants of natural origin.

1. Glutargin product

This drug contains glutamic acid and arginine. It produces a hypoammonemic effect, has antihypoxic, membrane-stabilizing, antioxidant, hepato- and cardioprotective activity. It is used for hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, to prevent alcohol intoxication, and to eliminate hangover syndrome.

2. Medicines “Panangin” and “Asparkam”

These antioxidants (aspartic acid preparations) stimulate the formation of ATP, oxidative phosphorylation, improve motility of the digestive tract and skeletal muscle tone. These medications are prescribed for cardiosclerosis, arrhythmias accompanied by hypokalemia, angina pectoris, and myocardial dystrophy.

3. Drugs "Dibikor" and "Kratal"

These products contain taurine, an amino acid that has stress-protective, neurotransmitter, cardioprotective, hypoglycemic properties and regulates the release of prolactin and adrenaline. Preparations containing taurine are the best antioxidants that protect lung tissue from damage by irritants. In combination with other medications, it is recommended to use Dibikor for diabetes mellitus and heart failure. The drug "Kratal" is used for VSD, vegetative neuroses, and post-radiation syndrome.

4. Medication "Cerebrolysin"

The medicine includes as an active ingredient a hydrolyzate of a substance from pig brain, freed from protein, containing amino acids and a complex of peptides. The drug reduces the lactate content in brain tissue, maintains calcium homeostasis, stabilizes cell membranes, and reduces the neurotoxic effect of excitatory amino acids. This is a very powerful antioxidant, which is prescribed for stroke, endogenous depression, and cerebrovascular pathologies.

5. Medicine "Cerebrocurin"

This drug contains peptides, amino acids, and low molecular weight proteolysis products. It produces antioxidant, protein-synthesizing, energy-producing effects. The drug "Cerebrocurin" is used for diseases associated with disruption of the central nervous system, as well as in ophthalmology for pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy, senile macular degeneration.

6. The drug "Actovegin"

This medicine is a highly purified blood hemodialysate. It contains nucleosides, oligopeptides, intermediate products of fat and carbohydrate metabolism, due to which it enhances oxidative phosphorylation, the exchange of high-energy phosphates, increases the influx of potassium, and alkaline phosphatase activity. The drug exhibits a strong antioxidant effect and is used for organic lesions of the eyes, central nervous system, for faster regeneration of mucous membranes and skin in case of burns and wounds.

Bioantioxidants

This group includes vitamin preparations, flavonoids, and hormones. Non-coenzyme vitamin preparations that simultaneously have both antioxidant and antihypoxic properties include Coenzyme Q10, Riboxin, and Koragin. We will describe other antioxidants in tablets and other dosage forms below.

1. Medicine "Energostim"

This is a combined product, in addition to inozyme, containing nicotinamide dinucleotide and cytochrome C. Thanks to the composite composition, the drug “Energostim” exhibits complementary antioxidant and antihypoxic properties. The medicine is used for myocardial infarction, alcoholic hepatosis, myocardial dystrophy, hypoxia of brain cells

2. Vitamin preparations

As already noted, water- and fat-soluble vitamins exhibit pronounced antioxidant activity. Fat-soluble products include Tocopherol, Retinol and other medications containing carotenoids. Of the water-soluble vitamin preparations, nicotinic and ascorbic acids, Nicotinamide, Cyanocobalamin, Rutin, and Quercetin have the greatest antioxidant potential.

3. The drug "Cardonat"

Includes pyridoxal phosphate, lysine hydrochloride, carnitine chloride, cocarboxylase chloride. These components take part in the oxidation of fatty acids to acetyl-CoA. The medication activates the processes of growth and assimilation, produces anabolic hepato-, neuro-, cardioprotective effects, and significantly increases physical and intellectual performance.

4. Flavonoids

Preparations containing flavonoids include tinctures of hawthorn, echinacea, motherwort, and rosea radiola. These agents, in addition to antioxidant properties, also have immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective properties. Antioxidants are sea buckthorn oil, which contains unsaturated fatty acids, and domestic herbal medicines produced in the form of drops: “Cardioton”, “Cardiofit”. Hawthorn tincture should be taken for functional heart disorders, motherwort tincture as a sedative, and rosea and echinacea tinctures as a general tonic. Sea buckthorn oil is indicated for peptic ulcers, prostatitis, and hepatitis.

5. Vitrum antioxidant product

This is a complex of minerals and vitamins that exhibits pronounced antioxidant activity. The drug at the cellular level protects the body from the destructive effects of free radicals. The Vitrum Antioxidant product contains vitamins A, E, C, as well as microelements: manganese, selenium, copper, zinc. The vitamin-mineral complex is taken to prevent hypovitaminosis, to increase the body's resistance to infections and colds, after treatment with antibacterial agents.

Finally

Antioxidants in the form of medications should be used by people after the age of forty, heavy smokers, those who often eat fast food, as well as people working in poor environmental conditions. For patients who have recently had cancer or are at high risk of developing it, taking such drugs is contraindicated. And remember: it is better to get antioxidants from natural products, not from medications!

How often do we hear that people absolutely need certain mysterious antioxidant substances to improve health, prolong youth and longevity. And I really want to find out more precisely: an antioxidant - what it is, what preparations it contains, what it is eaten with, both literally and figuratively, what it opposes (after all, as you know, the prefix “anti” means “against”) . This topic is very relevant, because today a healthy lifestyle is in trend. We invite our readers to look into the questions that have arisen in more detail.

Oxidant and antioxidant - what are they?

Our entire world is built on the unity and struggle of opposites: if there is a plus, then there must certainly be a minus nearby, light lives side by side with darkness, etc. And it would be logical to assume that since antioxidants exist in the world, this means that they are inextricably linked with something directly opposite, that is, with oxidants. And what binds this couple is nothing more than the constant struggle of the former with the latter.

After a lyrical digression, let's plunge into dry scientific facts. Research has long proven that so-called free radicals (oxidants) are indispensable participants in the metabolic processes of our body - these are not substances, as many mistakenly believe, but molecules - much smaller matter. Each oxidant has a free unpaired electron. And it is this property that gives them high chemical activity.

Oxidants themselves are neither harmful nor bad; they are needed by the body and actively participate in its work. But under the influence of certain factors (disease, poor environment, stress, unhealthy diet, smoking, etc.), their number begins to grow uncontrollably, and these extra, chemically active molecules begin to destroy healthy cells and tissues; harmful oxidative processes begin to occur. To resist destruction, we need antioxidant substances that can neutralize the effects of harmful molecules.

What are antioxidants?

Our smart body knows how to produce its own internal antioxidants. Many healthy foods also contain them, so by eating healthy foods we help the body fight oxidants. In childhood and adolescence, a lot of antioxidants are produced, but over time their deficiency begins to increase more and more, which negatively affects health: a person gets sick more and more often, and the aging process increases faster.

But we can help our body by supplying it with vital substances from the outside not only with food, but also with various medications and vitamins. Summarizing what has been said, we conclude that antioxidants can be internal and external (food, various vitamins, drugs). It is the second group that we will consider in more detail in the future.

How do antioxidant substances act on the human body?

There are antioxidants - drugs that are very expensive, and yet people spare no expense in purchasing them. This happens because these substances can literally transform our body, both inside and outside, and even at a very old age. Here is a list of what happens to the body due to the activity of antioxidants:

1. Immunity is strengthened.
2. The formation of altered cells is prevented and tumor growth is inhibited.
3. Collagen is restored.
4. Rejuvenation processes are launched, etc.

Cure for old age

To the question: “Antioxidant - what is it?” You can give a completely reasonable answer that this is a cure for old age. It is believed that increased levels of such substances in the body can directly affect the increase in life expectancy. This conclusion was made after an experiment by US scientists conducted on mice. Animals in which increased production of internal antioxidant enzymes was stimulated lived much longer than other animals and suffered much less illness. If the same thing works for humans, then this means that the average life expectancy of people could increase to 100 years.

Indeed, there are research results that confirm that taking antioxidant drugs in old age greatly reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and reduces the risk of heart and vascular diseases. In general, people who took antioxidant supplements along with a healthy diet began to feel much better, more active and younger.

List of the most famous antioxidants

From the group of vitamins:

1. Tocopherol - vitamin E - is an antioxidant that counteracts the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes by radicals.
2. Vitamin C. Actively neutralizes oxidants and at the same time restores vitamin E used up in the fight against them.
3. A (carotene).

C, E and A are antioxidant vitamins that make up a very strong combination; they can multiply the effect of each other.

There are some plants and foods that are considered antioxidants in their own right. These include:

1. Green tea.
2. Ginseng.
3. Blueberry.
4. Grape.
5. Medicinal mushrooms (meitake, veselka, shiitake, cordyceps, reishi).

What foods contain a lot of antioxidants?

The substances of interest to us are most abundant in foods such as fruits, berries and vegetables (fresh, of course), as well as in a number of oils and nuts, but not in all, but only in those presented in the following lists:

1. Fruits and berries:

1. Plums.
2. Chokeberry.
3. Citrus.
4. Grenades.
5. Black currant.
6. Cranberry.
7. Blueberry.
8. Cherry.
9. Blackberry.

1. Radish.
2. Broccoli.
3. Eggplant.
4. Garlic and onion.
5. Beet.
6. Spinach and asparagus.
7. Beans.
8. Radish and turnip.
9. Carrot.

1. Palm.
2. Milk thistle.
3. Wheat germ.
4. Corn.

You can't ignore some spices and herbs: oregano, parsley, cinnamon, turmeric and cloves - they are all excellent antioxidants. Preparations containing these herbal components are often found and are in good demand.

Vitamin and mineral complexes

The nutrition of modern man is far from ideal; most people today live in cities; He picks up vegetables and fruits not from the garden beds, but from store shelves, sometimes not of the first freshness. Such products lack valuable nutrients. To make up for their deficiency, you have to go to the pharmacy and buy various mineral complexes and antioxidant vitamins.

Fortunately, the choice of such drugs is very large, even the eyes run wide from the beautiful multi-colored boxes with useful tablets and capsules inside. Moreover, it is very convenient that in many such health products the necessary minerals and vitamins are combined together. That is, just as it happens in nature. Here is an approximate range of what can be freely purchased in the pharmacy chain today:

1. "Selmevit".
2. "Vitrum Memory".
3. "Selenium-active".
4. "Retinol acetate".
5. "Complete selenium."
6. "Selmevit intensive"
7. "Vitamin E Zentiva"
8. "Oxylic".
9. "Glutathione."
10. "Doppelgerts asset"
11. "Vetoron".
12. "Triovit".
13. "Sinergin".
14. "Reabilar" and others.

I would like to say a few separate words about “Complivit” - an antioxidant that is in constant demand. A small tablet of the drug contains about 19 essential elements for humans, including minerals: magnesium, zinc, cobalt, copper, calcium, manganese; vitamins E, B1, C, B2, A, B12, PP, B5, P, B6, folic acid and thioctic (lipolyic acid). We can say that this is an ideal composition for a vitamin-mineral complex that can fully satisfy all the body’s needs.

Antioxidant drugs

Even taking good vitamin complexes and trying to eat only healthy foods, people, without knowing it, may experience an acute lack of substances in the body that fight free radicals. This is especially true for those who work in some hazardous industry, heavy smokers or residents of areas with poor ecology. In this case, you can call on the following drugs to help:

1. "Coenzyme Q10" - strengthens defenses, removes oxidants, activates blood circulation, and inhibits the aging process.
2. "Lipin" is an immunomodulator that supports high activity of the antioxidant system.
3. "Debicor" and "Kratal" are two very important amino acids that help the body establish many processes.
4. "Panangin" and "Asparkam" - effectively improve the functions of the heart and blood vessels, stimulate the formation of ATP, activate intestinal motility, and tone skeletal muscles.
5. "Omacor", "Epadol", "Tecom" and others - are engaged in restoring the balance of polyunsaturated acids in the body.

What to choose

So which antioxidants should you choose? Reviews and recommendations from doctors about various products should help you make your choice. It is especially important for people who have serious health problems to discuss with their doctor which drug to start taking.

Antioxidant cosmetic creams against skin aging

Today, many women try to be sure to use some good antioxidant cream to maintain the beauty and freshness of their skin. Indeed, such external cosmetics can amazingly transform one’s appearance: smooth out wrinkles, improve complexion, even out skin texture, make the skin radiant and youthful. The main rule: to achieve the desired effect, you need to use this cream for at least 30 days.

The best cosmetic anti-aging products contain a whole complex of different antioxidant substances that can stimulate each other’s action. And the presence in the formula of the famous trinity - vitamins A, B and C is almost mandatory. And then each manufacturing company develops its own special compositions and recipes. Various extracts of natural oxidant plants, fruits, oils can be added to the cream: green tea, grapes, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, horse chestnut, rosemary, witch hazel, sea buckthorn, peach, sesame, just too many to list. Coenzyme Q10 is also a common ingredient in antioxidant skin care products.

Creams with antioxidant complexes are available for different skin types, so any woman can choose the most suitable product. But there is one secret in using such cosmetics: you should not abuse it. Sometimes people believe that since antioxidants are so beneficial, then if they smear themselves with a cream that contains them morning, noon and evening, and apply more of it to the skin, this will speed up the rejuvenation process. In fact, it turns out the opposite: the natural balance of the skin is disrupted and this does not lead to anything good.

Final word

Our review on the topic: “Antioxidant - what is it” has come to an end. We hope we were able to convey the information in an intelligible form. The drugs we were talking about are not medicines in the full sense of the word. You can probably live without them, but with them, the cure for most diseases occurs much faster, and the quality of life of even healthy and young people improves much, thanks to the surge of energy that they will receive. Whatever you choose for yourself, be it preparations with coenzyme Q10, the Complivit mineral complex, antioxidants of youth hidden in tubes of cream, it should certainly be beneficial, because such a choice in itself means an interest in strengthening your own health .

Advertisements for many products, cosmetics, and medications contain the concept of antioxidants. Find out what these substances are, how antioxidants and radicals affect the human body. What are the best antioxidants and what foods contain them? Do they really help keep the body young? Understand the differences, harms and benefits of antioxidants.

What are antioxidants

Oxidative processes constantly occur in the human body, during which cells are destroyed. Free radicals are to blame, weakening the immune system and accelerating the aging process of organs and tissues. Antioxidants are needed to combat them. These substances:

1. actively inhibit the oxidative process in the body;
2. prevent destruction of the cell membrane.

With a lack of antioxidants, the body ceases to function normally: first, malaise appears, then various diseases develop. Over time, the amount of these substances increases: the aging process accelerates, a person feels worse and worse. There are many negative consequences of free radicals in the body.

Antioxidants are vital for humans. The main source of their production are products of plant origin (natural antioxidants). Another type is artificial antioxidants. These include specially developed dietary supplements, medications, and nutritional supplements. If you take the best antioxidants, they will be a good help for the immune system, but they cannot completely replace natural products.

Natural

Antioxidants contained in foods:

1. Among the berries, the leaders in their content are: cranberries, blackberries, blueberries.
2. There are also useful substances in raspberries, apples, bananas, strawberries, rose hips, cherries, sweet cherries, and garden currants.
3. Red varieties of potatoes and tomatoes are rich in antioxidants. Garlic, artichoke, carrots, beans, broccoli, onions, and garlic are valuable.
4. Among the nuts, the leading ones are hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, and pistachios.
5. In addition to these products, antioxidants include ginger, cocoa, butter, milk, liver, heart, chocolate, and eggs.

Important: drinks also contain antioxidants. They are found in all freshly squeezed fruit juices, especially pomegranate, grape, orange, tangerine, and apple. A powerful antioxidant that fights cancer cells in the body is apple juice. Contains many antioxidants:

1. tea (green, freshly brewed black);
2. red wine;
3. cognac, beer;
4. coffee (ground has an antioxidant effect).

Synthetic drugs

Even if you eat a completely plant-based diet and drink only natural drinks, it is impossible to completely compensate for the lack of antioxidants in the body. Multivitamins, dietary supplements, vitamins, and medications sold in pharmacies will come to the rescue. The list of the most common drugs for fighting radicals includes Ginkgo biloba, Vitrum antioxidant, Lipin, Synergin, Selenium forte, Glutargin. Features of application:

1. Taking medications is mandatory for those working with hazardous factors, living in places with unfavorable ecology, smokers and those over 40 years old.
2. Dosage according to instructions. Many of the existing drugs are recommended to be taken one tablet at a time. The course of administration is at least 1-2 months before or after meals. Weight loss, rejuvenation, and cleansing of the body are possible only if the dosage of the drug is observed.
3. Contraindications to the drugs: pregnancy, breastfeeding, individual intolerance to the components.
4. When choosing a drug, it is necessary to take into account the season. In summer and autumn, antioxidants of indirect action are recommended, in spring and winter - of direct action.
5. Even when taking the best antioxidant pills, side effects are possible: anxiety, excessive nervousness, problems sleeping. Sometimes they cause vomiting.

Medicines

Antioxidants in medicine are sold in the form of drops, tablets, capsules. Before buying anything at a pharmacy, you should study the composition in detail and read reviews. There are reputable companies on the Russian market that produce effective medications to combat radicals in the body, so you can purchase them too. Let's talk about pharmaceutical antioxidants using Bifidum and Resveratrol as an example:

1. Bifidum with antibiotics is useful for correcting intestinal microflora and high-quality absorption of nutrients in the body. It contains dihydroquercetin, a powerful antioxidant, which normalizes metabolism at the cellular level, improves capillary function, slows down the aging of the body, and inhibits oxidative processes. The antioxidant activity of Bifidum is higher than, for example, that of vitamin C.
2. Resveratrol is a popular drug with a huge number of rave reviews. It was developed in 2003. A positive effect on the human body is achieved due to the content of three geroprotectors: resveratol, catechins and quarcetin. The drug is effective for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, cancer, nervous disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. It fights free radicals in the body and improves the psycho-emotional state. The substance has pronounced antioxidant activity.

Vitamins

Everyone knows the names of drugs with antioxidant effects - Complivit Radiance, vitamins with beta-carotene Vitrum, Vitrum Antioxidant:

1. Complivit is available in tablet form. It contains calcium, copper, manganese, lipoic acid and a host of other useful substances. The drug is recommended for stimulating the immune system, improving metabolism, brain function, and improving the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Helps remove toxins from the body. Thanks to green tea extract, it has a pronounced antioxidant effect.
2. Vitrum Antioxidant is a complex of minerals and vitamins with powerful antioxidant activity. Indications for use: period after illness, hypovitaminosis, lack of minerals. The complex helps stabilize metabolic processes, remove toxic substances, and increase the body's defenses. Strengthens hair and nails.

Cosmetics

Antioxidants are widely used in Librederm products. For example, they contain the antioxidant cream Libriderm for the face with vitamin E. Thanks to the content of lecithin and tocopherol, the product slows down skin aging, perfectly moisturizes, protects from ultraviolet rays, and normalizes lipid metabolism. A powerful antioxidant complex is contained in CORA creams and gels. All products help prevent premature aging and the appearance of wrinkles. When using them, the skin becomes velvety and smooth.

If you can’t stick to proper nutrition and don’t want to take overpriced pills, you can use dietary supplements containing fatty acids:

1. One of the best antioxidants (according to reviews) from this group is the Mega dietary supplement. It contains omega-3 fatty acids necessary for the normal functioning of the entire body. The dietary supplement normalizes blood pressure, reduces the risk of strokes, and helps prevent drying out. Improves skin condition, fights inflammatory processes in the human body.
2. Another popular dietary supplement is Life formula. The drug replenishes the lack of minerals and vitamins in the body and provides immune protection. The dietary supplement supports the reproductive system of women and men, has a positive effect on the production of hormones, improves vision, gives energy, and has a general tonic and antitumor effect. It is not advisable to give the drug to a child.

Video about the benefits and harms of antioxidants

Are antioxidants beneficial? Yes, we need them, as they help preserve youth. There are huge amounts of these substances in food and medicines, but you always need to know when to stop. Uncontrolled intake of antioxidants can result in significant health problems. You should not take large quantities of medications containing vitamin E, A or C. We recommend watching the videos presented for more information about the benefits and harms of antioxidants.

Natural springs

The best antioxidants are natural foods. Include vegetables, berries, and fruits of bright colors (green, orange, red, blue, black) in your diet. Most plants have a powerful antioxidant effect. These are: Chinese lemongrass, hibiscus, rosemary. Find out in the video how, by consuming plant foods daily, you can compensate for the lack of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the body. Find out which foods that contain large amounts of calcium are essential for your health.

Free radicals

Due to smoking, stress, poor environment, poor quality water, the use of preservatives in products, and lack of vitamins, the number of free radicals increases in humans. They affect and modify healthy cells. The damage caused by free radicals to the body only accumulates with age. Don't know what to do to protect yourself from harmful substances? Check out the video for a complete definition of radicals and learn more about their mechanism of action.