Antioxidant
(உயிர் வளியேற்ற எதிர்ப்பொருள்)
Oxidation என்றால் என்ன?
Oxidation என்பது ஒரு அணுக்கருவின் வெளி வட்டப்பாதையில் சுற்றுகின்ற எலக்ட்ரான்களில் ஒன்றை, உயிர் வளியேற்றத் துணைப்பொருளுக்கு
மாற்றச்செய்யும் ஒரு வேதியியல் எதிர்வினையாகும்.
Oxidation ஆல் ஏற்படும் இத்தகைய எதிர்வினைகள், உயிரணுக்களைச்
சேதப்படுத்துகின்ற தனி உறுப்புகளை உருவாக்கக் கூடியவை. (Oxidation reactions
can produce free radicals)
மேலும் இது சங்கிலித் தொடர் போல தொடர்ச்சியாக அனைத்து செல்களுக்கும் பரவக் கூடியதாகும். (Oxidation
is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to
an oxidizing agent.)
Antioxidant என்றால் என்ன?
ஒரு Antioxidant (உயிர் வளியேற்ற எதிர்ப்பொருள்) என்பது மற்ற மூலக்கூறுகளின் Oxidation ஐ (உயிர் வளியேற்றத்தை) தாமதிக்கச்செய்கின்ற அல்லது தடுக்கின்ற திறனுள்ள மூலக்கூறு ஆகும். (An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits
the oxidation of other molecules.)
Oxidationஆல் ஏற்படுகின்ற தொடர் விளைவுகளையும், free radicals எனும் தனி உறுப்பு இடையீட்டுப் பொருள்களையும் Antioxidantகள் அழிக்கின்றன என்பதுடன், தங்களைத்
தாங்களே உயிர் வளியேற்றம் செய்துகொண்டு பிற உயிர் வளியேற்ற எதிர்விளைவுகளைத் தடுக்கச்
செய்கின்றன. (In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions.
When the chain reaction occurs in a cell, it can cause
damage or death to the cell. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by
removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions. They
do this by being oxidized themselves, so antioxidants are often reducing agents
such as thiols, ascorbic acid, or poly phenols )
Although oxidation
reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; plants and animals
maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E as well
as enzymes such as catalyses, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidase.
Insufficient levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the
antioxidant enzymes, cause oxidative stress
and may damage or kill cells. Oxidative stress is damage to cell structure and
cell function by overly reactive oxygen-containing molecules and chronic
excessive inflammation. Oxidative stress seems to play a significant role in
many human diseases, including
cancers. The use of antioxidants in pharmacology is
intensively studied, particularly as treatments for stroke and neuro degenerative diseases. For these reasons, oxidative
stress can be considered to be both the cause and the consequence of some
diseases.
Antioxidants are
widely used in dietary supplements and have been investigated for the
prevention of diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease and even altitude sickness.
Although initial studies suggested that antioxidant supplements might promote
health, later large clinical
trials of antioxidant supplements including beta-carotene, vitamin
A, and vitamin E singly or in different combinations suggest that
supplementation has no effect on mortality or possibly increases it. Randomized
clinical trials of antioxidants including beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C
and selenium have shown no effect on cancer risk or increased cancer risk
associated with supplementation. Supplementation with selenium or vitamin E
does not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Antioxidant Rich Foods
Spices are packed with polyphenols, which are plant-based
compounds that function as antioxidants. Free radicals are molecules that cause
damage to healthy cells, resulting in ageing and disease. Polyphenols
neutralise free radicals to inhibit oxidative damage. By consuming foods rich
in polyphenols, we boost our immune systems and reduce cellular inflammation.
Paprika (குண்டு மிளகாய்)
Rich
in antioxidants, paprika boosts cardiovascular health and aids cancer
prevention, too. Paprika contains flavonoids that neutralize free radicals and
promote healthy detoxification. Paprika may also alleviate the chronic pain and
inflammation associated with arthritis.
Chillies (மிளகாய்)
Chillies
are packed with antioxidants and have various other disease preventive and
curative properties. Capsaicin, the primary component in chilli peppers,
stifles the growth of prostate cancer cells. It could also prevent the
shrinking of cancerous tumors. Research suggests that chillies may also improve
heart health
and help to prevent obesity.
Mustard
is a spice that has powerful pain-relieving, antiseptic, and expectorant
properties. Its antioxidant component helps treat a range of conditions, right
from allergies to arthritis. Mustard also enhances digestion, defends healthy
cells against damaging free radicals and prevents diseases such as cancer.
Turmeric (மஞ்சள்)
Curcumin
is the main compound in turmeric. It has powerful antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties that make it a highly effective medicinal spice.
It destroys the blood vessels that feed cancerous tumours, cutting off the
blood supply to cancerous cells. Curcumin can also inhibit the development of
metastasis.
Oregano (கற்பூர வள்ளி)
Oregano
is rich in antioxidants
and helps protect against a wide range of infections. Carvacrol, a molecule
present in oregano, may help counteract the spread of cancer cells.
Ginger (இஞ்சி)
Ginger
is a powerful antioxidant spice that helps with the treatment of everything
from colds to Alzheimer’s disease. It may also help reduce the inflammation
associated with joint pain and arthritis. Research also suggests that ginger has
cancer-preventive potential.
Cinnamon (இலவங்க பட்டை)
The
antioxidants
in cinnamon help stabilize blood sugar levels and manage diabetes.
Studies suggest that cinnamon may help with increasing insulin sensitivity,
lowering cholesterol
levels, reducing inflammation and slowing down cancerous tumour growth.
