Antioxidants
- a. Chapter 10 looks at nutrients involved in antioxidant function. Research indicates, at the cellular level, that antioxidants may help in the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration. How do they do this? Explain.
Antioxidants are substances found in food that help protect cellular cells against damage caused by free radicals. The radical caused by free radicals, which are the unstable molecular substance that the body produces, often leads to ailments such as cancer, heart diseases, and macular degeneration. They cause heart diseases and macular degeneration because they destroy the lining of arteries. Their elimination is thus crucial to the health of an individual.
- If they do offer benefits, then why, when people take these antioxidants in supplement form, have studies not shown the same benefits? Read the article and the two abstracts below and discuss each; note and explain the mechanism by which risk for chronic disease such as cancer is increased by taking antioxidant supplement
Researchers argue that the effort to destroy free radicals leads to what is known as the antioxidants paradox. The article describes the paradox as the dilemma that arises in the attempt to balance the destruction of free radicals and maintain a healthy volume to fight bacteria and other invaders. The use of vitamins destroys a huge number of free radicals exposing the body to the risk of diseases such as cancer as the immune system is compromised.
- Article review
In the article by the Guardian, Weaver, a seminal nutritionist illuminates the fact that the use of supplements increases the risk of cancer and heart diseases from an empirical perspective. The patients were given beta Carotene dosage.
The experimental group showed an increase in the risk of diseases. Although the authors did not conclude why the use of Vitamin supplements increased the risk of infections, researchers are recently aware that supplements increase the amount of antioxidants in the body, thus destroying free radicals beyond the amount the body needs to fight pathogens.
- Focuses on nutrients involved in bone health. How is blood calcium regulated, and how are our bones affected in the process? What are some good ways to incorporate Calcium into our diets? How would you advise someone with lactose intolerance?i.e., what foods could they eat to get the recommended amounts of Calcium? What other nutrients are important in bone health? Your friend’s grandmother just broke her hip, and is asking you- so just what is osteoporosis, anyway? Who is at risk? What sorts of dietary and lifestyle habits increase risk? Decrease the risk? Your answers/explanations?
Blood calcium is regulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is released when the amount of Calcium is low. The hormone then stimulates osteoclasts, which, in turn, breaks down bone to release Calcium into the blood, thus weakening the bones. However, an individual can increase diet in their body by increasing the intake of dairy foods, eating more fish, and eating leafy vegetables. A person with lactose intolerance would be disadvantaged because they cannot increase the intake of daily meals. The individuals should eat more fish and leafy vegetables; eat more of Brazilian nuts or almonds, while decreasing their caffeine intake. The other nutrient that is needed for healthy bones is Vitamin D. Vitamin D improves the absorption of Calcium as well as bone growth. When individual losses too much bone, they have osteoporosis. It results in weak, fragile bones that can break on even sneezing. It is mainly caused by a prolonged lack of Calcium in the body. Restricting one’s diet to foods that are not rich in Calcium and being overweight for both men and women increases the risk of the disease. Consequently, eating a diet that is rich in Calcium decreases the risk factor of the disease.
Chapter 12 looks at nutrients involved in blood health and immunity. Which nutrients are essential here, and why? What should one eat to enhance their protection? The nutrition debate in this chapter focuses on one of these nutrients- Zinc- and its role (helpful or not?) in fighting the common cold. What do you think? Support your answer. Do you think supplements and herbs boost immunity? Or are food sources better? Explain.
Also: Find an article or YouTube video on this topic, review, and share the link with the class
Blood health and immune systems rely on various Vitamins and minerals. Vitamins include Vitamin K, B, B-12, and minerals include Iron, Copper, and Zinc. One should eat to enhance their immunity because it needs balanced intakes of the minerals and vitamins to boost the immune system. Failure to eat foods rich in the minerals weakens the immune system. For example, Iron homeostasis is critical because a great deal of iron is bad for blood health and immunity. Iron overdose is among the leading cause of death. The mineral Zinc is also vital in the body because it is needed by a record 300 enzymes to function correctly, besides the fact it regulates gene expression. However, the chapter interrogated whether Zinc helps protect against the common cold, and the verdict is that it helps reduce common cold duration and protect against upper respiratory disease if taken within a reasonable amount. Food sources are better than supplements and herbs for boosting immunity. Food sources ensure that there is no excessive intake of minerals and vitamins needed for healthy immune.
Reference
Blake, J. S. (2008). Nutrition & you. Benjamin Cummings.