On Nutrition: Oxidation can both help and hurt, depending on context | Health

Expensive A.Q.: It does appear to be a paradox at first look: Oxygen is crucial for all times, so why would we wish any substances to work towards it?

The reply rests with oxygen’s tendency to react and mix with different parts in varied circumstances. It’s good when oxygen combines with fats, carbohydrate or protein in a programmed, disciplined manner, producing power and constructing physique tissues and substances. As a part of our defenses, oxygen reacts with and disables harmful organisms or substances — one other manner oxidation proves its important mettle.

However what about oxygen’s skill to react with stuff within the flawed manner, or on the flawed place and time? That is an omnipresent risk to crops, which must sprout, develop and reproduce amid the oxidizing rays of the solar. Every plant depends on its distinctive complement of phytochemical antioxidants to maintain issues underneath management.

Within the human physique, errant oxidation is usually a dangerous enterprise, taking part in a job in coronary heart illness, most cancers, growing old, bacterial and viral illnesses, and basic types of irritation, together with arthritis. We can not produce the number of antioxidants present in crops, which explains why sure vitamins are designated as “important.” A plant-based, whole-food food regimen continues to show essentially the most healthful kind.

The understanding of oxidation, and the invention of antioxidant compounds, is an instance of science giving us chapter and verse of what makes sure meals so good for us — and conversely, what occurs once we fail to offer the physique what it wants to keep up our well being.

Symphony music offers an apt analogy. Consider the final word conductor, with a expertise honed over generations of household traditions and coaching. Conductors direct musicians to play their components and comply with directions with each nuanced flick of the baton. The end result? High quality music, analogous to good well being in our story. If these devices are out of tune, or if the musicians don’t comply with the rating, the result’s disharmonythat even one of the best conductor won’t be capable of repair. Or, it might be the conductor that’s the issue.

The physique has defenses to permit healthful oxidation whereas stopping the errant model from inflicting hurt. These defenses depend on a provide of antioxidant vitamins, together with vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin E and selenium. These are present in greens, fruits and grains, the place they serve this protecting objective for the plant within the soil; on the plate, they will work as allies for our physique’s defenses.

A well-nourished physique is maintained on varied vitamins, ideally from quite a lot of entire plant meals, the place substances developed to work collectively. Distinction this with dietary dietary supplements, the place sure antioxidants are singled out and promoted. In that music analogy (additionally relevant to any staff effort), this would possibly happen when consideration and funding get dedicated to the celebrities, whereas the important supporting forged is uncared for. Keep away from counting on one substance or complement; such an method will neglect essential supporting gamers.

Ed Blonz, Ph.D., is a vitamin scientist and an assistant medical professor on the College of California, San Francisco. He’s the writer of the digital guide “The Wellness Grocery store Shopping for Information” (2012), which can also be obtainable as a free digital useful resource at blonz.com/guide.