Vitamin E: Antioxidant Properties

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of vitamin E in the body?

To facilitate iron absorption

To maintain healthy teeth and gums

To reduce the effect of aging and prevent membrane peroxidation (correct)

To regulate the immune system

Which of the following is not a source of vitamin E?

Fish (correct)

Green leafy vegetables

Dairy products

Vegetable oils

What is the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E?

40 IU/day

30 IU/day

20 IU/day (correct)

10 IU/day

What is the effect of high doses of vitamin E on subjects with low vitamin K status?

Increased clotting time Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of vitamin A in the body?

To regulate the immune system and maintain healthy vision Signup and view all the answers

What happens to vitamin C when food is cooked?

It is destroyed Signup and view all the answers

What is a condition that increases the body's requirement for vitamin C?

Pregnancy Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of vitamin C in the body?

To protect cells against damage by free radicals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary antioxidant found in grapes?

Resveratrol Signup and view all the answers

What is the main action of Resveratrol?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a constituent of Turmeric?

Ginsenosides Signup and view all the answers

What is the main action of Ginseng?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of scurvy?

Not eating enough fruits and vegetables Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Green and Black tea?

Drying method Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of high doses of vitamin C on healthy adults?

Not toxic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a constituent of Green and Black tea?

Alkaloids Signup and view all the answers

What is the main action of Theobromine in Green and Black tea?

Mild diuretic Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of flavonoids in plants?

To play a role in normal growth and development Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an action of Resveratrol?

CNS stimulant Signup and view all the answers

What is the antioxidant effect of phenolic acids?

To prevent the damage of cells from free-radical oxidation reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the common source of flavonoids?

Fruits and berries Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of untreated scurvy?

Bleeding gums and loosened teeth Signup and view all the answers

Why is scurvy rare in infants?

Because breast milk contains enough vitamin C Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of flavonoids on human health?

They have a protective effect against vascular diseases and certain types of cancers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vitamin E

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant that reduces the effects of aging and prevents membrane peroxidation in RBCs, muscles, nerves, and retina.
The antioxidant effect of vitamin E is due to the presence of the phenolic - OH group on C6 of the ring.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin E is 20 IU/day.
Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, dairy products, and fortified breakfast cereals.
High doses of vitamin E can increase clotting time in subjects with low vitamin K status.

Vitamin A and Carotenoids

Vitamin A is important for vision, bone growth, reproduction, and cell division, and regulates the immune system.
Vitamin A can be found in animal sources (retinol) and plant sources (carotenoid).
Foods rich in vitamin A include dairy products, liver, eggs, fruits, and vegetables (such as carrots, cantaloupes, and sweet potatoes).

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the formation, growth, and repair of bone, skin, and connective tissue.
It helps maintain healthy teeth and gums, aids in iron absorption, and promotes healing of burns and wounds.
Vitamin C protects cells against damage by free radicals.
Cooking can destroy some vitamin C in foods.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, fever, surgery, and smoking increase the body's requirements for vitamin C.
High doses (2 gm/day) of vitamin C are not toxic to healthy adults.
Scurvy is a disease caused by a severe vitamin C deficiency, which can lead to bleeding gums, loosened teeth, and bleeding under the skin.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are important in plant growth, development, and defense against infection and injury.
They are responsible for the colors of flowers, fruits, and leaves.
Flavonoids have antioxidant activity and may have protective effects against vascular diseases and certain types of cancers.
Foods rich in flavonoids include flowers, berries, and fruits (such as grapes, hibiscus, and citrus fruits).

Phenolic Acids

Phenolic acids are found in cereals and are readily absorbed through the intestinal tract walls.
They have antioxidant effects and may prevent damage to cells resulting from free-radical oxidation reactions.
Examples of phenolic acids include ferulic, caffeic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and vanillic acids.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is found in grapes and has antioxidant effects.
It has protective effects against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
It is also a cancer chemoprotective agent, anti-inflammatory, and anti-platelet.

Turmeric (Curcuma)

Turmeric contains curcuminoids (curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, and bis desmethoxycurcumin) and volatile oils.
It has hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Ginseng

Ginseng contains saponins (ginsenosides), flavonoids, volatile oil, peptides, proteins, and polysaccharides.
It has various effects, including:
- General tonic (treats exhaustion and hypotension)
- CNS stimulant (improves age-related depression and lack of concentration)
- Enhances memory
- Hepatoprotective
- Protects neurons against ischemic damage
- Antioxidant
- Immunomodulatory
- Improves carbohydrate tolerance in diabetics

Green and Black Tea

Black tea is produced through the fermentation of tea leaves, which involves oxidation under controlled temperature and humidity for months to years.
Green tea is produced through the drying of fresh tea leaves without fermentation.
Tea constituents include:
- Alkaloids (caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline)
- Polyphenols (flavanols, flavonols, flavondiols, and phenolic acids)
- Saponins
- Tannins
- Volatile oils
- Bisflavanols and theaflavins (formed during the manufacture of black tea)
Tea has various effects, including:
- CNS stimulant (caffeine > theophylline > theobromine)
- Mild diuretic (theobromine > theophylline > caffeine)

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Description

Learn about the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E, its effects on the body, and its commercial uses. This quiz covers the benefits of Vitamin E, including reducing aging, preventing membrane peroxidation, and preventing heart diseases.