Dietary influences antioxidants

Banerjee. Influence of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on antioxidant defense system in rat comparison with ascorbic acid. Indian J Exp Biol 2000 38(6) 604-606. 

Shobana, S., and K. A. Naidu. Antioxidant activity of selected Indian spices. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Eatty Acids 2000 62(2) 107-110. Ahmed, R. S., V. Seth, S. T. Pasha, and B. D. Banerjee. Influence of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on oxidative stress induced by malathion in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2000 38(5) 443-450. 

Serotonin and melatonin are evidently involved in maintenance of the 24-h circadian rhythm of the body (see Section 13).792/792a Melatonin regulates the sexual cycle in photoperiodic animals and influences the onset of puberty.792-794 The serotonin content of the brain is influenced by the diet, being higher after a meal rich in carbohydrates. Serotonin may serve as a chemical message sent from one set of neurons to the rest of the brain, reporting on the nature of dietary intake.784 Melatonin, which can readily form free radicals, may function as part of the body s antioxidant system.795 796... 

In growing chicks, a deficiency can result in (i) encephalomalacia or crazy chick disease (ii) exudative diathesis, an oedema caused by excessive capillary permeability or (iii) muscular dystrophy. Encephalomalacia occurs when the diet contains unsaturated fats that are susceptible to rancidity. Some antioxidants, in addition to vitamin E, are also effective against encephalomalacia. Exudative diathesis is prevented by dietary selenium, and muscular dystrophy is a complex disease influenced by vitamin E, selenium, and the... 

Figure 4. Dietary fat and antioxidant influences on DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis.

Variations in the use pattern of industrial and agricultural chemicals throughout the world preclude standardization by international organizations such as OECD. Despite this fact, common dietary constituents, which are known to influence toxicity are antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids, and selenium. These must be present in interfering concentrations. The potential impact of several common dietary contaminants on chronic toxicity assessment therefore, necessitates that special attention be given to their presence. In this respect, substances of concern include pesticide residues, chlorinated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, estrogens, heavy metals, nitrosamines, and mycotoxins. 

We have evaluated the biochemical response of mice to ADR treatment when fed either Mn-sufficient or -deficient diets. In addition we varied the level of vitamin E to assess the influence of a combined deficit of dietary antioxidants on ADR toxicity (33). 

Phenolic and polyphenolic compounds are the most active dietary antioxidants (14). The structural variation of phenolic antioxidants directly influences their physical properties, resulting in differences in their antioxidant activity. BHA and BHT are examples of phenols, in which the aromatic ring contains alkyl groups (hindered phenols), which are extremely effective as antioxidants (11). 

Awareness of healthful constituents in foods that can exert a positive influence on health, by reducing risk from cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer s disease, and others has also increased [6]. These include antioxidants, soluble fibers, trace elements, and anti-microbials. Much of the available information is anecdotal or from the non-peer reviewed literature, and awaits scientific research to catch up with observations from advocates of various types and sources of foods. Also, dietary supplements are expanding in the market place as the source of nutraceuticals in place of natural sources in foods, stimulating questions regarding their bioavailability and relative benefits. 

Polyphenols, such as curcumin, quercetin and resveratrol, are some examples of naturally occurring phytochemicals with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, beneficial cardiovascular effects," antiatherosclerotic effects, chemopreventive, and anticarcinogenic effects. An abundance of mechanistic information has become available on how polyphenols derived from dietary sources, which have putative chemopreventive properties, interfere with tumor promotion and progression. The effect of these bioactive compounds on the organism is influenced by their bioavailability, namely, their ability to be effectively absorbed by the human body. However, the polyphenols have a poor bioavailability and are rapidly metabolized by human body, losing their potential beneficial effects. ... 

King, M.M., McCoy, P.B., and Russo, I., 1983, Dietary fat influences on the effectiveness of dietary antioxidants as tumor inhibitors, "Diet and Cancer From Basic Research to... 

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