Antioxidant
Vitamins for Seniors
Antioxidant Vitamins for Seniors
By: Dr. George Obikoya
Seniors are prone to nutritional and vitamin deficiencies
because they are at risk for being malnourished. They are particularly
at risk for many reasons including poor appetite due to medications,
disability, or reduced food intake due to intestinal disorders,
diabetes, or restrictive diets. As we age, our ability to properly
process nutrients decreases, sometimes dramatically. This can also
contribute to poor vitamin absorption. To combat both reduced food
intake and nutrient absorption, liquid multivitamins are recommended.
It is estimated that 40% of the U.S. population takes vitamin supplements,
and recently much public and scientific interest has been directed
toward antioxidants in particular.1
Antioxidant nutrients are believed to play a role in the prevention
and treatment of a variety of chronic diseases, ranging from asthma
to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. The proposed mechanism
by which antioxidants protect cells from oxidative stress is by
scavenging free radicals and halting lipid peroxidation chain reactions,
which can cause damage to DNA, our genetic blueprint. 2
In light of new research on the importance of these vitamins to
overall heath, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently released
new dietary guidelines for intake of the antioxidant nutrients vitamin
C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and selenium. In addition, a variety
of other nutrients are believed to be involved in antioxidant processes,
and are strongly recommended that adequate amounts of these are
consumed daily.
Two forms of chemical reactions, oxidation and reduction, occur
widely in nature. Iron rusts, which is caused by oxidation. Oxidation
is the loss of electrons, and reduction is the gain of electrons.
Oxidation and reduction reactions always occur in pairs, i.e., when
one atom or molecule is oxidized, another is reduced. Highly reactive
molecules can oxidize molecules (i.e., remove electrons from molecules)
that were previously stable, and may cause them to become unstable
species, such as free radicals.
A free radical is a chemical "species" with an unpaired
electron that can be neutral, positively charged, or negatively
charged. Although a few stable free radicals are known, most are
very reactive. In free radical chain reactions, the radical product
of one reaction becomes the starting material for another, propagating
free radical damage. This is essentially the oxidative process,
and it continues on and on as a chain reaction until stopped.
A certain amount of oxidative function is necessary for proper health.
For example, oxidation processes are used by the body's immune systems
to kill microorganisms.3 However, the level of toxic reactive oxygen
intermediates (ROI) can sometimes overcome the antioxidant defenses
of the host, resulting in an excess of free radicals and a state
called oxidative stress. These free radicals can induce local injury
by reacting with lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The interaction
of free radicals with cellular lipids leads to membrane damage and
the generation of lipid peroxide byproducts. Seniors are particularly
prone to this state of affairs because of their often-poor nutritional
status. This is why seniors absolutely need an ample supplies of
antioxidants.
The major water-soluble antioxidant metabolites are glutathione
(GSH), the B vitamins, and vitamin C. Vitamin E and the carotenoids
are the principal lipid-soluble antioxidants. Vitamin E is the major
lipid-soluble antioxidant in cell membranes that can break the chain
of lipid peroxidation. Therefore, theoretically, vitamin E is the
most important antioxidant in preventing oxidation of these fatty
acids. Vitamin E is recycled by a reaction with vitamin C, so adequate
vitamin C should be consumed when taking Vitamin E.
Despite the actions of antioxidant nutrients, some oxidative damage
will occur, and accumulation of this damage throughout life is believed
to be a major contributing factor to aging and disease.3 We can,
therefore, minimize this effect of free radicals by starting to
take antioxidants daily and regularly. The earlier this process
is started, the less damage will occur. Starting in childhood would
certainly be ideal, but starting anytime is far preferred to not
starting at all and letting the damage continue.
Observational studies provide fairly consistent data for an inverse
association between high intake of antioxidant vitamins and cancer
risk. The data is strongest for beta-carotene and vitamin C and
their ability to reduce cancer risk is well documented.
For cardiovascular risk, beta-carotene and vitamin E appear to modify
the oxidation of LDL-C, making it less prone to cause thickening
of the walls of the blood vessels, and vitamin C appears to reduce
hypertension. These effects combine to reduce risk of cardiovascular
disease.
Research studies show that beta-carotene from fruits and vegetables
and supplemental vitamin E are beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular
disease, but take care to avoid synthetic beta-carotene.
The carotenoids, vitamins E and C are implicated in the maintenance
of ocular function, and vitamins E and C appear to offer some protection
against asthma.
In general, seniors should be encouraged to eat a balanced diet
but they also need a daily and regular consumption of antioxidants,
in order to protect them from the ravages of free radicals, which
they tend to have in abundance. Pay particular attention to the
fact that many seniors do not get proper diets and often have decreased
ability to absorb and use vitamins and nutrients, and know that
a liquid multivitamin is the perfect solution.
A good multivitamin is the foundation of health
and nutrition. Take a look at our scientific reviews of many of
the popular brands for factors such as ingredients, areas of improvement,
quality level, and overall value. If you are looking for a high
quality liquid multivitamin, we suggest that you take a look at
the Multivitamin
Product Comparisons.
References
1. Meyers DG, Maloley PA, Weeks D. Safety of antioxidant vitamins.
Arch Intern Med. 1996; 156: 925-35.
2. Sun Y. Free radicals, antioxidant enzymes, and carcinogenesis.
Free Radic Biol Med. 1990 ; 8: 583-99.
3. Winkler BS, Boulton ME, Gottsch JD, Sternberg P. Oxidative damage
and age-related macular degeneration. Mole Vis. 1999; 5: 32
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