NUTR 1010 Lecture : Nutrition Week 7.docx
10 Apr 2012
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Document Summary
Nutrients that may function as antioxidants: vitamin e, vitamin c, beta-carotene, vitamin a. Compounds that protect our cells from damage caused by oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which an atom loses electrons (if you take an electron you lose that balance) When you lose electrons its called oxidation but you will eventually gain another one and that is called reduction. In most exchange reactions, unpaired electrons immediately pair up w/ other unpaired electrons: oxidation followed by eduction creates a new stabilized atom. Sometimes, atoms w/ unpaired electrons remain unpaired: creates highly unstable atoms. Radicals (out bodies don"t like it because they are unbalanced) Oxidation reactions in the body: occur all the time. Other metabolic processes: e. g. when immune system fights infection. Other factors: you can"t control when oxidation occurs, however there are times when you might be in control of free radicals. Environmental stuff: we need to produce free radicals.
