Latest news with #antioxidant
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract
Crepidiastrum denticulatum , a member of the Asteraceae family that is also known as Youngia denticulatum , is traditionally consumed as a vegetable in Korea. The plant is known to confer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as protective effects. Air pollutants exact a toll on the skin, promoting the development of acne, atopic dermatitis, pigmentary changes, and wrinkles. C denticulatum is seen on skin cream labels as Pollux CD to help shield the skin against various stressors found in air pollution, including particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons containing benzo[a]pyrene, heavy metals, and ultraviolet (UV) B radiation. C denticulatum is included in anti-aging skin care (and found in Zerafite Wrinkle Defense Barrier Cream) because it has been found to increase autophagy and decrease cellular senescence. This column focuses on the available evidence that supports the use of this natural extract in skin care. Leslie S. Baumann, MD Autophagy and Protection Against Skin Pollution In 2019, Yoon et al. screened numerous natural extracts to quantify their autophagy activation efficacy in cultured dermal fibroblasts, given the spate of evidence that autophagy activation can protect the skin from oxidation-induced cellular damage and signs of aging. Cells treated by C denticulatum extracts demonstrated the greatest autophagic vacuole development in the noncytotoxic range. The investigators reported that C denticulatum treatment yielded the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate kinase, although it did not suppress the mammalian target of rapamycin. They also assessed the anti-pollution activity of the extract using model substances, benzo[a]pyrene and cadmium chloride, with the C denticulatum extract treatment of the skin, particularly as anti-inflammatory, antipollution cosmetic agents. Anti-aging In 2020, Park et al. studied the influence of various UVB radiation levels on the development of the functional constituents of C denticulatum . They observed that none of the UVB levels (0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.25 W m-2) conferred negative effects on shoot dry weight after 6 days of 6-h exposure. Shoot fresh weight was suppressed by the higher energy treatments (1.0 and 1.25 W m-2). Total carotenoid content was elevated by 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 W m-2 energy levels. Antioxidant capacity, hydroxycinnamic acid content, and multiple sesquiterpenes were augmented on day 4 by 0.25 W m-2 treatment. The researchers determined that they had identified the potential of 0.25 W m-2 UVB to efficiently synthesize bioactive constituents of C denticulatum without suppressing growth. In a 2015 study, Kim et al. investigated the impact of various youngiaside extracts on extrinsic aging. In evaluating the molecular mechanisms of the extracts in UVB-irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts, they found that the C denticulatum constituents reduced matrix metalloproteinase expression and production. Collagen expression and synthesis were also increased in human dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, the investigators observed that the extracts significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzyme expression, thus down-regulating the reactive oxygen species generated by UVB exposure. Other notable results included decreased phosphorylation of I-kappa-B-alphaand IKK alpha/beta , suppressed nuclear factor kappa-B (NF kappa-B) p65 nuclear translocation, and robust inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators. The investigators concluded that the tested substances found in C denticulatum have the potential to prevent and treat cutaneous aging. Animal Studies Indicate Protective Benefits In 2014, Ahn et al. found that an ethanol extract of C denticulatum significantly shielded retinal ganglion cells from eradication caused by optic nerve crush in a mouse model of glaucoma. They also determined that the primary active constituents of the herbal extract were the hydroxycinnamic acids chicoric acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, which have demonstrated the capacity to protect from retinal damage in multiple in vivo and in vitro studies. Later in 2014, Yoo et al. reported on the antioxidant and detoxifying activity of C denticulatum extracts. The researchers found that the botanical agent exerted hepatoprotective benefits against chronic alcohol-induced liver damage in rats. Specifically, rats treated with C denticulatum experienced substantial attenuation of fatty liver symptoms, with normalization of antioxidative capacity and lipid peroxidation of the liver. The functions of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase were also restored through treatment with C denticulatum . More recently, in 2018, the oral administration of a C denticulatum extract was found to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in improving acute renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. Conclusion
Health Line
22-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
7 Health Benefits of Vitamin C
Vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables, has many health benefits. It helps strengthen our immune system and may help lower blood pressure. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning your body can't produce it. Yet, it has many roles and has been linked to impressive health benefits. It's water-soluble and found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach. The recommended daily intake for vitamin C is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. While it's commonly advised to get your vitamin C intake from foods, many people turn to supplements to meet their needs. Here are 7 scientifically proven benefits of taking a vitamin C supplement. May reduce your risk of chronic disease Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body's natural defenses. Antioxidants are molecules that boost the immune system by protecting cells from harmful molecules called free radicals. When free radicals accumulate, they can promote a state known as oxidative stress, which has been linked to many chronic diseases. A recent review of studies on the importance and usefulness of vitamin C in preventing and treating various conditions highlights the benefits of vitamin C consumption in maintaining optimal health and preventing deficiencies and their related conditions. May help manage high blood pressure Almost one-half of American adults have high blood pressure. High blood pressure puts you at risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally. Studies have shown that vitamin C may help lower blood pressure in both those with and without high blood pressure. An animal study found that taking a vitamin C supplement helped relax the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart, which helped reduce blood pressure levels. Moreover, an analysis of 29 human studies found that taking a vitamin C supplement reduced systolic blood pressure (the upper value) by 3.8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the lower value) by 1.5 mmHg, on average, in participants with normal or high blood pressure. While these results are promising, it's unclear whether the effects on blood pressure are long term. Moreover, people with high blood pressure should not rely on vitamin C alone for treatment. May lower your risk of heart disease Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Many factors increase the risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high triglyceride or LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Vitamin C may help reduce these risk factors, which may reduce heart disease risk. For example, an analysis of 9 studies with a combined 293,172 participants found that after 10 years, people who took at least 700 mg of vitamin C daily had a 25% lower risk of heart disease than those who did not take a vitamin C supplement. Interestingly, another analysis of 15 studies found that consuming vitamin C from foods — not supplements — was linked to a lower risk of heart disease. However, scientists were unsure whether people who consumed vitamin-C-rich foods also followed a healthier lifestyle than people who took a supplement. Thus, it remains unclear whether the differences were due to vitamin C or other aspects of their diet. Another analysis of 13 studies looked at the effects of taking at least 500 mg of vitamin C daily on risk factors for heart disease, such as blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The analysis found that taking a vitamin C supplement significantly reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol by approximately 7.9 mg/dL and blood triglycerides by 20.1 mg/dL. In short, it seems that taking or consuming at least 500 mg of vitamin C daily may reduce the risk of heart disease. However, supplements may not provide additional heart health benefits if you already consume a vitamin-C-rich diet. May reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks Gout is a type of arthritis that affects approximately 4% of American adults. It's incredibly painful and involves inflammation of the joints, especially those of the big toes. People with gout experience swelling and sudden, severe attacks of pain. Gout symptoms appear when there is too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a waste product produced by the body. At high levels, it may crystallize and deposit in the joints. Interestingly, several studies have shown that vitamin C may help reduce uric acid in the blood and, as a result, protect against gout attacks. For example, a study including 1,387 men found that those who consumed the most vitamin C had significantly lower blood levels of uric acid than those who consumed the least. Another study followed 46,994 healthy men over 20 years to determine whether vitamin C intake was linked to developing gout. It found that people who took a vitamin C supplement had a 44% lower gout risk. Additionally, an analysis of 13 studies found that taking a vitamin C supplement over 30 days significantly reduced blood uric acid compared with a placebo. While there appears to be a strong link between vitamin C intake and uric acid levels, more studies are needed on the effects of vitamin C on gout. Helps prevent iron deficiency Iron is an essential nutrient that has a variety of functions in the body. It's necessary for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body. Vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed, such as plant-based sources of iron, into an easier-to-absorb form. This is especially useful for people on a meat-free diet, as meat is a significant source of iron. As a result, vitamin C may help reduce the risk of anemia among people prone to iron deficiency. If you have low iron levels, consuming more vitamin-C-rich foods or taking a vitamin C supplement may help improve your blood iron levels. Boosts immunity One of the main reasons people take vitamin C supplements is to boost their immunity, as vitamin C is involved in many parts of the immune system. First, vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection. Second, vitamin C helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules, such as free radicals. Third, vitamin C is an essential part of the skin's defense system. It's actively transported to the skin, where it can act as an antioxidant and help strengthen the skin's barriers. Studies have also shown that taking vitamin C may shorten wound healing time. What's more, low vitamin C levels have been linked to less favorable health outcomes. For example, people with pneumonia tend to have lower vitamin C levels and vitamin C supplements have been shown to shorten the recovery time. Protects your memory and thinking as you age Dementia is a broad term used to describe symptoms of impaired thinking and memory. It affects 47 million people worldwide and typically occurs among older adults. Studies suggest that oxidative stress and inflammation near the brain, spine, and nerves (altogether known as the central nervous system) can increase the risk of dementia. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant. Low levels of this vitamin have been linked to an impaired ability to think and remember. Moreover, several studies have shown that people with dementia may have lower blood levels of vitamin C. Furthermore, high vitamin C intake from food or supplements has been shown to have a protective effect on thinking and memory as you age. Vitamin C supplements may aid against conditions like dementia if you don't get enough vitamin C from your diet. However, additional human studies are needed to understand the effects of vitamin C supplements on nervous system health. Unproven claims about vitamin C While vitamin C has many scientifically proven benefits, it also has many unfounded claims supported by either weak or no evidence. Here are some unproven claims about vitamin C: Prevents the common cold. While vitamin C appears to reduce the severity of colds and recovery time by 8% in adults and 14% in children, it does not prevent them. Reduces cancer risk. A handful of studies have linked vitamin C intake to a lower risk of several cancers. However, most studies have found that vitamin C does not affect the risk of developing cancer. Protects against eye disease. Vitamin C has been linked to reduced risks of eye diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. However, vitamin C supplements have no effect or may even cause harm. May treat lead toxicity. Although people with lead toxicity appear to have low vitamin C levels, there is no strong evidence from human studies that vitamin C can treat lead toxicity.
CNET
14-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Understanding Vitamin E: Health Benefits, Drawbacks and How to Get Your Daily Dose
If you've paid attention to the composition labels of skincare products, you might have noticed that a lot of them contain vitamin E. Vitamin E can help protect your skin from UV damage when used topically. But that's not all -- you also need to get vitamin E in your diet. Getting enough vitamin E is crucial because it plays a key role in human development and functioning. The vitamin includes eight compounds, but only one of those -- alpha-tocopherol -- is used in the human body. For years now, experts have been debating the pros and cons of vitamin E. Curious about the key takeaways? We've done the research. Here are the upsides and drawbacks. What is vitamin E? Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient found in many foods and is important to the human body in various ways. Vitamin E, in the form of alpha-tocopherol, is a powerful antioxidant that works as a free-radical-fighting machine. While it is possible to meet daily vitamin E needs through food, oral and topical supplements are also available. However, supplements should be used cautiously, according to directions and after consulting a doctor. Adding vitamin E to your diet yulka3ice/iStock/Getty Images Nuts, seeds and vegetable oils top the list of the best sources, but vitamin E can be found in many foods. Here are some excellent and versatile food choices to boost your vitamin E. Asparagus Avocado Boiled or raw spinach Dry roasted sunflower seeds Dry roasted almonds Dry roasted hazelnuts Kiwi Mango Peanut butter Pumpkin Red bell pepper Tomato Benefits of vitamin E Vitamin E has been touted as offering many benefits to the human body. Some of those are inconclusive regarding showing true benefit in scientific studies. Here are some vitamin E benefits that have science to back them up. 1. May lower blood pressure High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Some studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin E can help lower blood pressure, though the results were not as favorable for those with severe high blood pressure. Although results are mixed on the relationship between vitamin E supplementation and cardiovascular disease, a study that followed 40,000 healthy women for 10 years found that those who supplemented vitamin E had a 24% lower risk of death by a cardiac event. The results were not as positive for those at high risk or who already had heart disease. 2. Fights free radicals Vitamin E is known to battle free radicals and protect cells from their damage; fewer free radicals can mean several good things for the human body. Cellular damage due to free radicals increases the risk for various health issues like cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, cataracts and cancer. Antioxidants that fight free radicals, like vitamin E, also fight those chronic conditions. A bonus? Vitamin E's contribution to free radical reduction also reduces skin damage from UV exposure. Less skin damage means a more youthful glow, and who doesn't want that? Its anti-inflammatory effects also help to reduce symptoms in chronic inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis. 3. Can improve PMS symptoms Around 80% to 90% of women experience some degree of premenstrual syndrome during their reproductive years. For some, PMS is painful and disruptive to daily life. Vitamin E may bring some respite if you are one of the 80% to 90%. Studies show that supplementing vitamin E with vitamin D may be an effective way to reduce PMS symptoms like cramping, anxiety and cravings. Getty Images/Mensent Photography/Moment Drawbacks to vitamin E supplements As with any supplement, vitamin E should be used according to instructions and with caution. Avoid too much of a good thing Being fat-soluble is not a bad thing. But too much of a good thing can quickly turn into a bad thing. Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E dissolve in fat, as opposed to water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C. That means that vitamin E can be stored in your body's fat tissues and liver for up to six months. Since most of our vitamin E needs can be met through food, high doses of vitamin E are rarely needed and can cause serious health conditions. You may experience side effects When taken in small doses, vitamin E rarely causes any negative side effects. However, this is not the case for everyone. Here are some side effects to watch out for: Blurred vision Diarrhea Fatigue Headache Nausea Rash Stomach cramps Weakness May cause or worsen certain health conditions Before supplementing or increasing your dietary intake of vitamin E, consider the following health conditions that could be caused or worsened by vitamin E. Prostate cancer : Though further research is limited, a trial study of 35,533 healthy men concluded that dietary supplementation with vitamin E caused a significant increase in prostate cancer. : Though further research is limited, a trial study of 35,533 healthy men concluded that dietary supplementation with vitamin E caused a significant increase in prostate cancer. Heart disease: Though there is no research to suggest vitamin E causes heart disease, some research does suggest that vitamin E may worsen the condition and increase the risk of death by heart attack or stroke. Though there is no research to suggest vitamin E causes heart disease, some research does suggest that vitamin E may worsen the condition and increase the risk of death by heart attack or stroke. Hemorrhage: High doses of vitamin E have been shown to cause bleeding and increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke. High doses of vitamin E have been shown to cause bleeding and increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Diabetes: Current information supports discouraging people with diabetes from supplementing with vitamin E. May interact with certain drugs If you are taking any prescription medications or supplements, check with your medical provider before supplementing with vitamin E. Vitamin E may counteract the effectiveness of some drugs or supplements like vitamin K, statins, niacin, blood thinners, anti-platelet drugs or even chemotherapy drugs. Can vitamin E be taken daily? For adults, the recommended daily amount of vitamin E is 15 mg. It takes only a small amount of the right foods to reach 15 mg. For example, there is 7.4 mg of vitamin E in one ounce of sunflower seeds and 7.3 mg per one ounce of almonds. Either of those will bring you to around 49% of your daily need for vitamin E. Since vitamin E is so accessible in food, and in this case, more is not better, supplementing is not often needed. However, if you're unable to get the recommended daily amount through food, you should limit your supplementation to 15 mg or less per day to achieve the full benefits of vitamin E. If you're taking any other supplements or drugs, be sure to consult with your medical provider before taking vitamin E.
