antioxidant

What: "An antioxidant is like the screen in front of your fireplace. It quenches the sparks as they form. If the fire in the fireplace is out of control, the screen is useless. Another analogy: antioxidant/free radical metabolism is that of the automobile engine and its cooling system. The engine runs on the burning (or oxidation) of fuel, creating energy and heat, giving your car power to move. If the process is uncontrolled the engine destroys itself because of the heat it has generated. The cooling system keeps the temperature within a normal operating range. The oxidative reaction is the burning of the fuel; the antioxidant is the cooling system. Balance between these two functions is the critical factor, both for your car and for you."

Writer: Not Stated

LCC: QP

Where: Reference Link Has Evaporated

Date: Jul 15 2013 7:05 PM

What: "In vitro studies showed that unlike antioxidants, which prevent cancer by reacting with ROS before they can damage DNA, metformin appears to prevent mitochondria from forming ROS in the first place. "I use the analogy of a leaky faucet," says Ferbeyre. "Using an antioxidant is like trying to clean up the water with a towel. Metformin would be like turning off the tap." This was further demonstrated with an in vivo experiment using the pesticide paraquat, which causes overproduction of ROS. Mice treated with paraquat and metformin survived significantly longer than those treated with paraquat only."

Writer: Gerardo Ferbeyre, Universite de Montreal

LCC:

Where:

Date: Jul 15 2013 7:09 PM

What: "The antioxidant is like a wealthy person who is looking to donate money to a charity" The charity in this case is 0.99 cents that wants to be a dollar. See the link for a very good discussion comparing money and electron transfer and the affects of antioxidants.

Writer: Not Stated

LCC: RC

Where: Reference Link Has Evaporated

Date: Jul 15 2013 7:16 PM