· Vitamin E is actually a generic term that refers to a group of nutrients (8 have been found so far). These nutrients all exhibit biological activity of the isomer tocopherol (NOTE: An isomer is one of two or more molecules that have the same chemical formula but different atomic arrangements).
The most widely available isomer is alpha-tocopherol. It has the highest biopotency, or strongest effect in the body. And because it is fat-soluble, it is in a unique position to safeguard cell membranes – largely composed of fatty acids – from damage by free radicals. Alpha-tocopherol also protects the fats in low-density lipoproteins (LDLs, or the "bad" cholesterol) from oxidation.
· Ascorbic acid, also known as Vitamin C, is a water-soluble vitamin and one of the most commonly found antioxidants. Its prime function is to scavenge free radicals that are in an aqueous (watery) environment, such as inside your cells. Vitamin C has a synergistic effect with Vitamin E, which means that both work together to quench free radicals. Vitamin C also regenerates the reduced (stable) form of Vitamin E.
· Out of the 600 carotenoids identified to date, Beta-carotene (also known as Vitamin A) is the most widely studied. As a water soluble vitamin, it is similar to Vitamin C in that it acts by quenching singlet oxygen (an energized but uncharged form of oxygen that is toxic to cells). Beta-carotene is also excellent at scavenging free radicals in low oxygen concentration.
· Selenium is a trace element and a mineral. We only need very small quantities of selenium, but without it we could not survive. This is because selenium forms the active site of several antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase.
· Similarly, the minerals Manganese and Zinc are trace elements that form an essential part of various antioxidant enzymes.
