NUTRITION AND

SENSES
• Oxidative damage:
SIGHT
• its exposure to light
• Aging eyes
• high metabolism.
• •Stress oxidative
Antioxidant and inflammation
functions
• vitamins
• Dietary C and E, & Anti inflammatory
Antioxidants
• carotenoids [lutein, zeaxanthin, β-
• Age-related cataract, diabetic
carotene], zinc),
retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related
• anti-inflammatory
macular degeneration properties
(AMD)
(omega-3 fatty acids
(eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA],
docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]))
Vitamin C
• Water soluble
• Collagen synthesis  an important structural component
of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bone.

• Antioxidant, protecting essential molecules in the

body (proteins, lipids, carb, DNA, and RNA) 
damage by free radicals and ROS (normal
metabolism, toxins, pollutants  cigarette smoke
• Vitamin C is able to regenerate other antioxidants,
such as vitamin E
• AKG 2019  75-90 mg daily
Vitamin E
• Fat-soluble antioxidants:
• four tocopherols (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-) and four tocotrienols (α-, β-, γ-, and
δ-).
• α-tocopherols  the major form, antioxidant
• Fats, which are an integral part of all cell membranes, are
vulnerable to destruction through oxidation by free radicals.
• α-Tocopherol attacks free radicals to prevent a chain reaction
of lipid oxidation.
• Retina is highly concentrated in fatty acids
• When a molecule of α-tocopherol neutralizes a free radical, it is
altered in such a way that its antioxidant capacity is lost.
However, other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, are capable of
regenerating the antioxidant ability of α-tocopherol.
• 15μg daily
β-Carotene
• β-Carotene is an orange pigment commonly found in fruits
and vegetables  carotenoids.
• β-carotene is the primary dietary source of provitamin A
• While very high intake of dietary β-carotene is considered
to have no adverse affects on health, there should be
caution when supplementing with levels well beyond what
can be achieved from dietary sources for those at risk for
lung cancer.
• The reasons for the increase in lung cancer risk are
thought to be due to the pro-oxidant effects of high doses
of β-carotene in an oxidative stressed environment, such
as a smoker’s lung.
ZINC
• Zinc is important in maintaining the health of the retina
• •Role in the structure
An essential constituentof
of proteins and cell
many enzymes membrane
and needed for optimal
•metabolism
Loss of of zinc
the from
eye. biological membranes increases
theirsuperoxide
• Enzyme susceptibility
dismutase  scavenging
to oxidative damage and impairs
superoxide
their function
radicals.
•• Immune
Cell signaling and influence nerve-impulse transmission.
function.

Zinc absorption is lower in

individuals consuming vegetarian
diets; it is recommended that the
zinc requirement for this group be
twice as much as for nonvegetarians
Lutein and zeaxanthin
• Carotenoids found in high quantities in green leafy
vegetables.
• Unlike β-carotene, these two carotenoids do not have
vitamin A activity.
• Of the 20–30 carotenoids found in human blood and
tissues,23 only lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the lens
and retina.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are concentrated in
the macula or central region of the retina,
and are referred to as macular pigment.
• Limit retinal oxidative damage by absorbing
incoming blue light and/or quenching ROS
Omega-3 fatty acids
• Neuroprotective effects in the retina.
• Modulation of metabolic processes affecting oxidative stress,
inflammation, and vascularization
• DHA is a key fatty acid found in the retina, and is present
in large amounts in this tissue.
• Tissue DHA status affects retinal cell-signaling
mechanisms involved in phototransduction
• Prevent atherosclerosis of the blood vessels that supply
the retina contributes to the risk of AMD,
• Biophysical and biochemical properties of DHA may affect
photoreceptor-membrane function by altering
permeability, fluidity, thickness, lipidphase properties, and
the activation of membrane-bound proteins.
SKIN
CARB
• Foods with a high glycemic index  sugar, white bread,
and white rice  rapidly absorbed  higher serum
glucose levels and elevated levels of insulin.
• Insulin and IGF-1  augment sebum production,
stimulate adrenal androgen synthesis, and increase
androgen bioavailabilit  ACNE
• Dairy cows treated with bovine growth hormone to
increase their milk supply  higher levels of IGF
• 10-week low glycemic load diet resulted in improvement
of acne, with histopathological examination of skin
samples revealing decreased inflammation and reduced
size of sebaceous glands.
• a 12-week low glycemic load diet resulted in improvement
of acne, with a corresponding improvement in insulin
sensitivity, a reduction in testosterone bioavailability, and
a decrease in adrenal androgen
ANTIOXIDANT
• Dietary factors may impact carcinogenesis.
• UV radiation is known to play a major role.
• Free radicals damage proteins, lipids, and deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA)  increase cell proliferation and inflammation.
• UV radiation  immunosuppression, which hampers the ability
of immune cells to recognize and combat cancer cells.
• Antioxidants may break down free radicals, neutralize them, or
upregulate genes that encode neutralizing enzymes.
• Reduce UVB-associated epidermal damage and protect
against UVB-induced apoptosis.
• Increase expression of genes associated with DNA replication
and repair.
• Vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium
• Curcumin, lycopene, and genistein, an isoflavone in soy.
• Grape seed extract, resveratrol (from grapes), and ellagic
acid (found in foods such as raspberries)
• Polyphenols have been shown to protect the skin from the
damaging effects of UV radiation, including a reduction in
skin inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage
• Supplementation has no effect, but whole food
• The meat and fat dietary pattern increased SCC risk, while the
fruit and vegetable pattern appeared to decrease SCC risk by
54 percent
• One reason may be due to the biochemistry of antioxidants and
their effects. The process of oxidation, and correspondingly
antioxidation, is not a straightforward chain of events, but
rather represents a finely balanced system. Antioxidants, in
neutralizing free radicals, may themselves become pro-oxidant.
It has been theorized that whole foods may provide substances
to neutralize this newly created pro-oxidant, while isolated
supplements cannot.
• Some compounds may potentiate the effects of others,
resulting in synergistic effects.
• Psoriasis  higher risk for CVD  including activation of
inflammatory cells and increased circulating levels of
proinflammatory cytokines.
• recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which
favors whole grains over processed grains and omega-3
fatty acids over omega-6 fatty acids.