Dietary Guidelines: definition
DIETARY GUIDELINES set under Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): • RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances) – RDA’s are set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institutes of Medicine with the goal of…
Free Radical: definition
Highly reactive and unstable molecules. These hostile molecules are a normal byproduct of processes within the body, such as metabolism, and also come from the environment such as smoke, air pollution, chemicals, toxic heavy metals…
Antioxidants: definition
Substances that prevent or inhibit oxidative damage to the body by free radicals. Specific antioxidants quench the action of specific free radicals and convert them into harmless chemicals. Antioxidants include certain enzymes, essential nutrients, and…
Gastritis, Lymphocytic
What Is Lymphocytic Gastritis?
Lymphocytic gastritis is an inflammatory stomach disorder that is characterized by superficial inflammation of the stomach lining (mucosa) that mainly involves the gastric antrum in children.
Lymphocytic gastritis is defined by the recognition of more than 25 intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) per 100 surface epithelial cells lining the stomach wall.
Q: What are intraepithelial lymphocytes?
A: Intraepithelial lymphocytes in lymphocytic gastritis are a unique T-cell population of white blood cells that are interspersed between epithelial cells in the mucosa.
What Is Lymphocytic Gastritis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?
Peptic Ulcer Disease: definition
This complex disease refers to both gastric ulcers in the lining of the stomach and duodenal ulcers in the initial part of the duodenum. Peptic ulcers have high morbidity (poor health) and death rates.
Synthesis: definition
The process of building more complex compounds from simpler compounds or elements.
Prostaglandins: definition
Lipid compounds in cells derived from arachidonic acid that act as chemical messengers to both sustain homeostasis (balance of normal functions) and mediate (bring about) pathologic mechanisms, such as the inflammatory response.
Fat: definition
The most concentrated stored energy in food. Each gram (g) supplies 9 calories of energy. Fats are digested to fatty acid and glycerol molecules and serve as a carrier to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A,…
Vitamin E Deficiency
What Is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is not a single vitamin but naturally occurs as a fat-soluble vitamin family that consists of at least 8 distinct molecules.
These molecules include 4 tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) and 4 tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta).
Generally, tocotrienols are more active against chronic disease while tocopherols are more protective of the nervous system.
Vitamin E (for short) is a powerful antioxidant that protects cell membranes and other fat-soluble compounds from oxidative damage by free radicals (molecules that damage cells).
Q: How does vitamin E protect cells from oxidative damage by free radicals?
A: As an example, the oxidative damage to low density cholesterol (LDL – bad type) appears to lead to the deposition of cholesterol in the arterial wall (plaque formation) leading to atherosclerotic disease, commonly called hardening of the arteries.
Regarding inflammation, mast cells are activated by oxidized LDL which results in increased expression of inflammatory cytokines. This finding suggests that vitamin E antioxidant activity in reducing oxidation of LDL lipoprotein may also reduce mast cell activation. Mast cells reside near small blood vessels and, when activated, release potent mediators involved in allergy and inflammation.1
In neutralizing free radicals, vitamin E itself is oxidized (changed) to a free radical. Importantly, conversion of vitamin E back to the original form occurs by reaction with vitamin C. These two vital anti-oxidants go hand in hand.
Vitamin E is essential for normal cerebellar brain function (lower brain), peripheral nerve health and healthy skin.
What Is Vitamin E Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?
Sources:- Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb YB, Varvara G, Murmura G, Saggini A, Caraffa A, Antinolfi P, Tete’ S, Tripodi D, Conti F, Cianchetti E, Toniato E, Rosati M, Speranza L,Pantalone A, Saggini R, Tei M, Speziali A, Conti P, Theoharides TC, Pandolfi F. Role of vitamins D, E and C in immunity and inflammation. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2013 Apr-Jun;27(2):291-5. [↩]