LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Melatonin: Antioxidants
built 789 days ago
Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that can easily cross cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier.[3] Unlike other antioxidants, melatonin does not undergo redox cycling, the ability of a molecule to undergo reduction and oxidation repeatedly. Redox cycling may allow other antioxidants (such as vitamin C) to act as pro-oxidants, counterintuitively promoting free radical formation. Melatonin, once oxidized, cannot be reduced to its former state because it forms several stable end-products upon reacting with free radicals. Therefore, it has been referred to as a terminal (or suicidal) antioxidant.[15]
Source:
Melatonin is a highly important antioxidant. Free radicals are chemical constituents that have an unpaired electron. If an electron is added to O2 then the superoxide anion radical O2- is formed. O2- is reduced by superoxide dismutase to H2O2 which is toxic at high concentrations and can be reduced to.OH. The hydroxyl radical (.OH) damages cells. Melatonin is an efficient neutraliser of.OH.
Source:
Melatonin has antioxidant activity. However, this activity is found only with very high pharmaceutical doses of this substance. The most significant antioxidant activity of melatonin appears to be its ability to inhibit metal ion-catalyzed oxidation processes, specifically the Fenton reaction.
Source:
Melatonin is one of those miracle substances that have a hand in everything. This may be due to the fact that Melatonin was found to be a more powerful and more universal antioxidant than both vitamin C and vitamin E. Melatonin superficially plays a role in numerous health conditions including Insomnia, Arthritis, Epilepsy, Sunburn, Viral, Encephalitis, Heart Diseases, Osteoporosis, Menopause, Depression, Eating Disorders, Breast, Cancer, Prostate, Cancer, Weight Loss, Sarcoidosis and Rheumatoid.
Source:
Melatonin is purported to be one of those miracle substances that has a hand in everything. This may be due to the fact that during the height of the antioxidant craze, Melatonin was found to be a more powerful and more universal antioxidant than both vitamin C and vitamin E. Whatever the reason, Melatonin ostensibly plays a role in numerous health conditions.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Antioxidants