Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is required for over 300 metabolic functions in the body. The body cannot produce Vitamin C so it must be supplied by our diet or by supplements. Studies have shown that Vitamin C can help with symptoms of asthma, protect against harmful effects of pollution, and enhance the immune system. It is important for tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function and healthy gums.
Esters are aromatic organic compounds formed by reactions between amino acids and alcohols. Their antioxidant properties are among their various other useful properties. In the human body they play the role of solvents and also help in the production of various fatty acids and lipids. DNA molecules also have phosphoesters as their backbone. Being solvents esters are usually present in various foodstuffs along with various other necessary chemicals. Thus fats, carotenoids like lutein etc. enter the body in combination with esters. Esters found in barley have been extracted and it was found that they are capable of consuming free radicals at a high rate.
Lack of antioxidants within the body can have many harmful effects the primary one being presence of free radicals in large number. These chemicals are destructive in nature and can damage tissues from various parts of the body leading to cardiovascular diseases, wrinkling of the skin etc.
Esters help in the healthy functioning of the human eye and prevent glaucoma and cataracts to some extent. They can also delay macular degeneration that is caused due to old age. As in case of most other antioxidants esters consume free radicals and thus remove any irregular growths that may have formed within the human body. This reduces the effects of cancer and other degenerative diseases. They can be used as a component of sunscreens to prevent the ill effects of UV rays. They are known to prevent colon cancer, skin cancer and breast cancer. They also help in reducing the scarring caused by various skin lesions.
Esters prevent the oxidation of lipids that results in the formation of deposits on the artery walls. In this manner they prevent atherosclerosis, thus improving cardiovascular health. Medicines that contain ethyl ester oils supply omega 3 fats to the human body. Apart from medicines, esters required by the human body are often present in most of the common food items in combination with various fatty acids. The human body can internally separate them out and use them for the necessary purpose. The human body is also capable of storing the lutein esters. Thus, consumption of a significant quantity at any given time will prove to be sufficient for many days to come.
Thus, esters play an important role within the human body as solvents and as antioxidants. Though medical supplements containing esters are available, they are not very popular as rarely does the human body face a deficiency of esters.
