Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Oxidation in the body (in vivo)


When eating foods the oxidation continues into the gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies have shown that there are pro-oxidant present in the stomach, like oxygen, metal ions (e.g Fe2+ and Cu2+), reactive nitrogen, sulphite and nitrite species. This, combined with a low pH, free fatty acids from the action of the gastric lipase, and the presence of oxygen makes the stomach a potential good oxidative environment. Thus, it is likely that oxidation of food lipids continues also inside the body. Certain bile salts have been shown to be good pro-oxidants. This, combined with the emulsification of lipids in the small intestine, increasing the lipid droplet surface, suggests that there is a potential of initiating oxidation also within the small intestine.

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