Cofactors
Chemical reactions
In regards to our complex biochemistry, there are thousands of chemicals and chemical systems, all geared towards homeostasis, or optimum functioning. Each chemical has a specific function or range of functions. The way each chemical functions in the body depend on quite a few factors. Temperature and pH, are just some of the governing factors on how efficiently chemicals interact and the rate (or speed) of reactions. For example, chemical reactions increase with an increase in temperature.
Some chemical reactions proceed so slow without help, that their effect on the body would be negligible. To help quicken the pace of reactions, man has enzymes, molecules which accelerate the rate of reaction. For example, if a required hormone was produced without the help of an enzyme, perhaps, only a few copies per second would be made. However, with the help of an enzyme, several thousand molecules are made per second in each cell conducting the reactions. Enzymes chemically interact with other atoms and molecules during a reaction, and alter them so that they can react easier of more efficiently with each other and thus more quickly Thus, we can see that chemicals such as enzymes are essential for our biochemistry to proceed at an appreciable rate.
Although enzymes help accelerate the rate of reactions, enzymes themselves also require a helper to make "them" work efficiently. We refer to these little helpers as "cofactors". A cofactor can be a single element, principle such as a coenzyme, or some other molecule or moiety.
When a cofactor unites with its target enzyme or other chemical, etc., the cofactor may affect the part or the entire shape of its target molecule. The change in shape may help the new complex (target + cofactor) interact more easily with other elements or molecules.
For example, chrome (also called chromium, depending on chemical state), is considered a cofactor for many enzymes and some hormones in the body. The element chromium combines with insulin to increase its effectiveness. Chromium is also required for growth hormone, and other enzymes. Below we list various cofactors and their functions.
NAD-NAD is the abbreviation for Nicotinamide adenine denucleotide. We discussed
niacin in the
vitamin section. Niacin is a vitamin required as a component of the coenzymes NAD
+ and NADP
+ . These coenzymes
1 function in oxidation-reduction reactions. Oxidation- reduction reactions are simply reactions which involve the transfer of electrons. Reduction is the gain of an electron by an atom or a substance and oxidation is the loss of an electon. Electrons are part of each atom and have a "negative charge". Therefore, if an atom has lost one of its electrons, it has a "net" positive charge. We saw another example of this with
chloride portion of sodium chloride. We can see that NAD
+ and NADP
+ have a net positive charge, indicated by the "plus sign" (
+).
1 NAD is cofactor form (of niacin), acting as a coenzyme.
Supplements
What are dietary supplements? Of course, the word diet and supplement are self-explanatory to an extent. Diet refers to "what we consume" and supplement refers to "supplying". But what do dietary supplements supply?
-Different supplements make available different substances which are intended to be used towards health maintenance. Some supplements may contain a fair percentage of substances we need to maintain normal health. Other dietary supplements may only contain a single substance. Some dietary supplements may not contain "anything" which is essential to the human body. This can be demonstrated in supplements that have no evidence of human need, but are merely to be purported to have some type of effect of the body.
When choosing supplements keep these points in mind:
-A dietary supplement is "intended" to supply the diet with a particular substance or variety of substances.
-The substance (ingredient) or substances can be vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, water, protein, herbs, other botanical products, or synthetic products.
-A dietary supplement is intended to be consumed orally (by mouth) in the form of a pill, tablet, capsule, powder, liquid, or chewable solid. Dietary supplements should never be taken via
injection unless clinically required and under the supervision of a medical doctor.
-Dietary supplements should contain labels explaining the full ingredients as well as informing the consumer that the product is a dietary supplement and include clear instructions on use (eg., dosage) and percentage by weight, etc, of ingredients. Non-dietary ingredients should also be listed. These include stabilisers, colouring, flavourings, preservatives, etc.
What claims can a manufacturer of a supplement make in regards to the marketed product?
A manufacturer cannot claim that a product will cure, diagnose, treat, or prevent a disease. Drugs, however, can claim this since ample monitored research is incorporated for finding their uses and limitations. Of course, some supplements can meet this definition. Logically, if you are eating foods low in vitaman B12, and you supplement your diet with vitamin B12 tablets, you are treating the deficiency. However, there is an attempt to try to protect the public but making the individual consult a medical doctor first. This is in the case that the vitamin B12 deficiency is not diet related, but instead malabsorption which cannot be treated with oral vitamin B. Additionally, if we allowed manufacturers to make these claims and the underlying medical problem was not diagnosed, people may do more harm than good.
Some final considerations on dietary supplements and potential safety hazards.
-No amount of information can replace sound medical advice. Many individuals consume supplements to alleviate or alter a medical condition, or to merely combat minor symptoms. If you are experiencing any type of unfamilair illness, it is always recommended that you first seek medical attention. Why? Because if you have developed an illness that is causing a particular symptom and you mask that symptom with a supplement, are you curing the disease? You may be masking the symptom(s) while the disease is progressively becoming worse. And this is difficult to detect if you are masking the symptoms. Of course there are certain symptoms that we endeavour to treat ourselves. If we consulted a medical doctor each time we experienced a headache, we would be in the clinic quite often. Thus, treating minor and occasional symtoms such as headaches do not come with many risks, and most of us buy an over-the-counter pain reliever or take some type of supplement. However, if we are experiencing chronic headaches, clinical investigations should be undertaken to rule out more "sinister" causes.
-If you have any medical condition, it is always best to ask the opinion of your doctor before taking any supplement, especially botanical products. Some of these supplements may interact with medication and cause untoward side effects. For example, the root extract liquorice contains a chemical with similar chemical activity to corticosteroids. Taking excessive concentrates of this root can add to the steroid effects. Many botanical products, like drugs, chemically interact with the body. Because of this biological activity, there is always a potential risk when using these substances. Many drugs are maufactured from plant products. Keep these points in mind when using any supplement to avoid any of the potential hazards that accompany them.
