NANP Board Practice Exam 2026 - Free NANP Board Practice Questions and Study Guide

Glutathione plays a pivotal role in the antioxidant defense system of the body, primarily by recycling other antioxidants to maintain their active forms. Among the nutrients listed, Vitamin C is known for its ability to regenerate other antioxidants, particularly Vitamin E, thereby directly influencing the recycling of antioxidants through its synergistic relationship with glutathione.

Vitamin E, another key fat-soluble antioxidant, works closely with glutathione, as the reduced form of glutathione can help regenerate Vitamin E after it has neutralized free radicals. Similarly, Vitamin C can work in concert with glutathione by reducing oxidized forms of Vitamin E.

While selenium is crucial for the production of selenoproteins, which include various antioxidant enzymes, it does not participate directly in the recycling of antioxidants in the same way that Vitamins C and E do. Instead, its role is more related to the synthesis of enzymes that work alongside glutathione rather than a direct recycling process.

Vitamin A is primarily involved in vision and immune function, rather than directly interacting with the antioxidant recycling processes that involve glutathione.

Therefore, selenium stands apart as not being directly involved in the antioxidant recycling that glutathione manages, highlighting its unique role in the broader antioxidant network rather than through direct interactions