Free Radicals

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How are free radicals formed

Known free radicals in the body

For achieving and maintaining vibrant health tackling free radicals is very important. We're constantly waging a war inside our bodies against health enemy #1 - oxidants, specifically, free radicals. Each human cell receives a tremendous number of assaults per day from free radicals. Free radicals are those militant molecules that attack our cells. Therefore, the preventative measure is to combat these free radicals before they do damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules on a mission of attack, they have only one purpose and that is to invade and destroy healthy cells making the body vulnerable to disease. This one factor has the greatest negative impact on our health. Free radicals disrupt the biochemical processes within cells, and our body's natural defenses simply cannot keep up with the onslaught and so we become ill.

Technically, free radicals are unpaired, lacking the appropriate electrons necessary to be stable. So, to gain stability they are always on the lookout to swipe electrons from other molecules such as DNA, protein and fat. They indiscriminately kill cells, destroy enzymes and produce toxic chemicals which cause damage to cellular functions. They are highly reactive molecules, their activities cause damage to physiological structures such as DNA, lipids and proteins. Free radicals in the body are toxic forms of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM). It is ironic that on one hand oxygen sustains us and on the other hand oxygen is responsible for much of the destruction and aging of our cells. Free radicals are responsible for many ailments including but not limited to aging, cancer, heart disease, stroke and arthritis. Without an antioxidant line of defense, your cells oxidize or breakdown faster thus speeding up the aging process, it is the free radicals oxidative damage that makes us age.

The damage done by free radicals is most injurious to DNA. Damage to the DNA structure results in mutations and death of cells. DNA is constantly bombarded by free radicals, however, our body has enzymes and antioxidants that repair damaged DNA. Older cells are not able to repair DNA as rapidly as younger cells. Nature has set the rate of DNA repair at less than the rate of damage done by free radicals. So, this results in quicker aging and could infer that the difference in life spans among people are largely a result of the human ability to repair damaged DNA.

How are free radicals formed

They are derived in two ways 1) internally 2) externally

Internal Free Radicals

a) Primary source is from our body during energy production in the mitochondria.

b) From foods that have a destructive potential.

c) During normal metabolism of fat, carbohydrates and proteins.

d) Stress - all chemicals and some endocrine hormones create free radicals.

e) Low blood supply - which occurs during heart attacks and stroke also form free radicals.

External Free Radicals

a) Environmental contaminants such as from pollution and cigarette smoke increases free radical load tremendously.

b) Ionizing and ultraviolet radiation such as from overexposure to sunlight and prolonged exposure to X-rays.

c) Over exercising.

d) Toxic chemicals in pesticides and insecticides.

e) Petroleum-based products.

f) Unhealthy foods - fatty diets made up of processed foods, fried foods, barbecued and charbroiled foods.

g) Alcohol and coffee.

h) Toxic products found in furniture polish and paints eg, toluene, benzene and formaldehyde.

i) Low intake of fruits and vegetables.

j) Lack of antioxidant supplements.

Known free radicals or reactive oxygen metabolites in the body

1) superoxide anion 2) hydrogen peroxide 3) hydrochloride 4) hydroxyl radical 5) nitric oxide.

It is clear that health essentially rests on the balance between free radical load and antioxidant activities. Antioxidants are our allies, they protect us against damaging free radicals. Antioxidants stimulate our bodies own defense mechanism and work to keep us healthy. They have the ability to scavenge ROM's and inhibit oxidation of cells by neutralizing free radicals, they also combat inflammation and are our essential natural defense against premature suffering and death. Antioxidant defenses give us the power to be able to prevent degenerative diseases and achieve a long healthy life.  In our daily routine we encounter many substances that can damage our health and therefore antioxidant supplementation is important. Our body makes approximately seven trillion free radicals!!!!! But our body's design is truly miraculous because we possess internal antioxidants that protect us. Unfortunately these protective antioxidants decline with age. So, incorporating antioxidants in our daily nutritional supplement program would be a wise and healthy step.

     Benefits of antioxidants

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