What are free radicals in the body? If you are like many people, you have probably asked the questions several times. Generally, they are defined as very reactive molecules that come as a b- product in the body. They come about after metabolism (oxidation), and when they are exposed to harmful toxins such as tobacco or ultraviolet light in the environment.
It is worth noting that they often come as an unpaired electron, and for them to be stable, they have to constantly search for another lone electron in which they will bound. Another thing worth noting is they are often responsible for a myriad of processes and complications in the human system, top among them tissue damage, aging, and a couple of diseases linked to these radicals.
They are indeed "free" since they float around till they stabilize, and are "radicals" because there are so many molecules from which they can derive and pair with an electron. Note that once the reactive process of pairing with other electrons starts, it becomes a snowball effect that wreaks havoc on otherwise healthy tissues. This is because the new molecule that pairs with it, also misses an electron in the process, hence acquires the new title of a free radical, and the chain continues.
Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, mucular generation, Parkinson's disease, and glaucoma are few of the many health complications associated with these lone molecules in the body.
In the process of attaining their stability by bonding with other molecules in the system, the molecules end up destroying their good health status, thus worsening the already damaged process. It is because of this that there is a very close connection between antioxidants and these radicals.
Antioxidants are known as lone radicals scavengers. They inhibit the creation of the lone molecules in the first place. They further neutralize the lone molecules, thus ensuring the healthy tissues of the system are well protected against the harmful effects brought about by oxidation stress. Examples of antioxidants include Vitamin c, Vitamin E, betacarotine, lutein, selenium, lycopene, resveratrol, and lipoic acid. Also worth mentioning is that antioxidants are readily present in most diets today.
They are also available as supplements, but most people will always recommend the use of natural remedies and food sources. Some of the well known foods include black tea, cocoa, goji berries, acai, choke berry, oolong tea, white tea, medicinal mushrooms, tart cherries and wheatgrass to mention but a few. Further ensuring there is a good supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, enough proteins, and sufficient amounts of grain in your diet can also help.
The need to have a free radical scavenger can never be overemphasized enough. This can be a mineral, vitamin, or enzyme that has the ability to destroy the roaming and unstable molecules. The main role of the scavenger in the body is to hunt down all unstable molecules and work to destroy it early enough so they do not cause significant damage to cells. Once you understand what are free radicals in the body, you will be in the best position to search for these scavengers (read antioxidants).
It is worth noting that they often come as an unpaired electron, and for them to be stable, they have to constantly search for another lone electron in which they will bound. Another thing worth noting is they are often responsible for a myriad of processes and complications in the human system, top among them tissue damage, aging, and a couple of diseases linked to these radicals.
They are indeed "free" since they float around till they stabilize, and are "radicals" because there are so many molecules from which they can derive and pair with an electron. Note that once the reactive process of pairing with other electrons starts, it becomes a snowball effect that wreaks havoc on otherwise healthy tissues. This is because the new molecule that pairs with it, also misses an electron in the process, hence acquires the new title of a free radical, and the chain continues.
Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, mucular generation, Parkinson's disease, and glaucoma are few of the many health complications associated with these lone molecules in the body.
In the process of attaining their stability by bonding with other molecules in the system, the molecules end up destroying their good health status, thus worsening the already damaged process. It is because of this that there is a very close connection between antioxidants and these radicals.
Antioxidants are known as lone radicals scavengers. They inhibit the creation of the lone molecules in the first place. They further neutralize the lone molecules, thus ensuring the healthy tissues of the system are well protected against the harmful effects brought about by oxidation stress. Examples of antioxidants include Vitamin c, Vitamin E, betacarotine, lutein, selenium, lycopene, resveratrol, and lipoic acid. Also worth mentioning is that antioxidants are readily present in most diets today.
They are also available as supplements, but most people will always recommend the use of natural remedies and food sources. Some of the well known foods include black tea, cocoa, goji berries, acai, choke berry, oolong tea, white tea, medicinal mushrooms, tart cherries and wheatgrass to mention but a few. Further ensuring there is a good supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, enough proteins, and sufficient amounts of grain in your diet can also help.
The need to have a free radical scavenger can never be overemphasized enough. This can be a mineral, vitamin, or enzyme that has the ability to destroy the roaming and unstable molecules. The main role of the scavenger in the body is to hunt down all unstable molecules and work to destroy it early enough so they do not cause significant damage to cells. Once you understand what are free radicals in the body, you will be in the best position to search for these scavengers (read antioxidants).
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