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.
The best explanation of these molecules is that they are termed as "free" because they are always in search of other molecules to make them stable. They are further termed as "radicals" because they are available in millions and can find a pair to stabilize with from so many other molecules. It is worth mentioning that the stabilization process can wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy system. This is because it starts a snowball effect once the lone molecule finds a pair, the donating molecule assumes the new title of "free radical", and the chain continues.
As previously mentioned, these molecules have been linked to a myriad of health complications including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, age-related mucular degeneration, Parkison's disease, and glaucoma to mention but a few.
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.
There is reason to believe that antioxidants, e. G., Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and betacarotine, selenium, lycopene, lutein, lipoic acid, and resveratrol, can significantly reduce the damage brought about by the lone electrons in the human system. This they do by inhibiting the formation of the molecules in the first place. Antioxidants are vital molecules, present in most foods, which help prevent the lone electrons form affecting healthy tissue. In other words, they neutralize the free radicals thus protecting healthy body tissues against oxidative stress.
They can always be derived from foods and natural food sources such as cocoa, goji berries, chokeberry, oolong tea, acai, medicinal mushrooms, wheatgrass, white tea, black tea, as well as tart cherries. Ensuring there is a sufficient amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and enough proteins has also been proven to be an effective remedy for ensuring there are enough antioxidants in the system. Even so, they can still be bought and used in their supplement form.
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.
The best explanation of these molecules is that they are termed as "free" because they are always in search of other molecules to make them stable. They are further termed as "radicals" because they are available in millions and can find a pair to stabilize with from so many other molecules. It is worth mentioning that the stabilization process can wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy system. This is because it starts a snowball effect once the lone molecule finds a pair, the donating molecule assumes the new title of "free radical", and the chain continues.
As previously mentioned, these molecules have been linked to a myriad of health complications including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, age-related mucular degeneration, Parkison's disease, and glaucoma to mention but a few.
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.
There is reason to believe that antioxidants, e. G., Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and betacarotine, selenium, lycopene, lutein, lipoic acid, and resveratrol, can significantly reduce the damage brought about by the lone electrons in the human system. This they do by inhibiting the formation of the molecules in the first place. Antioxidants are vital molecules, present in most foods, which help prevent the lone electrons form affecting healthy tissue. In other words, they neutralize the free radicals thus protecting healthy body tissues against oxidative stress.
They can always be derived from foods and natural food sources such as cocoa, goji berries, chokeberry, oolong tea, acai, medicinal mushrooms, wheatgrass, white tea, black tea, as well as tart cherries. Ensuring there is a sufficient amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and enough proteins has also been proven to be an effective remedy for ensuring there are enough antioxidants in the system. Even so, they can still be bought and used in their supplement form.
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).