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.
With that being said, it is important to keep in mind that they are often a lone electron looking to stabilize so that the reactive process would stop. In their pursuit for stabilization, they will often be looking for other lone moving molecules to bind to. The process of stabilization of lone molecules causes so many complications and processes in the body. This is where aging and tissue damage comes in.
These radicals are known as "free" because of the fact that they are floating around aimlessly in search of stabilization. They are defined as "radicals" since they can pair with so many other electrons in the body. When they find another molecule to pair with, the donating cell loses an electron, thus becoming a "free radical" as well. The vicious process of looking for yet another lone molecule to pair with thus causes a snowball effect and may end up damaging all healthy body tissues.
Some of the diseases linked to these include cancer, heart disease, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and mucular degeneration often associated with aging.
The good news is that the lone molecules can be stabilized and the degenerating effect brought to a halt, all thanks to antioxidants. Note that the process of stabilization destroys so many healthy tissues, hence the need to put to an end to the degenerative process.
Antioxidants such as lipoic acid, lycopene, selenium, resveratrol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene have proven very effective in reducing the damage of these radicals. Thanks to their ability to restrain the formation of the bad molecules in the first place. The other good news is that these antioxidants are readily available in most foods that many people use today. By taking a good supply of antioxidant rich foods, you can be able to neutralize the lone molecules, thus ensure your body is safe from 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).
With that being said, it is important to keep in mind that they are often a lone electron looking to stabilize so that the reactive process would stop. In their pursuit for stabilization, they will often be looking for other lone moving molecules to bind to. The process of stabilization of lone molecules causes so many complications and processes in the body. This is where aging and tissue damage comes in.
These radicals are known as "free" because of the fact that they are floating around aimlessly in search of stabilization. They are defined as "radicals" since they can pair with so many other electrons in the body. When they find another molecule to pair with, the donating cell loses an electron, thus becoming a "free radical" as well. The vicious process of looking for yet another lone molecule to pair with thus causes a snowball effect and may end up damaging all healthy body tissues.
Some of the diseases linked to these include cancer, heart disease, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and mucular degeneration often associated with aging.
The good news is that the lone molecules can be stabilized and the degenerating effect brought to a halt, all thanks to antioxidants. Note that the process of stabilization destroys so many healthy tissues, hence the need to put to an end to the degenerative process.
Antioxidants such as lipoic acid, lycopene, selenium, resveratrol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene have proven very effective in reducing the damage of these radicals. Thanks to their ability to restrain the formation of the bad molecules in the first place. The other good news is that these antioxidants are readily available in most foods that many people use today. By taking a good supply of antioxidant rich foods, you can be able to neutralize the lone molecules, thus ensure your body is safe from 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).
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