You have probably come across the question what are free radicals in the body and are wondering exactly what they are. These are simply highly reactive molecules manufactured in the body. They are manufactured through a natural body process as an end product of oxidation (metabolism), and by exposure to readily available toxins in the environment such as ultraviolet light and tobacco smoke.
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.
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 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.
While these antioxidants are readily available in the market in supplement form, it is worth mentioning that they can also be derived from a number of natural remedies and foods. These foods include goji berries, cocoa, black tea, chokeberry, acai, oolong tea, medicinal mushrooms, white tea, wheatgrass, and tart cherries to mention but a few. Most vegetables and fruits are also believed to be potent sources of antioxidants, and so are proteins and grains.
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.
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 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.
While these antioxidants are readily available in the market in supplement form, it is worth mentioning that they can also be derived from a number of natural remedies and foods. These foods include goji berries, cocoa, black tea, chokeberry, acai, oolong tea, medicinal mushrooms, white tea, wheatgrass, and tart cherries to mention but a few. Most vegetables and fruits are also believed to be potent sources of antioxidants, and so are proteins and grains.
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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