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"Free Radicals Accelerate
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| Free Radicals At A Glance How Are These Radicals Harmful To Me? | Over 160 thousand individuals died from lung Cancer last year. Smoking is one of numerous causative agents that create a dangerous entity known as a free radical. You may not realize that every time you light one up you're initiating a destructive process that causes damage to certain cells in your body. |
[Top] A free radical is an unstable atom whose outer shell contains an unpaired electron.
Say what?
Relax, I'll make it as painless and simple as possible for you.
Let's start our discussion of these radicals by analyzing cells.
A cell is the basic structural and functional unit in all living things. Inside your body there are many types of cells, each one containing molecules, which are combinations of atoms.
Furthermore, all atoms contain a central core, the nucleus, and protons, neutrons, and electrons. The positively charged protons determine the number of negatively charged electrons in the outer shell of an atom.
In fact, these electrons rotate in shells around the cell's nucleus. The number of electrons in the atom's outer shell determines whether it will participate (or not participate) in chemical reactions.
Therefore, if a substance's outer shell is full, it tends to avoid any chemical reactions. If a substance's outer shell is not full, it will try to fill its outer shell by one of two ways
- It will gain or lose electrons as it attempts to fill its outer shell.
- It will share its electrons with another atom as it attempts to fill its outer shell.
[Top] Now, this is what happens next:
Normally, chemical bonds don't split in a way that leaves an unpaired electron. If that should happen, a free radical is formed. They are caused by a number of things, including:
- Stress
- Cigarette smoke
- Environmental toxins
- Chemicals
- Exposure to the sun
- A high fat diet
- Foods with lots of sugar in them
- Periodic over-exertion
- A lack of sleep
[Top] Indeed, when a radical 'steals' an electron from another cell, that cell becomes a free radical, thus setting off a chain reaction of cascading events.
Google News reports on a study from AARP that free radicals may be responsible for many neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Researchers think that these diseases may be formed years before any symptoms are noticed.They feel that exposure to higher levels of these radicals may damage vulnerable neurons in the brain, above and beyond what would occur with normal aging.
Many researchers think these radicals cause decomposition of our bodies and are a major contributor to the aging process. Also, if left unchecked, they could lead to Heart disease or Cancer.
Here's how these radicals attack a cell:
Basically, these unchecked radicals attack the cell's membrane, which is largely made up of cholesterol. This causes an increase in cholesterol levels in the body, which can lead to heart disease.
If these radicals attack cellular DNA, the result may be Cancer.
[Top] An antioxidant is a substance that prevents oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
What in the world is oxidative damage, you say?
Here's a real-world example that should clarify things. You've all seen how a half-eaten apple starts to turn brown, after a while.
That's oxidation.
Normally, the body is able to handle these radicals and prevent oxidative damage. But that's only if your diet is rich in foods containing Vitamins C,E, and Selenium.
a certain type of individual can reduce their chances of catching a cold by 50% by taking Vitamin C. are you in this group?
Antioxidants, whether dietary of supplemental, sacrifice the electron the radical needs thus making it stable.
learn which types of Cancers Chinese researchers claim Selenium reduces the risk of developing
That begs the question, if these vitamins sacrifice an electron themselves, doesn't that make them radicals also? The answer is no, they remain stable in either form.
what antioxidant is found in large quantities in your heart, and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease when blood and tissues levels of it become low
learn what childhood disease is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A
[Top] The solution is simple: Eat 5 to 8 servings daily of foods containing Vitamins A, C, E, Coenzyme Q10, and Selenium.
Eat those fruits and vegetables!
In conclusion, do yourself a favor. Make sure you receive adequate amounts of the abovementioned antioxidants from your diet or via supplementation.
It just might prevent you from becoming the next mortality statistic.
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