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.
Lone radicals, for the most part, are unpaired. This explains the reason why they are always roaming up and about looking for other lone electrons in which they can pair and stabilize. The process of searching for other lone electrons is what leads to so many health complications in the body. The process can bring about premature aging, tissue damage, and so many other health complications.
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.
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.
Worth noting is that when looking to pair with other roaming molecules, the process significantly destroys an otherwise health status of other cells and tissues in the system, thus making the process worse. Luckily, thanks to antioxidants, the snowball effect is significantly reduced.
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.
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.
With that being said, it is important to ensure you have a free radical scavenger in your diet all the time. This can be an enzyme, a vitamin, or even a simple mineral that will destroy the lone and unstable molecules. This scavenger basically hunts down all lone molecules and destroys them. This way, they will not end up causing any harmful damage to healthy cells. What are free radicals in the body and what are the best scavengers can best be understood once you clearly understand what antioxidants are.
Lone radicals, for the most part, are unpaired. This explains the reason why they are always roaming up and about looking for other lone electrons in which they can pair and stabilize. The process of searching for other lone electrons is what leads to so many health complications in the body. The process can bring about premature aging, tissue damage, and so many other health complications.
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.
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.
Worth noting is that when looking to pair with other roaming molecules, the process significantly destroys an otherwise health status of other cells and tissues in the system, thus making the process worse. Luckily, thanks to antioxidants, the snowball effect is significantly reduced.
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.
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.
With that being said, it is important to ensure you have a free radical scavenger in your diet all the time. This can be an enzyme, a vitamin, or even a simple mineral that will destroy the lone and unstable molecules. This scavenger basically hunts down all lone molecules and destroys them. This way, they will not end up causing any harmful damage to healthy cells. What are free radicals in the body and what are the best scavengers can best be understood once you clearly understand what antioxidants are.
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