Free radicals are so keen to get on and react with other substances that they start off destructive chain reactions. Free radical damage has been implicated as a factor in heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and even the process of ageing.[1] Free radicals are thought to be toxic, causing damage to DNA and cells. Although antioxidants "clean up" free radicals, this process becomes more inefficient as we age.[2] Free radicals are molecules that are all around us. They are produced both as a natural product of living (through metabolism) and by outside sources such as sunlight, cigarette smoke and general pollution.[3]
Oxidative damage , another name for the chemical reaction free radicals cause, can lead to the breakdown or even hardening of lipids which make up all cell walls. If the cell wall is hardened (lipid peroxidation ) then it becomes impossible for the cell to properly get it’s nutrients, get signals from another cell (such as firing of a neutron), and many other cellular activities can be affected.[3] Oxidative stress (OS) is a term used to describe internal inflammation and the free radicals produced as a result. Free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants.[4] Oxidative damage is the foremost theory as to what causes the deterioration that comes with age. This concept is known in anti-aging as the “oxygen paradox.” While oxygen is required for life and cellular fuel, the side effects of oxygen metabolism are detrimental to our heath.[5]
So what are some of things you can do about free radical oxidation?
Antioxidant supplements include individual vitamin supplements such as Vitamins C or E or beta carotene and mineral supplements like selenium. Green tea extract, grape seed extract, and pomegranate are other popular natural antioxidant supplements.[7] Antioxidants, which have healing properties are found in certain vitamins and foods. The body manufactures a defense against free radicals in the form of antioxidants although the defenses breakdown as we age.[8] Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage free radicals otherwise might cause. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A, and other substances.[9]
To your continued longevity,
-Tony Estigoy
Articles quoted in this research:
[1] http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0328.htm
[2] http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2002/guarente.html
[3] http://www.stopgettingsick.com/template.cfm-1692
[2] http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2002/guarente.html
[3] http://www.stopgettingsick.com/template.cfm-1692
[4] http://justotalhealth.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/what-are-free-radicals/
[5] http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2009/03/inflammation-cut-it-off-at-the-pass/
[6] http://drlam.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/calories-that-count-p
[5] http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2009/03/inflammation-cut-it-off-at-the-pass/
[6] http://drlam.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/calories-that-count-p
[7] http://www.nutrasanus.com/antioxidants-category.html
[8] http://www.nuvet.com/freerads.asp
[9] http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/antioxidants
[8] http://www.nuvet.com/freerads.asp
[9] http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/antioxidants
No comments:
Post a Comment