Once upon a time, you
were taught that atoms were the building blocks of
everything. You learned that:
- atoms consist of a
nucleus, neutrons, protons, and electrons
- atoms bond together
to form a molecule
- many molecules
bonded together (about 10 billion) compose a cell
You learned that your
body is made up of cells, trillions and trillions of
cells.
Most likely, unless you are still very young indeed, you
were not taught about
the free radicals.
Free Radicals Explained
Electrons normally dance in pairs around (or orbit) the
nucleus or center of the atom. They encircle the nucleus
in concentric shells or rings. Once a shell is full,
electrons begin to fill the second shell and so on.
Sometimes, an atom will share its electrons by bonding
with a nearby atom, thereby completing the outer shell
of each. This act of sharing is called a chemical bond.
By sharing electrons, atoms are bound together in a way
that satisfies the condition of maximum stability for
the atoms, and thus together they become a molecule.
Chemical bonds don’t normally split in a way that leaves
the molecule with an odd, unpaired electron.
Occasionally, the bond holding the paired electrons
together weakens; an electron becomes disengaged, or
lost. This unfortunate separation leaves the atom with
an unpaired (or single) electron, in effect
destabilizing or traumatizing the atom, and leaving it
free to react with other compounds.
So, basically, Free Radicals are simply the term
given to atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons in
the outer ring.
The Dangers of Free Radicals
Once formed, these highly reactive free radicals can
start a chain reaction, like dominoes falling. The freed
or single electrons of a free radical are very unstable
and have a strong need to bond with another electron,
thus once again becoming a pair. These free radicals are
so driven by their need to bond that they will attack,
capture, and even steal an electron from the nearest
stable molecule.
The chief danger to humans comes from the damage these
free radicals can do when they react with important
human cellular components— such as DNA, or the cell
membrane. When cells in the body encounter free radicals
there is the potential for great disruption. The cells
may function poorly or may even die from this
unfortunate interaction. As explained in detail in Dr
Stephen Levine’s monumental book Antioxidant Adaptation,
this is the aging process or, certainly, a major
component of the aging process.
Free radicals can be formed when oxygen interacts with
certain molecules. The fact is, some free radicals arise
normally during the process of metabolism—the chemical
processes occurring within a living cell or organism
that are necessary for the maintenance of life. Further,
the body’s immune system cells purposely create free
radicals to neutralize viruses, bacteria and other
disease causing organisms. Free radicals are also
created as a byproduct of vigorous exercise or through
exposure to certain environmental toxins. .
Antioxidants Unmasked-- The Free Radical Scavengers
The true heroes are the antioxidants, also known as Free
Radical Scavengers! The role of antioxidants is unique,
as they truly exist to serve; they function as electron
donors for bonding or donating an electron to free
radicals, thereby putting an end to free radicals’
indiscriminant search for new partners with which to
bond.
Under normal circumstances, the body can ward off any
damage caused by free radicals. The body actually has a
defense system to prevent free radical damage. This
defense system consists of antioxidants — molecules
which can safely interact with free radicals and
terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are
damaged.
Because of their unique nature, the antioxidants, while
satiating the need for the free radicals to gain
electrons, somehow manage to keep from doing further
damage. They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell
and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and
ultimately to disease. Although they bravely relinquish
their electrons, amazingly, they themselves do not then
become free radicals; they have a unique stability in
either form! And that, my friends, is the fundamental
importance of antioxidants.
The Key to Health
Although a healthy being can normally handle a normal
exposure to free radicals, if there are not enough
antioxidant molecules available or if the free radical
production becomes excessive and too much for our
antioxidants to handle, substantial biological damage
will occur.
Free radicals contribute significantly to many different
conditions, perhaps the most prominent of which is the
damage caused in the aging process. Since the basic
cause of aging is free radicals, if we minimize our
exposure to free radicals and provide our body with
maximum protection from free radicals, we will add many,
many years to our lives.
So, consistently drink plenty of water, eat real food
including plenty of fruits and vegetables, include
quality nutritional supplements and treat your body
kindly by including appropriate movement in your daily
regimen. Do these things and you will greatly reduce
your chances of succumbing, prematurely, to the ravages
of aging caused by free radicals. |
