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.
Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, mucular generation, Parkinson's disease, and glaucoma are few of the many health complications associated with these lone molecules in the body.
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.
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.
They are also available as supplements, but most people will always recommend the use of natural remedies and food sources. Some of the well known foods include black tea, cocoa, goji berries, acai, choke berry, oolong tea, white tea, medicinal mushrooms, tart cherries and wheatgrass to mention but a few. Further ensuring there is a good supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, enough proteins, and sufficient amounts of grain in your diet can also help.
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.
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.
Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, mucular generation, Parkinson's disease, and glaucoma are few of the many health complications associated with these lone molecules in the body.
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.
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.
They are also available as supplements, but most people will always recommend the use of natural remedies and food sources. Some of the well known foods include black tea, cocoa, goji berries, acai, choke berry, oolong tea, white tea, medicinal mushrooms, tart cherries and wheatgrass to mention but a few. Further ensuring there is a good supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, enough proteins, and sufficient amounts of grain in your diet can also help.
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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