Free Radical Damage and its Effect on the Aging Process
Return to Article Library
Understanding Free Radicals and How to Combat Them
Our body, and all matter in the universe consists of molecules.
Molecules are made up of one or more atoms of the same or different elements.
An element is the purest form of matter, and consists of a nucleus and an
electronic shell. The nucleus consists of neutrons and protons, and
the electrons revolve around or ‘orbit’ the nucleus in various layers called
‘shells’. Each shell has a fixed number of electrons and the number of shells varies
with each element.
The protons are positively charged particles and the electrons
are negatively charged. In order for the atom to have a neutral charge the number
of protons must equal the number of electrons. It is the electrons that cause
chemical reactions and bond atoms of different elements together. An atom is
constantly trying to stabilize by keeping its population of electrons equal to its protons.
What is a free radical and how is it formed?
A free radical is an unstable atom that is ever ready to react with another
element in a chemical reaction in an attempt to stabilize, giving birth to a new
molecule or adding to the number of existing ones. The electrons in the outermost
shell of an element are called ‘free electrons’ and move from atom to atom in a
molecule causing bonding and chemical reactions. When an atom has an unpaired
electron it tries to stabilize by adding an electron or expelling one electron
from this layer. Normally elements do not split to leave unpaired electrons, but
when a weak bond splits a free radical is created, ready to react at the slightest
opportunity with some other element.
Free radicals are formed when we exercise, eat, sleep and do almost anything.
When food is converted into energy in the body free radicals are formed. When the
muscles work during exercise free radicals are formed. The process of making lipids,
collagens and pigments also creates free radicals. These free radicals begin to
chip away the cells in a continuous process causing progressive damage through the years.
How free radicals affect the body
When a free radical reacts with a nearby stable molecule it captures a free
electron from the molecule in order to stabilize itself. The molecule that loses
its electron becomes a free radical and tries to stabilize by adding an electron
to its outer layer. This process continues and always ends in damaging or disrupting
a living cell in some way. Free radicals are created in the body in a normal process
called metabolism. The body creates free radicals to combat an intrusion by a virus
or bacteria.
Environmental hazards such as pollution also cause free radicals to be
created in the body. If the number of free radicals in the body is not controlled it
could lead to a lot of damage. The damage to the body caused by free radicals
increases with age and so it is important to devise ways to control the number of
free radicals in the system. In the human body the major contributors of free
radicals is the skin.
Damage caused by free radicals
Perhaps the most outstanding damage done to the body by free radicals
is the process of aging. The organs begin to lose their efficiency and the skin
begins to sag and ultimately everything comes to an end. It is no secret, free
radicals cause a lot of damage to living tissue.
Though the damage caused by
free radicals is slow, it accumulates over the years and slowly but surely
damages the cells to such an extent that repairs are almost impossible. The
damage caused could include loss of sight, loss of hearing, skin disease and
some life threatening diseases caused by damage to the heart, brain and other
critical organs in the body.
How to control free radicals
Though free radicals are very important in combating diseases the number
of free radicals must be controlled. Increasing the body’s portion of
antioxidants is the best way to control free radicals. In fact, the body
creates its own supply of antioxidants to combat the attack by free radicals.
These natural antioxidants the body makes are superoxide dismutase, catalase
and glutathione peroxidase. The human skin is exposed to about six thousand
attacks by free radicals every 24 hours, and the lack of antioxidants due to
pollution and diet deficiencies causes the attacks to age the skin faster.
Where can we find a good supply of free radicals?
It is important to increase the levels of antioxidants in the body to
combat the attacks and damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants can
be found in the food we eat. One of the richest sources of antioxidants is Soy
products and beans. De-ionized water, Avocado, Green Tea, Vitamin B, Vitamin E
are all good sources of antioxidants and must be consumed in adequate quantities
to supply our system with antioxidants that will combat the onslaught of free
radicals and prevent life threatening diseases and most of all slow down the
process of aging.
|
|
