| "All disease is caused by free radicals." | | | | domino to disease. |
| Dr. Sherry Rogers MD - a leading figure in family and | | | | How Antioxidants May Prevent Against Free Radical |
| environmental medicine. | | | | Damage Antioxidants act like sponges moping up free |
| In 1956, Denham Harmon MD., PHD., proposed his free | | | | radicals and putting out their fires of destruction (1) |
| radical theory of aging. According to this theory, the | | | | Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating one of |
| aging process involves molecular and cellular injury | | | | their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" |
| caused by free radicals. This theory remains strong | | | | reaction. Only a pair of electrons makes them happy |
| today with free radicals and antioxidants still the | | | | and non destructive. The antioxidant nutrients |
| current buzz word in the field of anti aging and to a | | | | themselves don't become free radicals by donating an |
| lesser note disease prevention. | | | | electron because they are stable in either form. They |
| So without this article turning into a complicated and | | | | act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue |
| very boring chemistry and physiology lessen let's see if | | | | damage that could lead to cellular damage and |
| when can get to the heart of it by addressing the | | | | disease. The vitamins C and E are two antioxidants. |
| following: | | | | · Vitamin E - The most abundant fat-soluble |
| · What are free radicals? | | | | antioxidant in the body is one of the most efficient |
| · How do they damage the human body? | | | | chain-breaking antioxidants available. Primary defender |
| · How do antioxidant nutrients help protect the | | | | against oxidation and is believed to protect against |
| body against free radical damage? | | | | cardiovascular disease. |
| · How else can I prevent free radical damage? | | | | · Vitamin C - The most abundant water-soluble |
| What are Free Radicals and how are they formed | | | | antioxidant in the body. Acts primarily in cellular fluid. Of |
| A free radical is a hungry naked electron (1). | | | | particular note in combating free-radical formation |
| How are free radicals formed? Basically the nucleus | | | | caused by pollution and cigarette smoke. Many studies |
| of an atom is surrounded by a cloud of electrons. | | | | have correlated high vitamin C intakes with low rates |
| These electrons surround the nucleus in pairs, but | | | | of cancer, particularly cancers of the mouth, larynx and |
| occasionally an atom loses an electron, leaving the | | | | esophagus. (2) |
| atom with an "unpaired" electron. a free radical also | | | | How else can I prevent free radical damage? |
| known as , reactive oxygen species (ROS) (1). | | | | Before you go out and stock your pantry with |
| Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with | | | | mega-doses of these vitamins, be warned: more is not |
| other compounds, trying to capture the needed | | | | always better, and the synthetic versions can be |
| electron to gain stability. Generally, free radicals attack | | | | problematic and not absorbed by the body. Your |
| the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron. | | | | metabolic type also dictates how you are affected by |
| When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it | | | | various doses of vitamins; as we do not all react the |
| becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain | | | | same |
| reaction. Like a game of dominoes once the process | | | | Here are some initial steps: |
| has started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the | | | | Removing processed food and replacing with organic |
| disruption of a living cell. (2) | | | | and chemical free whole foods. Remember 'if it hasn't |
| When free radicals kill or damage enough cells in an | | | | been around for 10 000 years don't eat it.' Looking at |
| organism, the organism ages. Dr. Harmon launched his | | | | reducing the chemical pollutants in your home, office |
| theory by showing, for the first time, that feeding a | | | | and surroundings. Doing a Detox. However it's a good |
| variety of antioxidants to mammals extended their life | | | | idea to consult a specialist first who can evaluate your |
| spans. (3) | | | | level of toxins and recommend the right approach as it |
| Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. | | | | can be very costly buying unnecessary and possibly |
| Sometimes the body's immune system's cells | | | | unsuitable products |
| purposefully create them to neutralize nasty bugs like | | | | Conclusion |
| viruses, bacteria. Candida that sneaks through into the | | | | So is controlling these free radicals the secret to |
| blood stream is one target. However, environmental | | | | anti-aging and the prevention of disease? It definitely |
| factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and | | | | looks according to current research as being part of |
| herbicides can also spawn free radicals. We inhale | | | | the puzzle. But the bottom line is by following those |
| over 500 environmental chemical every day just in the | | | | initial steps, without a doubt you are heading in the right |
| average home (1). | | | | direction towards the fountain of youth and a long |
| Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if | | | | healthy life. |
| antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical | | | | Your 3d Coach |
| production becomes excessive and leaves our arsenal | | | | Craig Burton |
| deficient and unable to detoxify the next chemical | | | | References |
| attack then damage occurs. Damages lead to | | | | (1) Detoxify or die. Sherry Rogers, M.D. Sand Key |
| symptoms like head aches or mood swings then | | | | Company, 2002. |