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