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.
These radicals are known as "free" because of the fact that they are floating around aimlessly in search of stabilization. They are defined as "radicals" since they can pair with so many other electrons in the body. When they find another molecule to pair with, the donating cell loses an electron, thus becoming a "free radical" as well. The vicious process of looking for yet another lone molecule to pair with thus causes a snowball effect and may end up damaging all healthy body tissues.
Some of the diseases linked to these include cancer, heart disease, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and mucular degeneration often associated with aging.
In the process of attaining their stability by bonding with other molecules in the system, the molecules end up destroying their good health status, thus worsening the already damaged process. It is because of this that there is a very close connection between antioxidants and these radicals.
Antioxidants such as lipoic acid, lycopene, selenium, resveratrol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene have proven very effective in reducing the damage of these radicals. Thanks to their ability to restrain the formation of the bad molecules in the first place. The other good news is that these antioxidants are readily available in most foods that many people use today. By taking a good supply of antioxidant rich foods, you can be able to neutralize the lone molecules, thus ensure your body is safe from oxidative stress.
While these antioxidants are readily available in the market in supplement form, it is worth mentioning that they can also be derived from a number of natural remedies and foods. These foods include goji berries, cocoa, black tea, chokeberry, acai, oolong tea, medicinal mushrooms, white tea, wheatgrass, and tart cherries to mention but a few. Most vegetables and fruits are also believed to be potent sources of antioxidants, and so are proteins and grains.
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.
These radicals are known as "free" because of the fact that they are floating around aimlessly in search of stabilization. They are defined as "radicals" since they can pair with so many other electrons in the body. When they find another molecule to pair with, the donating cell loses an electron, thus becoming a "free radical" as well. The vicious process of looking for yet another lone molecule to pair with thus causes a snowball effect and may end up damaging all healthy body tissues.
Some of the diseases linked to these include cancer, heart disease, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and mucular degeneration often associated with aging.
In the process of attaining their stability by bonding with other molecules in the system, the molecules end up destroying their good health status, thus worsening the already damaged process. It is because of this that there is a very close connection between antioxidants and these radicals.
Antioxidants such as lipoic acid, lycopene, selenium, resveratrol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene have proven very effective in reducing the damage of these radicals. Thanks to their ability to restrain the formation of the bad molecules in the first place. The other good news is that these antioxidants are readily available in most foods that many people use today. By taking a good supply of antioxidant rich foods, you can be able to neutralize the lone molecules, thus ensure your body is safe from oxidative stress.
While these antioxidants are readily available in the market in supplement form, it is worth mentioning that they can also be derived from a number of natural remedies and foods. These foods include goji berries, cocoa, black tea, chokeberry, acai, oolong tea, medicinal mushrooms, white tea, wheatgrass, and tart cherries to mention but a few. Most vegetables and fruits are also believed to be potent sources of antioxidants, and so are proteins and grains.
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.