Antioxidants and Free Radicals
Antioxidant Rich Food
Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds that are major player in prevention of disease caused by Free Radicals. To understand the Antioxidants we first must understand the havoc that Free Radicals produce in our body.
Free radicals are direct byproduct of oxidation. Oxygen that is in the air gives us life. Without it every living organism will die. The oxygen that enters our respiratory tracks is exchanged with carbon dioxide. Oxygen and food is further carried throughout our body for cells to produce energy. Eventually the oxygen will bind with hydrogen to produce water as a by-product. During this transformation there are number of molecules being formed known as free radicals.
The formation of these free radicals is a normal constantly occurring process. They are in relatively small numbers. The problem is magnified when external stresses are introduced. Pollution, toxins, alcohol, smoking, chemicals that are all around us cause severe transformation of these free radicals.
Free radical is unbalanced molecule that lacks one or more electrons. To obtain its equilibrium it will bind to the nearest and easiest molecule, stealing the electron to get its balance. The one that is lacking its electron now becomes free radical itself, causing a chain reaction that can eventually kill cells and destroy organs.
Our body has innate defense mechanism to protect us from normally occurring free radicals. Enzymes that are produced by cells will interact and neutralize some of the free radicals. The problem arrises when there are too many factors causing the formation of free radicals. These factors will eventually lead to diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, cataracts, aging and many other common ailments.
Enzymes that are produced by our body are limited. To neutralize the rampant formation of free radicals external supplements known as Antioxidants must be provided.
Antioxidants are nutrients that boost our defense system which protects us from free radicals. Some vitamins such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and of course beta-carotene are principal antioxidants found in herbs, plants and fruit. Trace minerals such as Selenium and Zinc act as boosters in formation of various enzyme. Hormones such as melatonin are one of the newest antioxidants that can infiltrate any cell in any part of the body.
Formation Of Free Radicals
The way that antioxidants neutralize the free radicals is quite interesting. Antioxidants essentially “sacrifice” themselves either by sapping the free-radical molecule or by providing electrons before the active cells can be attacked. Their affinity for positively charged free radical is much greater providing the easier path for chemical bonding. Unlike the molecules from the cells antioxidants do not continue the chain reaction. They are easily neutralized allowing simple excretion without any damage.
To better understand the oxidation process and the effect of antioxidants just take an apple, for example. Peel and slice an apple and leave it exposed to air. The oxygen from air will oxidize the slices leaving it dark brown. If you soak the slices in Vitamin C solution, being ascorbic acid, or lemon juice, being dilute citric acid, the apple will remain glistening white. The acids neutralizes the oxidative properties of oxygen protecting the apple.
This is the similar principle that the Antioxidants play in our body.
I don’t normally comment on blogs.. But nice post! I just bookmarked your site
Interesting atlcire, thank you. It’s good to read something related to oxidants that makes sense. I’ve got a similar website myself, so will keep popping back to see what else you’ve posted.
In contrast coconut oil contains antioxidants that not only prevent the oil from going rancid but also prevents the formation of free radicals that cause aging.