Free Radicals & Antioxidants

It seems everyone is discussing antioxidants these days and the importance of getting more of them; but do you ever wonder what the fuss is all about? Here’s why antioxidants are such a hot topic these days and how they can reduce your risk of disease – and even slow down the aging process.

What are free radicals? They are an enemy to anti-aging. Free radicals are molecules formed in the body that have an unstable, positive charge. In nature, positive charges like to team up with negative charges – so when a free radical forms it sets out to steal an electron from another molecule to make it more stable. That molecule, in turn, becomes a free radical and goes in search of an electron of its own. This sets up a chain reaction which eventually leads to the type of cell damage that causes disease and premature aging.

Where do these free radicals come from? Free radicals are created as a by product of the reactions the body undergoes to supply the body with energy and sustain life. It would be impossible for the body to carry out these important reactions without forming these unstable free radicals. In some cases, larger numbers of free radicals are formed. This occurs when a person breathes in pollution, smokes cigarettes, or eats unhealthy foods. Free radicals are naturally formed in the body, but humans often accelerate the process by eating the wrong foods and adopting bad habits such as smoking.

What are anti-oxidants? Simply put, antioxidants are molecules that offset the rogue activity of organic molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are molecules formed in the body that have an unstable, positive charge. In nature, positive charges like to team up with negative charges – so when a free radical forms it sets out to steal an electron from another molecule to make it more stable. That molecule, in turn, becomes a free radical and goes in search of an electron of its own. This sets up a chain reaction which eventually leads to the type of cell damage that causes disease and premature aging.

Antioxidants save the day by donating electrons to unstable free radicals so they don’t have to steal them from other molecules. Antioxidants are the knights in shining armor for the unfortunate cells that are trying to deal with too many free radicals.

Where do these antioxidants come from? Primarily from foods – particularly ones that contain large quantities of vitamin C, vitamin E, and plant pigments known as carotenoids and flavonoids. Vitamin C and vitamin E are two of the most powerful natural antioxidants, so getting more of these vitamins through diet helps to protect cells against the damage free radicals do.

Fruits and vegetables are some of the best sources of antioxidants to protect against cell damage which is why moms everywhere tell kids to eat their vegetables. Left unchecked, free radicals can cause lots of damage which culminates in diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Free radicals even break down the collagen structure that keeps skin looking young.

Eat more fruits and vegetables – preferably organic ones and stop doing destructive things to your body like smoking. Wear a sunscreen to protect your skin against the aging effects of the sun – which is also related to free radical damage. You can’t completely prevent the formation of free radicals, but you can add more antioxidants to your diet and keep them from getting out of control and causing diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and aged skin. Get smart and add more fruits and veggies to your diet. It’ll let those free radicals know who’s in charge.