Oxygen Free Radicals

Oxidants come in different shapes and appearances. The most notorious and best studied are called oxygen free radicals. These molecules are not in their right mind and live ready to pick a quarrel because they have lost one of the electrons that remain chemically stable.

Free radicals are constantly looking for other molecules to adhere to. The result of this union is an adherent cell degeneration. Find yourself in the other electron, they attack anything that crosses their path, destroying healthy cells and creating, in seconds, to the reproduction of more free radicals that are out of control to form a chain reaction.

According to Dr. Sies, free radicals beget radicals that in turn create more radicals.

If however, even bizarre, free radicals play a key role in the functioning of our body. That is, our body uses this ability to demolition of the radicals against external enemies (virus or bacteria) or to divide and use the oxygen in the body.

Another important function of these molecules is the control exercised by the contraction of smooth muscle of blood vessels. They are therefore crucial for proper blood circulation.

When the number of free radicals under control everything works better, is a bit what happens with a potentially toxic substance used in appropriate doses, it becomes a drug to cure diseases indispensablee. But the same substance becomes poisonous and can cause irreparable damage if consumed in excessive doses, it is exactly the same with free radicals.

Some of the damage caused when these molecules begin to adhere to cells of the body, include:

• Typical lesions of aging and therefore lack of elasticity, wrinkles, dark spots on the skin, collagen degradation .. We noticed the same outwardly situation occurs in all internal tissues.
• Atherosclerosis, as recent research has shown that obstructive plaque build up in the arteries is caused by the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL) by free radicals.
• Mucosal injuries and other cellular structures at risk of decline in immune function and appearance of various diseases such as arthritis and cataracts.
• DNA genetic chain.

This last remark is the most dangerous damage they can cause free radicals. These toxic molecules, to attack the DNA, which is the genetic material of cells, causing mutations, which are the first step toward cancer. More frightening still is that free radicals attack the fatty cell membranes.

Al be helpless for not having enough antioxidants these fats peroxide molecules, ie, they become rancid. This can completely disrupt the cellular architecture. The worst thing is that each molecule peroxidized fat becomes a kind of lighted torch capable of peroxide to any other fat molecule that approaches it, encouraging a chain reaction that continues until that runs out or is interrupted, but that just pollute millions of fat molecules.

But where free radicals come from

Some are simply waste of normal metabolic processes like breathing and immune reactions. That is, the useful free radical production is borne by the agency itself (by white blood cells) in case of infections by the endothelium (lining of blood vessels) to control the contraction of the vessels themselves and part of red blood cells to deliver oxygen and can use it.

Another part of the free radicals produced in the processing of food and oxygen into energy within cells, but rapid intervention normally an enzyme (superoxide dismutase) that neutralized.

However, most of the oxidants come from the environment and are destructive, such as ionizing radiation, the air cantaminantes, toxic industrial chemicals, the plagicidas, smoke Cigarette and drugs.

Obviously, each person can positively influence their destination, avoiding risks such as smoking or exposure to hazardous chemicals. But there is also the option of trying to outmaneuver the oxidant antioxidant up a better defense against attacks.

Source: Antioxidants and Free Radicals.

Food Miracle Medicine.