How Do We Acquire the Free Radicals That Are Aging Us?
Have you heard of the Free Radical Theory of Aging? It’s actually one of the most accepted theories out there right now that explains the process of cellular and system degeneration. what it reveolves around is how your body acquires and produces unstable molecules called free radicals which, when left unchecked can cause damage to your body at the cellular level. As these damaged cells accumulate, the systems that they are a part of start to break down.
Antioxidants are nature’s answer to free radicals. These are molecules that are capable of donating an electron to a free radical without becoming unstable themselves. They halt the chain reaction and prevent the damage.
It makes sense that damage to your cells will age you, both visibly and hidden inside. Think of the skin of a fifty something sun worshipper. We’re not all that much different from other machines which – after years of wear and tear start to fall apart. We might not have broken screws, but chronic inflammation is hardly rare and it’s a classic sign of free radical damage.
Free radicals a.k.a. oxidants – have to come from somewhere, though, right? Yes indeed they do. They come from external and internal sources. The external or exogenous sources of oxidants include cigarette smoke, chemicals in the environment
There are four different ways that our bodies create free radicals – oxidants.
To create energy we use oxygen as fuel and generally convert it to water. But like many other processes in nature, the fuel doesn’t always burn as cleanly as we would like and the result is free radical versions of the oxygen molecule.
Our body uses some oxidants to fight chronic infections, bacteria and parasites. Unfortunately, in the process other cells in our body are exposed and vulnerable to the free radicals. We fight fire with fire and sometimes manage to burn ourselves in the process. We also produce hydrogen peroxide- another free radical version of oxygen – when we metabolize some fatty acids.
These processes are always going on in our body and happening in millions of cells. It’s no small wonder that antioxidant
In a final irony, an enzyme called cytochrome P450 is used by our bodies to defend against toxins like drugs, other foreign chemicals and pesticides. In the process of creating this enzyme, our body will also produce free radicals. In a way, this makes the external toxins doubly damaging.
In the battle to support your health, comfort and longevity, antioxidants are your bodies number one defense against the damage caused by free radicals. You can support your good health by eating antioxidant rich foods, supplementing with Vitamins C, E and C0Q10 and providing your body with the necessary substances to suppport the production of Glutathione- which is argued by many to be the most important of all the antioxidants. Indeed, it’s well recognized as the Master Antioxidant.
While working with Whole Earth Health, Anna Ruth has written a number of health related articles on subject ranging from anti aging supplements to natural pain relief support.