When iron and metal are uncovered to the weather for a very long time, a course of known as­ oxidation begins to take impact.  The steel takes on a brownish tint known as rust, and if left unchecked the steel will start to deteriorate and ultimately fail.  The phrase oxidation means one thing, not at all times steel, has reacted to the presence of oxygen.    Free Radicals  means oxygen molecules have misplaced an electron as they mingled with different molecules. 

Our our bodies have related constructions.  These wounded defectors are actually what we name free radicals.  They’re unstable oxygen molecules in our our bodies, and they’re very harmful.  In an effort to heal themselves these free radicals are consistently making an attempt to steal electrons from wholesome molecules, turning that beforehand wholesome molecule into one other free radical.  So what’s the issue, the free radical that stole the electron is now a wholesome molecule once more, proper ?   Improper !  As soon as a free radical is created there’s no going again. 

     So what does all this speak about free radicals and molecules received to do with us ?  Each time wholesome molecules are uncovered to oxygen, free radicals are produced.  Lower an apple in half and go away it uncovered to the open air.  Come again in a day or two and the portion uncovered will begin to deteriorate and switch brown.  That’s free radicals within the making. 

We as people can really feel the sting of the free radical as a result of nearly each component of our physique is uncovered to oxygen on a steady foundation.  Analysis has proven that free radicals contribute to main diseases such because the getting old course of, most cancers, coronary heart illness, arthritis and quite a few different issues. 

     In the event you assume free radicals are overseas invaders attacking our our bodies, assume once more.  Most free radicals are produced proper inside our our bodies.  When the physique generates power, it additionally produces free radicals.  White blood cells produce free radicals for the aim of killing attacking micro-organisms and micro organism. 

The issue is a number of the wholesome tissue within the physique will get killed together with the invading micro organism.  The rationale we survive is ( in case you keep in mind your highschool physics ) for each motion, there may be an reverse and equal response.  Our physique’s response to the free radical is the antioxidant.  Antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Beta Carotene stand between the free radicals and the physique’s wholesome molecules.  Antioxidants defend wholesome molecules by donating a few of their electrons to the free radicals, thus eliminating the harmful potential of the free radicals. So though the physique creates free radicals, it additionally creates antioxidants to battle them. 

Since meals comprises antioxidants and the physique produces antioxidants the antioxidant to free radical ratio is 2 to 1 in favor of the antioxidants.  To keep up that 2 to 1 benefit it is advisable preserve your manufacturing of antioxidants at a excessive stage by taking dietary supplements and consuming recent natural meals which are wealthy in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and beta carotene. 

     Free radicals come from outdoors the physique additionally.  Air air pollution, tainted water, exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, and pesticides are all exterior contributors to the formation of free radicals.  The our bodies of cigarette people who smoke are loaded with free radicals making it extraordinarily troublesome for antioxidants to keep up their 2 to 1 ratio. 

And when antioxidant exercise is surpassed by free radical exercise, illness and different illnesses discover their method into the physique.  And to make issues even worse as a result of illnesses and illnesses are main producers of extra free radicals.