A Primer on Free Radicals and Antioxidants

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A Primer on Free Radicals and Antioxidants

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/022682.html

 

(NaturalNews) Contrary to popular belief, free radicals are not entirely

bad for your health. Free radicals, by definition, are reactive elements

that want to steal electrons from compounds that they come into contact

with.

 

The vast majority of free radicals that exist in your body at any given

moment can be traced back to one of the following sources:

 

* Everyday metabolic pathways that occur in your body to produce energy

* Environmental toxins, such as industrial pollutants, household

chemicals, and cigarette smoke

* Physical stressors, such as unhealthy oils, food preservatives, and

the wide variety of chemicals that are found in almost all highly

refined foods

* Emotional stress

 

Free radicals inflict damage upon other compounds by stealing electrons

from them, which initiates bouts of inflammation that can lead to scar

tissue formation. For example, if enough free radicals steal electrons

from the inner wall of one of your blood vessels, the resulting

inflammation can lead to hardening of the vessel wall, which can cause

compromised blood circulation in that area of your body.

 

Just as free radicals can damage your tissues, they can also damage

viruses, bacteria, and harmful substances that make their way into your

blood; in these instances, free radicals act as important parts of your

immune system, and serve to protect the health of your tissues.

Free radicals that are formed inside of your cells via everyday

metabolic processes are important to your natural defense mechanisms.

These free radicals help to neutralize toxins, destroy waste products,

and protect your tissues against harmful microorganisms.

 

Free radicals become a significant cause of disease when you produce

them in excessive quantities and/or are exposed to large amounts from

the environment. When your body is bombarded by excessive free radicals,

you have a higher risk of developing a variety of degenerative diseases

- including cardiovascular disease and many types of cancer - due to the

damage that free radicals can inflict on tissues that they come into

contact with.

 

Antioxidants found in fresh, minimally processed foods are helpful to

your health because they are able to provide the electrons that free

radicals want. Once free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants, they

become harmless, and are eventually eliminated from your body.

 

Here are some practical notes on how to prevent free radicals from

significantly compromising your health:

* Avoid hydrogenated oils, fried foods in restaurants, and highly

refined foods - all of these foods are typically rich in free radicals.

* Avoid charcoal-grilled meats and animal products that have been cooked

at high temperatures - these foods are also abundant in free radicals.

* Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, celery, bell

peppers, carrots, and tomatoes. Fresh vegetables and fruits are rich in

natural antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals in your body.

* If your life circumstances permit, drink fresh vegetable juices on a

regular basis. Freshly pressed vegetable juices provide a wide range of

nutrients, including antioxidants, that are easily absorbed into your

bloodstream. To optimally support your blood sugar level, emphasize the

use of greens like romaine lettuce, kale, and celery, and use only small

amounts of sweet vegetables like carrots and red beets. Consider using a

high quality super green food product if you don't have time to make

vegetable juices on a regular basis.

* Eat fruits that are rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries,

pomegranates, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cherries, goji

berries, papayas, mangoes, watermelon, and olives.

* Don't overeat. Since free radicals are produced by your regular

metabolic activities, overeating results in excessive free radical

formation in your cells; these free radicals can spill out into your

blood, and eventually damage your tissues.

 

As you try to minimize the negative impact that free radicals can have

on your health, don't forget the importance of acquiring restful sleep

and striving to be emotionally balanced; a well rested body and a

balanced nervous system are two of the most important requirements for a

strong immune system that can protect your health against excessive free

radicals.

 

About the author

Ben Kim is a chiropractor and acupuncturist who lives in Ontario, Canada

with his wife and two sons. He provides information on how to experience

your best health as you age at his website, http://drbenkim.com.