Free radicals are highly reactive molecules (many are toxic forms of oxygen molecules) that can bind to and destroy cellular compounds, resulting in disease and aging. Many are formed as the body tries to break down and eliminate toxic substances. They can be likened to singles who steal partners from established couples rather than finding another single waiting for a chance to dance!

However, in a person who ingests plenty of antioxidants daily, there is no need for free radicals to steal from cellular molecules and create damage. free radicals will be snatched up by the antioxidants (free radical scavengers), and their power to destroy important structures will be controlled. Check the lists below to see how you can minimize the formation of free radicals in your body and thereby prevent many diseases. Also see that you ingest plenty of the antioxidants to keep the numbers of free radicals in check!

There will always be free radicals in any body, and some actually have beneficial roles. The key is BALANCE! There must be optimal balance for optimal health.

sources of free radicals

Normal Cellular metabolism

Cigarette Smoke

Fried / BBQ / Charbroiled foods

Drinks

Alcohol

Coffee

Pesticides

Petroleum Based Products (aka Vaseline)

Anesthetics

Air Pollution

Smog

Chemicals

X Rays

Radiation

diseases caused by free radicals

Atherosclerosis

Heart Disease

Cancer

Alzheimer’s Disease

Cataracts

Immune Deficiencies

Premature Aging

Osteoarthritis

Free Radicals are involved in the progression of almost EVERY ailment!

sources of antioxidants “Free radical scavengers”

Beta Carotene

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Flavonoids

Carotenes

Compounds of Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese & Selenium

CoEnzyme Q 10

Cayenne Pepper

Thyme

Turmeric

Rosemary

Garlic

Quercetin

Milk Thistle

Polyphenols in Red Wine

Green Tea

Grapeseed & Pine-Bark extracts

Cloves, Cinnamon, Cumin, Fennel, Fenugreek

Green leafy vegetables

Yams

Sweet Potatoes

Carrots

Crayhon, Robert. Robert Crayhon's Nutrition Made Simple: A Comprehensive Guide to the Latest Findings in Optimal Nutrition. M. Evans, 1996.

Murray, Michael T., and Joseph E. Pizzorno. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Simon & Schuster, 2014.