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 radicalsNormal 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 radicalsAtherosclerosis 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.