Date: 15/02/2010
What are Free-Radicals and how can they effect my health?
A free radical is a molecule that’s missing at least one electron in its outermost orbit, which causes it to be negatively charged. Like most things in nature, free radicals seek to remain neutral, and in an effort to achieve this balance they bump up against healthy cells in your body and steal electrons from them. This process is similar to an electric shock that leaves the once healthy cell, damaged and mutated.
Unfortunately the process doesn’t stop after damaging the first cell. This newly damaged molecule is now missing an electron and becomes a free radical. Each free radical that is created zaps electrons from healthy molecules to form new free radicals, thus creating a chain reaction that damages thousands of cells along its path.
Exercise causes free radical build up throughout the body. During exercise, the conversion of fat and sugar into energy occurs through a process known as oxidation. During this process, most of the oxygen combines with hydrogen to produce water. However, about 5% of the oxygen forms free radicals.
Environmental pollutants like smog, cigarette smoke and car exhaust all contain free radical molecules, and as our exposure to these increase, so does our chances of degenerative diseases. Worse yet, research shows that mental stress is one of the highest causes of free radicals. So as air pollution and mental stress worsen, free radical build up elevates.
Antioxidants work as free radical scavengers, seeking out free radicals and donating the electrons needed to neutralize them, thereby quenching their need to search out and destroy healthy cells.
A well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is important and will help, but alone it’s just not enough. Factory processing, additives and pesticides all work to destroy antioxidants within our foods and nutrient depleted soils no longer provide us with the nutrient rich foods.
Eating a well balanced diet and taking a potent Multi-Vitamin/Mineral/Antioxidant Supplement each day should be considered for adequate antioxidant protection and to promote optimum performance and long-term health.
Exercise creates free radicals which cause cell damaging, oxidative stress. Taking supplement with antioxidants will prevent cellular damage while strengthening your body's defenses.
