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What They Are

The definition of free radicals defines them as unstable and chemically incomplete atoms thattend to steal electrons from other molecules in order to stabilize.

Electrons are part of an atom. They are located at the outer shell of an atom. An atom usuallybecomes "grounded" or stable when each of the electrons pair up.

The existence of a lone or unpaired electron is unnatural and makes an atom a free radical.

What Free Radicals Do

Free Radicals Cause Aging Virtually every definition of free radicals state that that is the reasonbehind aging: the development of symptoms related to heart disease, hypertension, stroke andcancer. It has been claimed as the cause of so many health complaints such as headaches, dryskin, high blood pressure, which are all attributes of aging.

Free radicals attacking healthy cells (illustration)

For long, free radicals gave an impression of being the big enemy' when talking about ourhealth, but that is actually not the case in every instance.

In truth, free radicals exist naturally inside the body. They are a product of oxidation, a processinvolved with respiration and other chemical reactions such as metabolism, digestion, energyproduction and consumption. The more we use oxygen, the more we are likely to produce freeradicals.

In other words, just the basic actions of living life will create free radicals in your body:Breathing, Digesting food, Exercising, Sunlight---all these and more will create free radicals inyour body.

In this light, it is possible for us to produce more free radicals than what our body can handle.

Another definition of free radicals mentions that they are purposefully created to neutralizeviruses and bacteria, marking these common pathogens to be attacked by antibodies.

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However, exposure to certain elements, which include pollution, cigarette smoke and sunlight,can also increase the formation of free radicals.

This is one more reason why smokers need to quit the habit, for the body generates about onequadrillion free radicals per stick. These elements cause damage to the tissues and delicate

cell membranes.

It may also damage our DNA and disrupt our store of inherited information. Damaged cellsreplicate haphazardly which is generally thought to be a precursor to cancer.

The Good and the Ugly When the electron is stolen from an invader (e.g., bacteria), theinvaders molecular structure is damaged, which leads to its death. This is good immunefunction at work.

When there are no invaders left to destroy, free radicals then turn to the only other source forelectrons healthy cells.

The resulting damage to the death of healthy cells, further signals the immune system foradditional help. This sets up a continuous autoimmune response which promotes chronicinflammation and tissue damage, commonly referred to as oxidative stress.

Chronic overproduction of free radicals by the immune system results in inflammatory-relateddiseases such as arthritis, arteriosclerosis, heart attack, Type II diabetes, lupus, MS, asthma,and inflammatory bowel disease, to point out just a few.

More on Aging & Free Radicals This directly links free radicals as the cause of fifty or so othermajor diseases, which include heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory diseases.However, people seem to be more familiar and concerned with free radicals aging.

Aging is an important definition of free radicals. This is because signs of free radical damagerefer to the signs of aging. Heart disease is acquired with age because of the damage to the fatcells, causing them to be more "sticky" and easier to adhere on the artery walls.

High blood pressure and stroke may also result because of this. Another sign is the dryness inthe skin, causing fine lines and wrinkles.

The free radical theory pretty much describes the definition of free radicals. According to thetheory, organisms age because of the accumulation of free radicals. Over time, the damagethey bring to the body is manifested through symptoms describing common health pains, achesand discomforts.

Inevitable free radical aging emphasizes the importance of maintaining sufficient amount ofantioxidant rich foods in our diet.

It is important to note that free radical damage accumulates with age, just like the discolorationyou see when an apple slice is left out in the air.

Diseases Linked to Free Radicals

Cancer

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Heart Disease (Atherosclerosis) Stroke Diabetes Hypertension Cataracts Macular Degeneration

Rheumatoid Arthritis Osteoarthritis Allergies Allergic Rhinitis Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sunburns Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome Gum Disease Autoimmune Diseases Nephritis (Kidney Disease) Lupus

Premature Aging And Wrinkling HIV/Aids Congestive Heart Failure Asthma Chronic Lung Disease (Copd) Crohns Disease Ulcerative Colitis Peptic Ulcer Disease Parkinsons Disease Sickle Cell Disease Skin Cancer Leukemia

Lymphoma Alzheimers Dementia Attention Deficit Disorder Hepatitis (Liver Disease) Cerebral Trauma Retinopathy Diverticulitis/Colitis Cystic Fibrosis Melasma Psoriasis Radiation Injury Immunodeficiencies

Infertility Menstrual Disorders Endometriosis Huntingtons Chorea Behcets Disease Vascular Dementia Peripheral Vascular Disease

How free radicals can cause heart disease

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Its not just the eating of fats that can cause the buildup of fat on the inner walls of arteries, butthe fat cells that have been damaged by free radicals. This is called oxidized fat which causesthe fat to become more sticky thus enabling the fat to adhere to the artery walls more easily.

Some of the symptoms experienced by free radical damage

Tremor Insomnia Headaches Acid reflux High blood pressure Edema Acne Eczema Dry skin Dry eyes Low energy & fatigue

Allergy symptoms Attention Deficit Disorder Bedwetting Constipation Gastro intestinal problems Immune system problems Joint pain Migraines Nerve pain Mood swings Swollen lymph nodes Over-weight conditions

Cysts Anxiety Poor circulation Cold sores Hearing loss Stroke symptoms

For long, free radicals gave an impression of being the big enemy' when talking about ourhealth, but that is actually not the case in every instance.

In truth, free radicals exist naturally inside the body. They are a product of oxidation, a process

involved with respiration and other chemical reactions such as metabolism, digestion, energyproduction and consumption. The more we use oxygen, the more we are likely to produce freeradicals.

In other words, just the basic actions of living life will create free radicals in your body:Breathing, Digesting food, Exercising, Sunlight---all these and more will create free radicals inyour body.

In this light, it is possible for us to produce more free radicals than what our body can handle.

8/4/2019 Definition of Free Radicals

5/5

Another definition of free radicals mentions that they are purposefully created to neutralizeviruses and bacteria, marking these common pathogens to be attacked by antibodies.

However, exposure to certain elements, which include pollution, cigarette smoke and sunlight,can also increase the formation of free radicals.

This is one more reason why smokers need to quit the habit, for the body generates about onequadrillion free radicals per stick. These elements cause damage to the tissues and delicate cellmembranes.

It may also damage our DNA and disrupt our store of inherited information. Damaged cellsreplicate haphazardly which is generally thought to be a precursor to cancer.

This directly links free radicals as the cause of fifty or so other major diseases, which includeheart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory diseases. However, people seem to be morefamiliar and concerned with free radicals aging.

Aging is an important definition of free radicals. This is because signs of free radical damagerefer to the signs of aging. Heart disease is acquired with age because of the damage to the fatcells, causing them to be more "sticky" and easier to adhere on the artery walls.

High blood pressure and stroke may also result because of this. Another sign is the dryness inthe skin, causing fine lines and wrinkles.

The free radical theory pretty much describes the definition of free radicals. According to thetheory, organisms age because of the accumulation of free radicals. Over time, the damagethey bring to the body is manifested through symptoms describing common health pains, achesand discomforts.

Inevitable free radical aging emphasizes the importance of maintaining sufficient amount ofantioxidant rich foods in our diet.

It is important to note that free radical damage accumulates with age, just like the discoloration

you see when an apple slice is left out in the air.

To learn more on combating free radicals check out benefits of antioxidants