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Free radicals and antioxidants, also known as antioxidants or antioxidants, are constantly circulating through the body. If they are in balance, we are doing well. The excess of free radicals, on the other hand, causes atherosclerosis, cancer and premature aging.

What arefree radicals ? It is nothing but unpaired atoms. Each oxygen atom has an even number of electrons in its last orbit. It happens, however, that one electron is lost somewhere (eg in the process of oxygen transformation in mitochondria) and a "hole" appears in the atom. He then loses his balance and begins to violently search for the missing link. It looks for it in the immediate vicinity and does it quickly. As soon as it encounters the correct atom on its way, it attacks it to take away the electron it needs. In this way, he becomes the owner of an even number of electrons in the last orbit, but the atom attacked by him and robbed of one electron becomes a free radical "with a gap to plug". So he goes on the hunt. This is how the circle closes.

Free oxygen radical searches for a pair for its lonely electron in atoms of any substances. It does not have to be an oxygen atom, it will also be satisfied with, for example, a protein atom. Such prowling of free radicals in the cells of the body gradually destroys their structure (e.g. damages cell membranes, DNA), accelerates their death, and consequently ruins our he alth.

Important

As it turns out, our body needs a reasonable amount of free radicals. Especially the immune system. If a macrophage (a white blood cell belonging to this system) sees, for example, a pathogenic virus that has invaded the body, it absorbs it and triggers the production of free radicals inside it. They steal electrons from proteins and viruses so persistently that it eventually dies.

Free radicals - where do they come from?

Unfortunately, nothing is that simple in nature. This life-giving oxygen also has a second face. In the process of converting it into energy, some oxygen molecules get completely out of control and are released in the form of free oxygen radicals. What part is that? Over 5 percent It is not much, but … Scientists have calculated that in 70 years of life we ​​inhale on average about 17 tons of oxygen. So almost a ton turns into free radicals! And that's not all.

The processes of free radical formation are accelerated, for example, by smokingcigarettes, strong or long-term stress, exhaust fumes inhaled with the air, long sunbathing, and even strenuous training. The last statement may surprise us, because doctors convince us that sport is good for he alth. And yet. During intense exercise, metabolism is significantly accelerated. And faster metabolism means faster conversion of oxygen and glucose into energy, which as a side effect is the increased production of free radicals.

Unfortunately, this is not the end. Free radicals also reach our body from the outside through food. There are, among others, in smoked, fried or grilled products, which are a lot in our diet.

Free radicals cause atherosclerosis, cancer, aging

Free radicals are e.g. the primary cause of atherosclerosis. They not only damage the walls of blood vessels, but also oxidize LDL lipids (fats). Fats, along with cholesterol and calcium, begin to settle on the walls of the arteries in the form of atherosclerotic plaque. If there is a lot of it and the walls of the vessel are damaged, then dangerous clots will form. When such a clot "breaks", it can travel through the blood vessels towards the heart (then we are at risk of a heart attack) or the brain (then we are exposed to a stroke). These are not the only diseases in which the mismatch of oxygen atoms circulating in the body is involved. The free radical destroys everything it encounters on its way. Reaching for electrons, it often attacks DNA.

Thus, it alters the structure of our genetic code, and this in turn causes mutations in our DNA. The mutant cells begin to multiply like crazy, regardless of any barriers. This is how a cancer arises. Scientists are sure that free radicals have a greater or lesser influence on the development of all cancers we suffer from.

Free radicals also harm our beauty. By destroying the lipids (fats) of the epidermis, they damage its natural protective barrier. The skin becomes dry and prone to irritation. The collagen and elastin fibers of the dermis are also affected, which reduces its elasticity and accelerates the formation of deep wrinkles. But it doesn't stop there. In extreme cases, the nucleic acids responsible for the proper structure of cells are damaged, which may lead to the development of skin cancer.

Don't do that

Scientists believe that free radicals are formed faster in our body if:

  1. we smoke cigarettes,
  2. we live in a polluted environment,
  3. we spend a lot in the sun,
  4. we often catch viral and bacterial infections,
  5. we abuse alcohol,
  6. take ita lot of drugs,
  7. we live under constant stress,
  8. we rest too little,
  9. we often eat smoked and grilled food.

Other free radical diseases

We blame free radicals for wrinkles, sagging skin, and weaker immunity. It's true, but they are responsible for much more damage to our body.

  • Brain - senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke
  • Eyes - cataracts, macular degeneration
  • Skin - psoriasis, eczema, cancer, damage to collagen and elastin fibers (faster skin aging)
  • Breast - breast cancer
  • Lungs - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cancer
  • Heart and circulatory system - hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias
  • Pancreas - diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, cancer
  • Stomach and duodenum - gastritis, cancer, gastric and duodenal ulcers
  • Intestines - ulcerative colitis, colon cancer
  • Kidneys and urinary system - kidney failure, kidney cancer, bladder cancer
  • Skeletal System - Osteoarthritis
  • Sex organs - ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer

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