How Do Free Radicals Harm Your Health?

Discover why Free Radicals are bad for your health, and what you can do to prevent them from causing premature aging and disease.

Every day, our bodies are exposed to toxins that can damage our health. We also create them ourselves within our bodies, in the form of free radicals.

Free radicals are incomplete oxygen molecules that can cause damage to the membranes of the cells in our bodies. They are the by-products of many of our essential bodily unctions, so unfortunately, we can’t get rid of them. The reason they are dangerous is that because the molecules are not complete, they roam around the body looking for an additional electron in order to complete their outer ring.

They will steal the electron from anywhere they can get it, such as the cells in our body, and even from our DNA. This will weaken the cell or DNA, and may lead to the development of different types of diseases and mutations, including cancer.

The activity of free radicals in our bodies can cause our cell membranes to deteriorate, causing more rapid wear and tear and aging. The cell membrane holds the inside of the cell together, so if it is weakened, the cells will fail to function properly.

Each cell has a nucleus within it, but modern scientists are now coming to the conclusion that the cellular membrane is the true “brain” of the cell, and therefore has a greater effect on our well-being than we previously assumed. For example, the cell membrane lets nutrients in, and keeps dangerous substances out. But if it is weak, it will not be able to do its job as efficiently, leading to cell degradation and disease.

So where do these nasty free radicals come from, and what can we do about them?

They can also be created due to exposure to certain substances, like pollution, cigarette smoking, pesticides and more. The air we breathe and the chemical-laden foods we consume may have a detrimental effect on our bodies over time. Cellular metabolism and digestion can also work together to produce free radicals hungry for extra electrons. The best way to stop them from grabbing them, a process known as oxidation, is to add antioxidants to our diet.

While there is no way to avoid free radials completely, we CAN neutralize them.

We have all heard the word by now, but might not be sure of what antioxidants actually are. Basically, they are molecules that have an extra electron in their outer ring, so they can easily give the extra electron to the hungry roaming free radical looking for one, so the free radicals do not need to attack our cells or DNA>

Foods rich in antioxidants include green tea, blueberries and strawberries. Air-popped popcorn is another great low calorie source of antioxidants. Apples are another great source.

If you want to lower your risk of disease and reduce the signs of aging, try to stop smoking, cut back on the chemicals in your diet and in the personal products you use, soap, shampoo, and so on. Buy organic produce where it makes sense, such as foods with thin skins or skins you would eat, like apples and grapes. Start adding more tasty antioxidants to your diet, and see what a big difference even these small changes can make in the appearance of your skin and your overall health.

FURTHER READING

Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Green Tea and Antioxidants

How to Care for Your Skin and Reduce the Signs of Aging

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Why Are Free Radicals Bad for Your Health?
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Why Are Free Radicals Bad for Your Health?
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Discover why Free Radicals are bad for your health, and what you can do to prevent them from causing premature aging and disease.
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