How Do We Acquire the Free Radicals That Are Aging Us?
One of the most plausible theories on aging is based on the accumulation of damage caused by Free Radicals, which are basically unstable molecules (a few electrons missing in orbit). A free radical will steal electrons from nearby molecules which in turn create new free radicals and in so doing can set up a chain reaction within the cell that will eventually damage it. It is through the accumulation of damaged cells which essentially clutter up our systems and interfere with their proper operation that – according to my very oversimplified explanation of this theory – we age
Antioxidants are nature’s answer to free radicals. These are molecules that are capable of donating an electron to a free radical without becoming unstable themselves. They halt the chain reaction and prevent the damage.
Our bodies are machines and like other machines, the breakdowns start small (at the level of our cells) and build up until systems – like our immune system or respiratory system or nervous system – can no longer function properly with so many little bits of them clogged with cellular garbage and just not working properly.
Free radicals a.k.a. oxidants – have to come from somewhere, though, right? Yes indeed they do. They come from external and internal sources. The external or exogenous sources of oxidants include cigarette smoke, chemicals in the environment, trace minerals like lead and some normally ingested substances like caffeine. We also produce free radicals as a normal by product of many of our metabolic functions.
Our bodies make free radicals in different ways.
Out metabolism burns oxygen to create energy. Ideally we would completely convert oxygen molecules to water, but there are by products – free radicals.
Our body uses some oxidants to fight chronic infections, bacteria and parasites. Unfortunately, in the process other cells in our body are exposed and vulnerable to the free radicals. We fight fire with fire and sometimes manage to burn ourselves in the process. We also produce hydrogen peroxide- another free radical version of oxygen – when we metabolize some fatty acids.
These processes are always going on in our body and happening in millions of cells. It’s no small wonder that antioxidant supplements have become so popular and no small miracle that our body also produces some superb antioxidants like glutathione and CoEnzymeQ10 to help us deal with them.
In a final irony, an enzyme called cytochrome P450 is used by our bodies to defend against toxins like drugs, other foreign chemicals and pesticides. In the process of creating this enzyme, our body will also produce free radicals. In a way, this makes the external toxins doubly damaging.
With the abundance of oxidants available to damage our cells and age us, it’s important to ensure that we promote the production of antioxidants to fight them. They are among our best anti-aging and immune supporting defense systems. Among them C0Q10 and glutathione are incredibly important antioxidants to combat the damaging effects of free radicals.
While working with Whole Earth Health, Anna Ruth has written a number of health related articles on subject ranging from antioxidant supplements to immune system support.
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