How safe is your body? Threat from Free Radicals

How safe is your body? Threat from Free Radicals

Many terms that are common in science are not understandable by the laymen.

When we talk of old age and diseases, the term we come across is ' free radicals.

These are molecules that contain unpaired electrons in an atomic orbital. This property makes it highly unstable and highly reactive. It is important to understand that these highly reactive molecules are present in nucleus and membranes of cells. They damage the important molecules of DNA, protein, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids.

The damage caused by free radicals is called ' oxidative stress '.

Where and how are they produced?

• Internal source is the metabolic processes of the body.
• Excessive exercise
• Excessive stress
• Pollution of our food & water.
• Ultraviolet sunlight
• Medication & Radiations
• External sources are the X-ray, ozone, cigarette smoke, air pollutants,
  industrial chemicals to name a few.
• All the harmful reactions occurring in the body because of free radicals,
  increase with age.

Effects of Free Radicals

• Overproduction of free radicals can causes oxidative damage to bio molecules ,(lipids, proteins, DNA),eventually leading to many chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis,cancer, diabetics, rheumatoid arthritis,post-ischemic perfusion injury,myocardial infarction, cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammation, stroke and septic shock,aging and other degenerative diseases in humans .

How to neutralize the free radicals?

• Consumption of foods such as whole cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables in a good amount, extra virgin olive oil and cold-pressed soybean oil are quite helpful. Try to eat as much raw foods as possible.

• Adding more colors of vegetables and fruits in our food.

• Also try to avoid the frying of foods. When the food is roasted, then its browning and burning should be completely avoided.

The idea is to consume alkaline, anti-oxidant food which helps to neutralize these free radicals. The supplements, nutritional extracts which are plant based may also help. However its upon us to make sure about there authenticity.