Our bodies are made up of trillions of atoms and molecules, ever day these atoms in our body wage war between life and death. Breathing oxygen the basic necessity for life promotes free radicals also known as radical oxygen species (ROS). With every breath of oxygen we take, our body circulates oxygen through out itself and as this oxygen passes through various metabolic functions the oxygen will bond with hydrogen, carbon and other elements that can easily be eliminated from the body, but in some cases the oxygen can lose an electron and become unstable also known as a free radical.
When oxygen looses an electron it looks for a replacement and will attach itself to the nearest cell offering an electron causing cellular damage. Have you ever seen when an apple is cut open it has a nice white/off white color but leave it set for a few minutes and it turns brown? Well at the atomic level oxidation is causing the oil soluble parts to become damaged and that is why the apple turns brown. In our bodies the water soluble parts can oxidize and produce toxic by products such as hydrogen peroxide. If a cells' DNA becomes damaged the cell can die, but in some cases the cell goes on living and reproducing its damaged self this is known as cancer. This oxidation in the body is called oxidative stress and if left unchecked can lead to disease.
Oxidative stress isn't limited to the oxygen we breathe and our metabolism, it also comes from environmental chemicals, radiation and second hand smoke. We have all experienced second hand smoke; this will contribute to our daily free radical war on the body. But there is hope, a good diet and lifestyle can turn the tables and bring health to the body.
There is an answer to the free radical war, its called antioxidants. These antioxidants circulate through out the body with electron donors offering the free radical what it needs an electron to become stable again. Our body manufactures some antioxidants such as Glutathione and the enzyme Dismutase. These antioxidants combine with minerals that we get from our diets such as copper, magnesium, and zinc and offer electrons to free radicals making them stable thus preserving cellular DNA damage which in turn improves health. Never the less even though our body can produce antioxidants, the body can not produce enough to fight all the free radical war that is going on in our body.
We need to get a majority of the antioxidants from our diet; this is why a varied diet is so important. Make sure you eat your fruits and vegetables. Our cells are made up of both water and lipids (fats); so we need a variety of both water soluble and fat soluble antioxidants in our diets. With a good variety of both types of antioxidants in body, antioxidants can regenerate themselves by passing electrons back and forth prolonging their life.
One of these great dietary antioxidants is vitamin E. Vitamin E is an oil soluble vitamin which helps maintain the lipid domain of our body; that is cell membranes, cholesterol and other lipids in the body. Vitamin E is composed of tocopherols and tocotrienols each having components beta, gamma, delta, and alpha forms four in natural vitamin E. Synthetic Vitamin E has beta, gamma, delta, and alpha as well as their isomers. We will focus on only natural vitamin E. Vitamin E donates electrons to lipid free radicals rendering them harmless. Vitamin E is regenerated by Vitamin C and Glutathione.
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is a very inexpensive and only acquired by diet water soluble antioxidant. Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals as well as reactive nitrogen free radicals and is regenerated by vitamin E and Glutathione. Vitamin C helps preserve Glutathione concentrations within cells as well.
Another great antioxidant is found in all the parts of plant stems, roots, leaves, blossoms, bark, seeds and fruits are called Polyphenols. Polyphenols are strong antioxidants and consist of thousands of plant chemical groups which are great for the body. You may recognize some of these polyphenols as bioflavonoids usually mixed with vitamin C, procyanidins found in grape seed, skin, and pine bark extracts, catechins found in green tea and white tea, and Xanthones found in Mangosteen.
There are many more antioxidants available most of which we won't discuss in this article, some others you might be familiar with are Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine), and Vitamin A (Beta Carotene). These are all available in supplement form.
The Fight against free radicals will continue for the rest of our lives, if we maintain a diet high in both water soluble and oil soluble antioxidants we can possibly prevent all sorts of disease and live long and healthy lives. Don't forget if you can't get your daily vegetables and fruits, visit your local vitamin store they offer a large selection of antioxidant formulas along with vegetable and fruit complexes in a pill form. Keep up the good fight.
Related Articles
Anti-aging and Antioxidants
By: Carson Danfield | 21/08/2008 | Anti Aging
The most popular antioxidants that are used for skin care products are the vitamins A, C and E.
All you Really Need to Know About Free Radicals and Antioxidants
By: Jeff Taylor | 26/01/2007 | Nutrition
Free radicals and antioxidants are often mentioned when people talk about health and nutrition - but many of us don't really know why they're important.
Feed your Face: Top 5 Foods for a Better Complexion
By: Michelle Normand | 20/02/2008 | Anti Aging
They say you are what you eat. No amount of cosmetics or mail-order, miracle creams can fix a complexion damaged by unhealthy habits. Keep reading to see what you can do to feed your face a healthy diet and get the skin your body deserves.
Cancer Can be Cured – Natural Herbal Remedies
By: Philip Randall | 25/06/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Cancer Can Be Cured with Natural Herbal Remedies and powerful free radical destroying antioxidants
Healthy Dark Chocolate and Antioxidants -- Give Your Body a Boost?
By: Timothy Prahl | 02/08/2008 | Health
Dark chocolate is certainly not the first food that would come to mind when considering "Healthy". However, evidence is mounting that the extremely high concentrations of Heart Healthy antioxidants found on the cocoa bean may well provide a much needed antioxidant boost to supplement our body's defensive barriers.
Unique Ways of Using Antioxidants to Counteract Free Radicals
By: Richard Wise | 19/10/2007 | Nutrition
A great deal of publicity has been given to free radicals and antioxidants, but do you know what they are and how they can affect your ability to stay healthy? It is unquestionable that antioxidants shield you from some of the most serious diseases. It's as easy as ABC!
Super Foods That Can Save Your Skin From Sun Damage
By: Irina Wardas | 26/06/2008 | Women's Health
We, women, always want to look fabulous no matter what. That is why we always try different diets (which mostly don’t work - ask me why)to loose weight, and this is one of the reasons why we want to get suntan as soon as summer has arrived. If we want to feel and look great, and I mean healthy, we have not only to look for healthier suntan alternatives(Part I) but also to eat super foods that can save our skin from sun damage.
Benefits of Blueberries in Preventing Cancer
By: D. Cullen | 28/07/2006 | Health
Blueberries are the super-food of the century! Studies show that blueberries of all foods are the highest in antioxidants (antioxidants fight diseases including prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer). A half-cup of blueberries has as much as five times the antioxidant power of other fruits and vegetables.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I have 15 kVA for all my computer equipment. What ...
By: chandra morrison | 05-08-2008
I have 15 kVA for all my computer equipment. What would be the kilowatts?
Cancer in Children of Agent Orange Vets
By: mom in omaha | 05-08-2008
My brother-in-law was in the Air Force and was a forward flight observer during the Tet offensive time period. They went inside enemy lines in a jeep and a radio operator to spot enemy locations and numbers. One would assume he was in contact with Agent Orange. When he returned, his first daughter was conceived and at age 7, a massive tumor was discovered on her tumor. After surgery, her doctor said it looked like it had been there most of her life. Have any studies been done on cancers in the children conceived shortly after the return of Viet Nam veterans. It seems the cruelest legacy if it causes cancer in their children. Her tumor was extremely rare. She died shortly after turning 8 years old and suffering through multiple rounds of chemo.
URGENT some one plz help me.:(
By: marianny | 03-08-2008
on my cell i owe 264.44 as far as i kner i have'nt payed it yet but i was going to but then i called the 1800 number and they said your account balance is of 1,895 imean i owed 264 i used it after but does account balance is what i owe then someone tell me i am crying becuase i dont know were i gonna get the money from. so tell me plz if thats what i owe them. what does account balance mean?
Why women end up less happy than men
By: michelle | 30-07-2008
If men earn more than women over the course of their lives, then older single women will be poorer than older single men, thus accounting for the difference in happiness, yes?
Has anyone had experience with the prism glasses ...
By: hlscho2 | 29-07-2008
Has anyone had experience with the prism glasses that are supposed to expand your peripheral vision? I had brain surgery 3 months ago and as a result lost my left peripheral vision in both eyes. I've been researching the glasses and would like a first hand opinion as to whether they really do expand your peripheral vision. I would also really appreciate some advice of where I can find a detailed/upclose picture of them online or from someone. I have appointments at the end of August w/a low vision specialist and a neuro opthomologist, but would really like to get more first hand experience feedback before then. Thanks Heather
About choosing degree
By: snehu | 28-07-2008
i got admission in bachelor of biomedical science and as well in biomedical engineering.i am in australia now and i want to back india after doing any of this course .which course should i do?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Advice Articles
Tips for Natural Hair Treatments
By: Kim Snyder | 21/08/2008
Beautiful and healthy hair truly comes from with. By eating well, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep all help your hair. As well as staying away from drinking too much and smoking because it all shows up in our hair. Only women can blame having a really bad day on our hair. Sorry guys it doesn’t sound quite right to hear from you that you are having a “bad hair day”. Women say it all the time.
Why Bond Grows Bitter?
By: Dr. Pratima Jagadeesh | 21/08/2008
All about make and break of relationships. If enough precautions are taken not to break it, naturally you have made it.
Set of My Likings Dated 21.08.08
By: Dalip Singh Wasan | 20/08/2008
Every one of us must try to understand and enlist one's likings so that we could understand what other likes and we shall be improving on our conduct with others.;
Hypnotic Writing, Does It Work?
By: A. Thomas Perhacs | 20/08/2008
Have you ever wondered if Hypnotic Writing or influencing others through the written word worked? In this thought provoking article, you'll be shown some examples of how Hypnotic Writing works.
Can You be Friends If They Think You Are Faking Your Illness?
By: Lisa Copen | 20/08/2008
Living with a chronic invisible illness can be difficult, but having those you care about the most doubt your disease can be even more disheartening. Can you still be friends?
The Power of Taking Responsibility
By: Gregory McGuire | 20/08/2008
Let me just ask you a question: Do you believe
that you could take action in the next 2 weeks that
would make your life significantly worse?
How to Rid yourself of Destructive Jealousy
By: Katlyn | 20/08/2008
Most everyone experiences jealousy at some point in their life, but jealousy for some, can get out of control. It becomes a toxin to themselves and adversely affects their relationships. It's important to assess your jealous feelings and learn how to deal with them.
Making Friends
By: carol stanley | 20/08/2008
Good friends are what life is about. There are many places to meet them...As we age the process has more challenges.
More from Darrell Miller
Men Become Fragile With Age, Minerals Can Help
By: Darrell Miller | 20/08/2008 | Health
Osteoporosis has always been known to threaten women, as it afflicts 8 million females in the US, but this bone-thinning disorder is becoming a serious public health issue among men also. More than 2 million men may be at risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures, with 6% of them over...
The Benefits of Taking Milk Thistle Extract
By: Darrell Miller | 20/08/2008 | Health
Milk thistle is a plant whose fruit and seeds have been used for more than 2,000 years as a treatment for disorders of the liver, bile ducts, and gallbladder. Milk thistle is also called holy thistle, Marian thistle, and Mary thistle is indigenous to the Southern regions of Europe...
A Natural Alternative To Drugs For Pain Relief Is Herbal Turmeric
By: Darrell Miller | 18/08/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
Is life impossible to live with out pain relieving prescription or over the counter drugs? If your answer is yet, consider an herbal alternative that has zero side effects and is suppose to be as effective in relieving pain as those drugs that have side effects.
Losing and Maintaining Weight Can Be Done Naturally
By: Darrell Miller | 18/08/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
Loosing weight is difficult with today's fast paced world. By eating smaller meals one can successfully cut calories, reduce hunger, control cravings while dieting.
Trace Minerals - A Little Goes a Long Way
By: Darrell Miller | 18/08/2008 | Health
Unlike macro-minerals such as calcium, which the body needs in gram amounts, trace minerals such as iron, selenium, zinc, silicon, chromium, sulfur, and copper are only needed in milligram or micrograms. However, these small quantities do not reflect the importance of trace minerals, as inadequate intake can have huge effects...
Fight Disease Safely With Natural Red Yeast Rice
By: Darrell Miller | 18/08/2008 | Health
Many natural substances that are capable of lowering blood fats and cholesterol levels that are potentially harmful have emerged. No one is suggesting that there is a magic pill that will promote healthy cholesterol levels, but nature has provided us with some specific compounds that are capable of enhancing both...
DHEA Is A Master Hormone In The Body
By: Darrell Miller | 17/08/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
As we age important key hormones levels begin to drop, one of these hormones is called DHEA. DHEA is a master hormone that the body uses to manufacture many other hormones from when needed.
How to Lift Your Mood Naturally With Vitamins
By: Darrell Miller | 17/08/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
Depression is a debilitating disease and seeking help should be the number one thought for those who think they suffer from it. Natural supplements are available that may help reduce the symptoms and help restore one to a normal life.
Self Improvement 
