|
A Free Radical is a molecule that has lost an Electron and is therefore "unpaired". The "unpaired" molecule "steals" the missing Electron from any nearby molecule leading to the creation of more Free Radicals and initiating a subsequent chain reaction. Two Free Radicals can terminate their own chain reaction by combining.
Also known as pro-oxidants, reactive oxygen toxic species or ROTS.
Essential Biological Functions of Free Radicals:
- Free Radicals secreted by cells of the Immune System can lyse (destroy) Cancer cells
- Free Radicals are an essential component of the oxidation process that is responsible for the production of Energy within the body. Most of the Free Radicals generated during Energy production are short-lived intermediates which do no harm - their short life is expended in the process of oxidation
Unfortunately, the body's Energy production process is 2% - 5% inefficient and some Free Radicals escape to cause harm in other parts of the body.
Even whilst inactive, every person produces millions of Free Radicals every second.
Toxic Effects of Non-Energy Producing Free Radicals:
- may accelerate the ageing process
- may cause abnormal Blood Clotting
- may rupture Red Blood Cells
- damage caused may easily kill cells
- may increase the risk of Gallstones
- may be the underlying cause of Pancreatitis
- may be an underlying cause of Crohn's Disease
- may cause Cataracts
- may cause Cancer-causing mutations to the body's DNA
- are generated during Inlfammation
- damage caused is a common thread in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- may initiate Muscular Atrophy
- may be implicated in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- may be an underlying cause of Alzheimer's Disease
- may damage the Brain
- may be an underlying cause of Dementia
- may interfere with learning ability
- can cause memory impairment
- may be an underlying cause of Multiple Sclerosis
- involved in the generation of Parkinson's Disease
- major cause of Emphysema
- one of the causes of Male Infertility
Sources of Free Radicals:
- Acetaldehyde (a by-product of Alcohol metabolism)
- simple sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose)
- light
- microwaves
- sunlight
- UV-B Ultra-Violet Radiation
- Hydrocarbons
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen Oxides
- Peroxides
- air conditioning
- production of Free Radicals increases in proportion to the intensity of exercise
- excessive consumption of dietary fats
- aluminium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, iodine
- anti-cancer pharmaceutical drugs
- tobacco
Substances and Factors that Protect from Free Radical Damage:
Types of Free Radicals:
;
- Alkoxyl
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Hydroxyl
- Peroxyl
- Peroxynitrite
- Phenoxyl
- Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid
- Semiquinone
- Singlet Oxygen
- Sulfoxide
- Superoxide
- Tocopheroxyl
|
