Anti-oxidants and Free Radicals
Oxidation
Simply put, an anti-oxidant is a molecule that interfers with the oxidation process of other molecules. An every day example of oxidation is the rust on iron and the "patina" on copper that appears when the metals have been in contact with the air for a while. In these cases, oxidation comes from the effect of oxygen on iron and copper molecules.
You can see the same effects of oxidation when you leave a piece of apple or banana out for a while: they turn brown and start to "spoil". In the case of metals, we can apply a barrier such as paint or polyurethand to keep the oxidation from occuring. With fruit--as you may know--lemon juice (citric acid is a well known preservative) can do the trick.
In living organisms, this process of oxidation occurs when substances known as free radicals attack the body's cells.
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are organic molecules responsible for the effects of aging, such as tissue damage to skin and organs.
You could say that everything seeks stability, and this process starts at the atomic* level. Free radicals are unstable (they have an uneven number of electrons) and the way they seek stability is by traveling (they're "free") throughout the body in search of another molecule from which they can "steal" the electron needed to stabilize themselves. The molecule from which the free radical has removed the electron has now become unstable, thereby becoming a free radical itself. This chain reaction is what causes cell destruction.
Free radicals are formed naturally as part of an animal or plant's metabolic processes, but they are also created by environmental factors such as pollution and cigarette smoke. A healthy organism produces a certain amount of anti-oxidants, but factors such as stress, pollutants and illness tax the body's immune system, compromising its ability to neutralize the invaders.
By eating foods rich in anti-oxidants or taking supplements in the form of vitamins or drinks you can boost your body's defense system and slow down the destructive processes of disease and aging.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are dietary compounds that interrupt or halt the damage done to cells & organs by free radicals. Some examples of antioxdants are:
- Beta-carotene - found in pumpkin, apricots, herbs like parsley, and--of course--carrots
- Flavonoids - found in tea, citrus fruit, & red wine
- Vitamin C - citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries
- Isoflavanoids - lentils, peas, soybean
- Anthocyanins - berries, grapes, eggplant
- vitamin E - avocados, nuts, whole grains
- Sulphur compounds - onions, garlic, leeks
*Atomic Structure 101: an atom consists of a center (nucleus) composed of particle which are neutrally charged (neutrons) and positively charged (protons). Orbiting around the nucleus are a number of negatively charged particles called electrons. The number of particles in each atom determines its identity.
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