FREE RADICALS AND ANTI-OXIDANTS

Free radicals are molecules in which an electron is lost from our cells and they try to rectify the loss by reacting with other molecules. The free radicals are capable of causing considerable damage to our system/cells, which in turn have an adverse impact on the immune system, which protects us from various viruses. If immune system is impairs naturally various types of diseases occur.

The types of free radicals are classified as Super oxide, Hydroxyl and Peroxide. Some of the reasons for formation of free radicals are exposure to toxic chemicals, radiations and also sometimes due to the use of stored fat molecules for energy.

Free radicals can also be called as oxidative damage. This oxidative damage can be counter attacked by anti-oxidants. Anti oxidants are certain types of compounds that inhibits chemical reactions with oxygen. These anti oxidants can provide the loss of electron in the cells. While donating an electron the anti oxidant itself will not get spoiled by its loss of electron. This is because antioxidant nutrients are stable in both forms.

Natural anti oxidants are retinoid (Vitamin A), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and Vitamin E. Simple examples of anti oxidants are citrus fruits, vegetables-which have dark orange color such as carrot, which contains beta carotene, dark green colored vegetables too have good amount of antioxidants.

Average human beings needs to get 3000-5000 units of ORAC. ORAC is Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, which is a measure of anti oxidant power. Unfortunately, now we are not getting even half of the required ORAC, which is the reason for the increasing variety of diseases like cancer, heart diseases and immune deficiency diseases.

Now, a revolution should take place to prevent such diseases by making people aware of the role of antioxidants. One of the ways to get more antioxidants is to go for organic food. Also quite a number of supplements of antioxidants are also available in the natural form, like green tea, grape seed extracts, aloe Vera and the like.

Tags & Keywords : modern diseases, cause, antioxidants