Free radicals are very common in our day to day life - so common that they often arise as a result of our own, normal metabolic processes.
Toxic fumes, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, air pollution, alcohol, cigarettes, intense exercise, saturated fats, some medications, pesticides ...even our own immune system generates free radicals (in this case, to fight infections).
For example, when free radicals take the electron they need from collagen tissue cells of the skin, they stimulate aging. It’s precisely at this moment when we begin to complain about wrinkles, and dry skin.
Free radicals are formed when atoms or molecules gain or lose electrons. They can also neutralize the same free radicals that our body produces to carry out various jobs. They are fast in their action, yet extremely harmful in a matter of microseconds.
For example, when free radicals take the electron they need from collagen tissue cells of the skin, they stimulate aging. It’s precisely at this moment when we begin to complain about wrinkles, and dry skin.
Every single day, our organism is fighting a battle against free radicals. So how can we help our own organism to fight back even stronger?
Well, the most effective way that we can protect our body against free radicals is the consumption of antioxidants - enough to keep the immune system with the necessary response capacity against external aggressions such as: toxic fumes, cigarette, alcohol, and all of the other factors mentioned above. Our lifestyle and habits can ultimately define the threat that we can suffer from the attack of free radicals.
In other words, choose a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, little exposure to toxins, zero cigarettes, very little alcohol and a daily supplementation with the master antioxidant, Glutathione.
References:
E Pigeolet, P Corbisier, A Houbion, D Lambert… - Mechanisms of ageing …, 1990 - Elsevier
M Bernier, DJ Hearse, AS Manning - Circulation research, 1986 - Am Heart Assoc
Free radicals, antioxidants, and nutrition
YZ Fang, S Yang, G Wu - Nutrition, 2002 - Elsevier
Free radicals, metals and antioxidants in oxidative stress-induced cancer
M Valko, CJ Rhodes, J Moncol, MM Izakovic… - Chemico-biological …, 2006 - Elsevier
The pecking order of free radicals and antioxidants: lipid peroxidation, α-tocopherol, and ascorbate
GR Buettner - Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 1993 - Elsevier