Are Free Radicals Attacking Your Cells?

Do you realize that even as you read this article the cells in your body are being attacked by free radicals? This may sound alarming, but it is the absolute truth. In any given moment millions of your body's cells are being harmed by free radicals.

Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are missing one electron. They seek out other molecules in your body and steal the electron they are missing from that molecule. This process results in the injury and eventual death of the cell the free radical came into contact with. Now multiply this process times a billion and you see the danger it poses to your body.

Your body can only be as healthy as the sum of its cells. If many of your body's cells are unhealthy and dying from free radical attacks then your overall health and vitality will be drastically lowered. The New York Times wrote an article stating that more than 60 serious diseases can be directly traced back to free radicals. Some of these include heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.

Free radicals come from more sources than you can imagine and are becoming ever more rampant do to increased pollution. The body also produces its own free radicals from its normal metabolic functions. This means that even if you lived in a bubble you would not be able to escape the harm of free radicals. Free radicals originating outside the body are called exogenous, and free radicals manufactured in your body are called endogenous. Both must be contended with if you want vibrant health.

The good news is that free radicals are no problem if your body is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants contain an extra molecule, which a free radical can steal, thereby neutralizing the free radical, making it harmless. The antioxidant can only neutralize a free radical once. After its extra molecule has been taken, it no longer has the ability to stop any more free radicals. This fact shows the great importance of constantly replenishing your body's supply of antioxidants. The following list names some of the benefits you will receive from proper amounts of antioxidants.

· Less risk of heart disease
· Fewer allergic reactions
· Relief from arthritis pain
· Reduction in facial wrinkles
· Much less chance for developing cancer
· Improvement in diabetes cases
· Sharper, clearer brain function
· Overall better health and vitality

This shows how antioxidants can literally make or break your health. If you're interested in the antioxidant content of many supplements and foods, read my article ORAC Score and Antioxidants Explained. It gives a thorough breakdown about how antioxidants are measured and how different foods and supplements are not created equal.