Free Radicals-Description, Causes, & Effects
A very basic chemistry lesson
The human body is made up of cells. Cells are made up of molecules, and molecules are made up of atoms. Atoms contain the following components:
- a nucleus-the center of the atom
- protons-positively-charged particles in the nucleus
- neutrons-particles in the nucleus that have no charge
- electrons-negatively-charged particles circling the nucleus in layers called shells
Electrons always travel in pairs-or at least they prefer to travel that way. Occasionally, though, an atom or a group of atoms (a molecule) may lose one electron. When this happens, the atom or molecule becomes a free radical.
Like the human body in general, atoms prefer stability. An atom that's missing an electron will steal one from the nearest stable atom-turning that atom into a free radical. As you can probably imagine, this is the start of a chain reaction.
What causes free radicals?
Free radicals are created as a result of the process of oxidation, when a substance combines with oxygen. This is part of the body's normal metabolism, and does increase with age. Free radicals can also be created by the immune system to help destroy bacteria and viruses during an infection. And they can form as a result of exposure to certain chemicals, environmental toxins like pollution and radiation, and cigarette smoke.
Under normal circumstances the body can easily rid itself of free radicals. But problems can occur if the number of free radicals increases beyond the body's ability to neutralize or destroy them.
The dangers of free radicals
At the molecular level, the chain reaction of electron "theft" can affect the cell membrane (the outer covering of the cell) by making it either too vulnerable or too resistant to outside influences. It can also damage the cell's DNA, causing the cell to malfunction or reproduce abnormally.
At the level of the entire body, free radicals can cause LDL ("bad") cholesterol in the blood to stick to the walls of the blood vessels, resulting in atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart disease. They can damage parts of the eye, resulting in cataracts or macular degeneration (a progressive condition leading to blindness). And if they affect cell reproduction, they can cause different forms of cancer.
It's easy to imagine that the causes of free radicals are all around us, and to wonder what damage they're doing even now. Fortunately, nature has provided us with substances that can reduce our levels of free radicals. These substances are called antioxidants.
Published by Meg Adamik
Meg Adamik's main interest is crafting, especially fiber crafts and jewelry making. She also writes about what she knows, like traditional and alternative medicine, and what she believes in, like ecological... View profile
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- Free radicals are created as a result of oxidation-when a substance combines with oxygen.
- Free radicals can form from exposure to chemicals and environmental toxins.
- Free radical buildup can damage the cell's membrane or its DNA.