What Are Free Radicals and Antioxidants?

Free Radicals Are Biological Bullies; Antioxidants
Are Cellular Superheroes
What Are Free Radicals and Antioxidants?
Over the past decade or so, more and more attention has focused upon
free radicals or oxidants and their counterparts, antioxidants. Once we
understand free radicals, it is easy to appreciate the importance of nutri-
ents associated with antioxidant activities of vitamins and minerals such
as vitamins C and E and selenium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc as
well as other nutrients such as lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
   A free radical is a substance that interacts with other molecules by
taking an electron from them or by forcing an electron upon them. In
most cases it is the former event. You will remember that earlier we called
the process of losing an electron oxidation and the process of gaining an
electron reduction. The major difference between proper oxidation and
reduction and the damaging activity of free radicals is a matter of accept-
ability and stability of the molecules that free radicals interact with. Since
free radicals often interact with molecules that do not want to give up an
electron, free radicals can be viewed as biological bullies. They will inter-
act with other molecules without regard for the stability of these mol-
ecules. Typically, free-radical substances include oxygen, for example:
     superoxide (O2−)
•
•    hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
     hydroxyl radicals (OH−)
•
One obvious feature of the free radicals just listed is that they closely
resemble the oxygen (O2) we breathe—so how abnormal could they be?
NoFlam - A Natural Anti-arthritic Remedy Glucolo - An Effective Anti-diabetic formula