Free Radicals...The Destructive Force In Our Bodies

Free radicals (FR) are unstable and highly reactive molecules which cause oxidative damage in our bodies.

To illustrate the point, it's similar to leaving a lump of iron in a glass of water, eventually it will rust up, and that's exactly what oxidative stress does to our bodies. These molecules are unstable because they are missing an electron. So, to try and stabilise themselves, they steal electrons from any molecule that comes into contact with them. Quite a battle going on there!

Success...our free-radical molecule is now balanced, all is ok.......Hmmmm, not quite!

You see, the molecule that has been robbed now mutates into a new free-radical.... and so the whole process begins again. Fact...up to a 100,000 free-radical molecules can be created in our bodies within a few seconds (scary stuff)!

Oxidants play many normal roles in our body, it's only their overproduction (or failure of antioxidant defenses) that result in harmful oxidative stress (i.e disease).

New research has shown oxidative damage can be the trigger for a variety of serious and often deadly diseases including...

• Breast Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Parkinsons Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Alzheimers Disease
• Heart Disease and Strokes
• Diabetes

The majority of cancers are probably caused by free-radical damage to key molecules and delicate genetic materials (DNA).

We are open to free-radicals from our environment through...

• Pollution
• Radiation
• Unhealthy Foods
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Cigarette Smoke
• UV Light

The question is do we have any control over free radical production?

Enter Antioxidants, our knights in shining armour, known affectionately as free-radical scavengers. They seek the enemy out, donate the missing electrons and put the brakes on the damaging oxidative chain reaction.

There are many different types of free-radicals in the body, so a wide range of antioxidants are necessary to protect against them.

The most powerful and dangerous of the free-radical is called Superoxide. As we know, free-radicals need only one electron from a stable molecule to stabilise itself. But a greedy superoxide free radical requires as many as three electrons to balance itself.

Black seed oil, apparently, acts as a potent free-radical scavenger of superoxide.

So now you understand and can clearly see how vital antioxidants are in controlling free-radicals.

Check a 'rain check' your current diet, does it consist of food high in antioxidants? If it does then brilliant, keep it up, but if not then you are lacking in those crucial, life saving antioxidants. A diet change is in order..and fast!

Here are the 5 primary free radicals:

Peroxyl

The Peroxyl radical is the most commonly measured and the first free adical measured by an ORAC test. However, just because it was first, does not mean it is more important than the other primary radicals. Peroxyl ORAC is a representation of antioxidant capacity; it does not measure complete or comprehensive antioxidant capacity. The ability to quench peroxyl is a meaningful part of the total antioxidant picture, but it is just a part; measurement of comprehensive antioxidant capacity must include the other primary radicals as well.

Hydroxyl

Hydroxyl is highly reactive and cannot be eliminated by our body’s own antioxidant defenses. It can damage virtually all types of macromolecules, such as, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, and amino acids. In the skin, hydroxyl radicals are created by UV exposure. We need to ingest antioxidants that quench hydroxyl in order to protect against this harmful radical. Hydroxyl is measured by the HORAC test.

Peroxynitrite

Peroxynitrite is particularly harmful to proteins. It has been implicated in the development of various health issues including inflammation. In the skin, peroxynitrite contributes to the breakdown of vital proteins, such as collagen. It is measured by the NORAC test.

Superoxide Anion

Superoxide anion is a precursor of all other reactive oxygen species. Sometimes referred to as “the mother of free radicals”, it is highly toxic and contributes to lipid (fat) and DNA damage. Antioxidants that scavenge superoxide anion also help prevent the formation of radicals such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl. Superoxide anion has been linked to hypertension and cardiovascular damage. It is measured by the SORAC test.

Singlet Oxygen

In the skin, singlet oxygen is generated by UV. Inside our bodies it is linked to the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and poor cardiovascular health. Singlet oxygen is highly unstable and durable. Carotenoids are very effective at scavenging singlet oxygen. It is measured by the SOAC test.