Aging And Free Radicals
Until recently, the process of aging has been a mystery for both medical professionals and scientists. The process, occurring to both living and non-living organisms, has always posted many questions regarding the cycle of life. True enough, the process of decay occurring to both animate and inanimate objects, although natural and inevitable is something that was worth the study. Learning the science behind the deterioration was thought to be the key to a pool of knowledge and answers about life, living and death. However, after years of research and countless experiments, it was discovered that aging was not as mysterious as it was first perceived.
Backed by extensive scientific research, present knowledge explains to us those organic molecules known as free radicals are the causes behind rotting and aging. These unstable molecules, once inside the body, searches for other molecules to bond with, destroying the latters vigor and triggering the process of decay. Once the process starts, it ultimately leads to aging, tissue damage and delay.
Free radicals were termed as such for they are considered free because they float around until they stabilize, and radical in the sense that they are surrounded by a myriad of molecules from which they can obtain an electron. These unstable molecules existed not having an even number of electrons and therefore are in constant search for extra electron they can steal to become stable. It must be properly noted that free radicals are like thieves and react quickly to the compounds around them.
On a wider level, this perpetuation doesnt stop at the molecules. In effect, if a free radical starts the chain reaction, the tissue itself ends up as a free radical once enough molecules are affected. The snowball effect piles on and on, as the affected tissue wreaks havoc on in its nearby counterparts. Eventually, larger and larger areas are impacted.
Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the bodys immune systems cells purposefully create them to neutralize certain viruses and bacteria. Free radicals are caused by a number of factors that are part of everyday human living, hence posing a constant threat to peoples lives. According to scientists, free radicals are products of pollution and other artificial substances that enter the body. Pollution, cigarette smoking, large volume of alcohol, radiation, preservatives found in some processed food and a number of poisons found in cleaners or herbicides and other everyday household products are found to be the primary substances that expose humans to these harmful molecules.
Truth be told, the body can handle free radicals under normal conditions. Damage occurs when antioxidants, molecules that neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, are unavailable, or if the free radical production becomes excessive.
Backed by extensive scientific research, present knowledge explains to us those organic molecules known as free radicals are the causes behind rotting and aging. These unstable molecules, once inside the body, searches for other molecules to bond with, destroying the latters vigor and triggering the process of decay. Once the process starts, it ultimately leads to aging, tissue damage and delay.
Free radicals were termed as such for they are considered free because they float around until they stabilize, and radical in the sense that they are surrounded by a myriad of molecules from which they can obtain an electron. These unstable molecules existed not having an even number of electrons and therefore are in constant search for extra electron they can steal to become stable. It must be properly noted that free radicals are like thieves and react quickly to the compounds around them.
On a wider level, this perpetuation doesnt stop at the molecules. In effect, if a free radical starts the chain reaction, the tissue itself ends up as a free radical once enough molecules are affected. The snowball effect piles on and on, as the affected tissue wreaks havoc on in its nearby counterparts. Eventually, larger and larger areas are impacted.
Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the bodys immune systems cells purposefully create them to neutralize certain viruses and bacteria. Free radicals are caused by a number of factors that are part of everyday human living, hence posing a constant threat to peoples lives. According to scientists, free radicals are products of pollution and other artificial substances that enter the body. Pollution, cigarette smoking, large volume of alcohol, radiation, preservatives found in some processed food and a number of poisons found in cleaners or herbicides and other everyday household products are found to be the primary substances that expose humans to these harmful molecules.
Truth be told, the body can handle free radicals under normal conditions. Damage occurs when antioxidants, molecules that neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, are unavailable, or if the free radical production becomes excessive.