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Sunday 15 April 2012

Free Radicals Versus Anti-Oxidants


Free Radicals

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are molecules and atoms that have an unpaired electron in an outer shell. Free radicals are responsible for our aging as well as some tissue damage and potentially some diseases. It appears true that some damage caused by free radicals cannot be avoided; some damage can be protected against. The main danger of free radicals appears to be when they react with important cellular components such as DNA.

How do we deal with them?

Essentially the way to deal with free radicals is by consuming anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants can safely interact with free radicals and stop them from causing negative reactions and damage within the body. Vitamins A, C and E as well as Beta-carotene are thought to be the most important with regards to neutralising free radicals.

As the body does not produce anti-oxidants, they must come from the diet. Foods that tend to be high in anti-oxidants are mainly fruits and vegetables, and it is particularly the vitamins in these fruits and vegetables that are the key.

5 comments:

  1. I'm glad that my favorite fruits have plenty of antioxidants... it makes staying healthy a breeze!

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    Replies
    1. Simple!! Yea you're right though. Just by eating the right things, fruits and veg, we'll be ok!!

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  2. Indeed, fruits and vegetables are rich in anti-oxidants.

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