Free Radicals - Destructive Scavengers and the Vital Role Antioxidants Play

Free Radicals - Destructive Scavengers and the Vital Role
Antioxidants Play by Carina MacInnes

This natural process results in free radicals, the same way driving to work in your car
creates exhaust fumes. Some free radicals are natural byproducts of the ongoing
workings of the body. Some are from environmental factors, such as pollution,
radiation, and cigarette smoke.

A free radical is simply a molecule that is missing an electron. As soon as a molecule
loses one of its attached electrons, it becomes unstable and seeks to re-stabilize
itself by stealing an electron from the nearest molecule. This causes the attacked
molecule to then become a free radical, and starts a chain reaction. Ultimately as the
process continues this can lead to cell damage.

Free radicals become extremely damaging to the body as they steal electrons from
your cells. They begin to spread like a wildfire through the years if your body does not
have enough antioxidants to keep them in check. They can attack cell walls, get
inside the cell, and cause damage to the DNA. This leads to cancer. Cancer is defined
as a degenerative stress condition, and we can understand this better when we
understand the role free radicals play.

The brain is the most active part of the body. It uses the most energy, and therefore
is subject to bombardment with the most free radicals. The significance of this is not
only that we feel negative effects in our mind - such as feeling tired and muddled - but
also because brain is very important in its control of so many of the vital workings of
our bodies.

When a free radical attacks, it can get into the cell and cause the mitochondria, the
powerhouse of the cell, to die or cease to function fully. This can disrupt one of a
multitude of processes. A dead or poorly functioning mitochondria in a cell can disrupt
or slow down neuronal firing. Mental illness is largely due to imbalances in the
neuronal processes of our natural brain chemistry. A poorly working or dead
mitochondria can prevent certain natural functions from working, causing symptoms
like hormonal imbalance.

Untreated, the damage from free radicals accumulates with age. They are the cause
of many degenerative diseases, and are associated with many of the signs of the
aging process.

Antioxidants are molecules loaded with extra free electrons. When we have enough
antioxidants the free radicals get their electrons from the antioxidants in our body,
rather than stealing them from our cells.

The body is naturally built to handle free radicals. Antioxidants are found in the
vitamins A, C and E in the fruits and vegetables we eat. However even eating the 5-8
recommended servings a day, or using supplements still often does not do enough to
combat the massive free radical damage.

Antioxidants from Vitamins E, C, and A actually pale in comparison to the
phytonutrient antioxidants such as those found in red wine and blueberries. This is the
reason for the French paradox, why it is being recommended to drink wine, eat
chocolate, and drink green tea. They provide better sources of antioxidants.

There is an even better source: the newly discovered acai berry, of the Brazilian
rainforest. It provides antioxidants in strengths 33 times more powerful than red
wine. It floods the body with massive amounts of antioxidants and other essential
nutrients. The acai berry is the number one ingredient for anti-aging recommended by
Dr. Nicholas Perricone, in his book the Perricone Promise.

The acai berry can be best added to the diet in liquid form. A small dose of several
ounces daily will flood the body with the vital antioxidants it needs. The acai berry is
the best way to add to your diet the most powerful antioxidants combating free
radical damage.

About The Author

Carina MacInnes is a writer and entrepreneur who chooses for her daily antioxidant
supplement a powerful nutrient packed juice containing vital amounts of the acai
berry. Try it yourself: - For information on how to make a living
distributing this top-quality product, visit http://imagineacai.com.

Several years ago, it was all over
the news. Free radicals were
damaging - we all had them, and
antioxidants were the solution.
But what role really do free
radicals play in damaging the
body, and how are we supposed
to best get rid of them? How do
antioxidants work and what is
the best way of adding them to
our diet?

24 hours a day, while the body is
constantly working, cells are
metabolizing and creating energy
as they carry out their tasks.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.