FREE RADICALS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE IS ALMOST EVERY BODY SYSTEM
Dementia, or memory loss, has been related to plaque formation and damage from free radicals to brain cells. Dental caries, kidney disease, vision (macular degeneration), arthritis, skin damage, and even aging can be related to free-radical damage. Aging has been associated with free-radical formation as well as declining cellular energy production and impaired immune cells. Chronic illnesses are directly impacted by our diet—both by what bad foods we eat and the right types of foods to counteract the bad.
HOW DOES THE BODY FIGHT FREE RADICALS?
The body has some natural defenses against damage from free radicals. The body is constantly trying to balance oxidative stress with antioxidants. One of the defenses is the body’s natural reserve of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and enzyme systems (a complex system of reactions the body does to counteract the free radicals). Antioxidants are compounds that protect other cells (lipids, proteins, DNA) from damage from free radicals. Antioxidants donate an electron to the free radical and convert it to a harmless molecule. Antioxidants also chelate metal ions which also damage the body. The body can only obtain antioxidants from eating them in foods or supplements. However, many artificially produced supplements have not been shown to be effective, so it is important to obtain antioxidants from the foods we eat. It appears that antioxidants in food can be metabolized and used by the body while most of the antioxidant tablets or supplements are just passed through the body without being used.
The body can make some antioxidants like gluthathione, uric acid, coenzyme Q-10, and lipoic acid. Most other antioxidants are found in our diet, like vitamins C, E, and selenium, as well as phytonutrients.
Our interest is in phytonutrients, which are neither vitamins nor minerals but come from plants and have numerous health-enhancing effects. Many phytonutrients are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. These phytonutrients are very important to us in this discussion. It is important to remember that many vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are also antioxidants.
