Attack of the Free RadicalNo I am not talking about some new political party. A free radical (from a health perspective) is a very unstable and reactive oxygen molecule which attacks your healthy cells and DNA. The effects of these radicals are disease, degeneration, and premature aging. These molecules are created by environmental toxins, your immune system, stress, over-exercise, hyperactivity, and even normal metabolic processes in your body. If you live in any industrialized nation you know you are being bombarded by thousands of free radicals everyday; even in the mountains. Your exposure is increased if you work around chemicals, paints, computers or any electronic devices. Even the natural functioning of your immune system creates radicals so forget that bubble you were planning to move into. Your health is still at risk. Although, under ideal conditions, your body would be able to deal with them naturally, your ever increasing exposure in the environment means your body is fighting a losing battle. Left unchecked, they will react with other compounds forming new radicals in a chain reaction. Increased RiskIf your health is already jeopardized you may be placed at greater risk. Damage can be increased if you suffer from conditions such as:
Fortunately, science has shown us a natural enemy which can be used to inactivate or destroy these radicals before they can do too much harm. Antioxidants are found in many of our foods although these days food nutrition has been greatly depleted and supplementation is now needed to “top up” our reserves. We now know, without a doubt, supplementing with antioxidants gives your body the ammunition it needs to fight back against radicals, support immune function, fight premature aging, and promote overall health.
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