Free Radicals
Free radicals, the oxidants in the human bodies
Free radicals are produced in our bodies when the foods we eat are converted to the energy we rely on. Factors from the environment can also trigger the generation of free radicals.
Energy sources and environmental substances can add to or accelerate the production of free radicals within the body. For example, exposure to excessive sunlight, smoke, heavy metals, ozone, asbestos, other toxic chemicals, and ionizing radiation increases the number of free radicals in the body.
These factors trigger the formation of free radicals in the body. Excessive exposure to environmental sources of free radicals can contribute to some related diseases by overwhelming the body's detoxifying systems to eliminate excess free radicals and repair the oxidative damage caused by free radicals.​​​
Oxidative Stress caused by free radicals
​​Free radicals can cause oxidative Stress in the body. Oxidative Stress refers to an imbalance in any cell, tissue, or organ between the amount of free radicals and the capabilities of the detoxifying and repair systems in the body. Free radicals can attack body cells and tissues. However, our bodies can repair these damages when the number of free radicals is under reasonable control within the body's self-defense capabilities. On the other hand, if the free radical-induced damage is left unrepaired, the damage caused by free radical attacks can impair lipids, proteins, RNA, and DNA in cells, leading to inflammations and diseases.
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