They sound...ominous. Time to clear up the mystery of what, exactly, free radicals are―and learn how to combat them. “Everyone’s body generates millions of free radicals every minute,” says internist Svetlana Kogan, founder of Doctors at Trump Place, in New York City. http://www.supplementspot.com/info/health-library/details/the-lowdown-on-free-radicals

1. THE LOWDOWN ON
FREE RADICALS
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2. Free Radicals: What Are They?
 Definitions: (Wikipedia)
Free radicals are atoms or molecules containing
unpaired, single electrons
Free radicals are usually unstable (highly reactive)
toward losing or picking up an extra electron, so that all
electrons in the atom or molecule will be paired.
Free radicals can be positively charged, negatively
charged, or neutral
The Free radical often pulls an electron off a nearby
molecule, causing the affected molecule to become a
free radical itself.

3. Free Radicals: What Are They?
Image from Wikipedia

4. Free Radicals: What Are They?
 In common terms free radicals are:
often used to describe damaged cells that can be
problematic / perilous to neighboring healthy cells
often injure the cell, damaging the DNA, which creates
the seed for disease.
Are sourced from irritants, pollution, smoke, and UVA
and UVB rays, as well as normal cell processes, like cell
metabolism.
“Everyone’s body generates millions of free radicals
every minute,” Svetlana Kogan, founder of Doctors at Trump
Place, NYC.

5. Oxidation and Free Radicals
 What is oxidation?
 The process by which free radicals are formed
(http://www3.amherst.edu/~dmirwin/Reports/BetterHealth.htm)
 A chemical reaction in which there is
the loss of electrons or gain (or increase in the proportion)
of oxygen, hence, resulting in an increase in oxidation state by
a molecule, atom or ion.
(biology-online.org/dictionary/Oxidation)
 damages cell membranes and other structures including
cellular proteins, lipids and DNA.
 Oxidation can be accelerated by stress, cigarette
smoking, alcohol, sunlight, pollution and other factors.
(http://www3.amherst.edu/~dmirwin/Reports/BetterHealth.htm)

6. Effects of Free Radicals
 External, physical manifestations include:
Wrinkles, sagged and dull or dry unhealthy-looking
skin, hair, nails
Deterioration of the eye lens, which contributes to
blindness.
Inflammation of the joints (arthritis).
Skin allergies, swellings and infection, etc.
Pale skin
Accelerated spread of skin-related diseases

7. Effects of Free Radicals
 Internal effects of free radicals include:
Damage to nerve cells in the brain, which contributes to
conditions such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.
Acceleration of the ageing process.
Increased risk of coronary heart disease, since free
radicals encourage low density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol to adhere to artery walls.
Certain cancers, triggered by damaged cell DNA.
Source: http://www3.amherst.edu/~dmirwin/Reports/BetterHealth.htm

8. How Antioxidants Help Prevent Oxidation
 Antioxidants -
 Are helpful in reducing and preventing damage from free
radical reactions
 has ability to donate electrons which neutralize the free
radical without forming another. (Wikipedia)
 can lose an electron to a free radical and remain stable itself
by passing its unstable electron around the antioxidant
molecule. (Wikipedia)
 slow the process of aging by preventing free radicals
from oxidizing sensitive biological molecules or reducing the
formation of free radicals. (Wikipedia)
 are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals
and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are
damaged (rice.edu/~jenky/sports/antiox.html)

9. What Can You Do
“If a cell is damaged by free radicals, it wants to
repair itself and will if it’s stimulated,” says Chapas.
 Eat 5 servings of fruit or vegetables per day. This will ensure that
you are developing your inherent antioxidant systems and that
your diet is providing the necessary components.
 Consider a more balanced approach to exercise. Failing
that, consider supplementation.
 Look for upcoming FDA recommendations, but be wary of
advertising and media hype.
 Do not oversupplement.
Source: rice.edu/~jenky/sports/antiox.html

10. Natural Sources of Antioxidants
Source: Better Health Channel
 Allium sulphur compounds - leeks, onions and garlic.
 Anthocyanins - eggplant, grapes and berries.
 Beta-carotene - pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach
and parsley.
 Catechins - red wine and tea.
 Copper - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
 Cryptoxanthins - red capsicum, pumpkin and mangoes.
 Flavonoids - tea, green tea, citrus fruits, red wine, onion and
apples.
 Indoles - cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and
cauliflower.
 Isoflavonoids - soybeans, tofu, lentils, peas and milk.

11. Natural Sources of Antioxidants
Source: Better Health Channel
 Lignans - sesame seeds, bran, whole grains and vegetables.
 Lutein - leafy greens like spinach, and corn.
 Lycopene - tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon.
 Manganese - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
 Polyphenols - thyme and oregano.
 Selenium - seafood, offal, lean meat and whole grains.
 Vitamin C - oranges, blackcurrants, kiwi
fruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, capsicum and strawberries.
 Vitamin E - vegetable oils (such as wheatgerm
oil), avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
 Zinc - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
 Zoochemicals - red meat, offal and fish. Also derived from the
plants animals eat.

12. Products Rich in Antioxidants
Supplement Spot has a range of products that are
made from natural sources of antioxidants.
These are:
Skin – Advanced Retinol A Cream; Healthy Progesterone Cream
for Women;
Stress – Maritime Pine Bark Extract; Relora with Bacopa
Overall health – LifeSpan Complex; Maximum Beta Glucan;
Graviola; Essential Acai; Grapeseed Extract; Krill Oil; Quercetin
Please go to http://www.supplementspot.com/vitamins-supplements.html for
more information on these products.

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