Protect Your Cells From Free Radicals

Free radicals can best be explained by looking at them from a cellular level and all the various kinds of cells that the human body has.

The chemical bond of a cell is comprised of various types of molecules that are held together with one or more atom.

Electrons are responsible for the chemical reactions that take place inside the atom as well as the substance that holds the atom together to form molecules. Electrons orbit the atom in one or more shells.

The role of the electrons is to manage chemical reactions that occur inside the atom as well as the substances that makes the atoms form molecules. Much like planets, electrons revolve around the atom in one or more shells.

The most important thing in determining the structural characteristic of an atom is the number of electrons in the outermost shell.

The most important thing in determining the structural characteristic of an atom is the number of electrons in the outermost shell.

A substance that has a full outer shell tends not to enter in chemical reactions. Ultimately, atoms seek to reach a state of maximum stability, an atom will try to fill its outer shell by:

Adding or dropping electrons that will either fill or empty the atom’s shell

Attaching to other atoms in a attempt to share electrons to have a complete outer shell

The most common way atoms achieve stability is with sharing electrons with other atoms. In this way the atom is able to achieve maximum stability.

The most common way free radicals attack is by finding the closest molecule that is stable and from there they begin the process of stealing electrons. When the molecule that is attacked starts losing the electrons, it becomes a free radical as well. When this process begins, it creates a chain reaction in which the end result is a disruption of a living cell.

Free radicals like to attack by locating the closest cell that has maximum stability and begins to steal electrons. Eventually these attacked molecules become free radicals themselves. The process will continue until eventually cellular damage occurs.

Common times when free radicals occur are during metabolism as well as when the body is fighting off bacteria or viruses. Pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, and pesticides are other times when free radicals can occur.

Most of the time the body is able to fight off free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable or if there are too many free radicals, cellular damage can occur. As you get older free radical damage gets more progressive.