Free Radicals and How They Affect the Human Body
The human body is comprised of various kinds of cells and by looking at the body from this perspective is the best way to comprehend what free radicals are.
Cells are comprised of various types of molecules and these molecules consist of one or more atoms of one or more elements held together by a chemical bond.
Atoms are comprised of protons, neutrons, and electrons whereby the total amount of protons that are in the nucleus determine how many electrons will surround them.
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.
A atom is considered full when two electrons occupy the innermost layer. When the second layer is filled with electrons, the process starts all over again
The most important structural characteristic of an atom for determining its chemical behavior is the number of electrons in its outer shell.
Maximum stability is reached when the atom has a full outer shell. This is the ideal condition every atom seeks to attain and is achieved by the following conditions:
Gaining or losing electrons to either fill or empty its outer shell
Bonding together with other atoms and sharing electrons to complete the outer most shell
Atoms very frequently finish this outer shell by sharing electrons with other atoms. This allows the conditions to be satisfied for what is needed to the atom to sustain maximum stability of the molecule.
Frequently, the bonds remain in tact so that the atoms do not become unpaired. However, when this does occur the highly unstable free radicals are formed and they react quickly to obtain their own stability.
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.
Free radicals will frequently arrive during metabolism and sometimes the body will even produce them to fight off viruses and bacteria. Free radicals also come from pollution such as radiation, cigarette smoke, and pesticides.
The body is usually able to fight off free radicals unless it’s empty of antioxidants or free radicals production accumulates too much, damage can occur. The older you get the more free radical damage occurs.