Ganoderma
Where Does Free Radicals Come From?
Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that have at least
one unpaired electron, which makes them highly reactive.
Free
radicals promote beneficial oxidation that produces energy and
kills bacterial invaders. In excess, however, they produce harmful
oxidation that can damage cell membranes and cell contents.
Where does Free Radicals Come From?
Endurance exercise can increase oxygen utilization from 10 to 20
times over the resting state. This greatly increases the generation
of free radicals, prompting concern about enhanced damage to
muscles and other tissues.
So the question now is, how effectively
can athletes defend against the increased free radicals resulting
from exercise? Do athletes need to take extra antioxidants?
When an oxygen molecule (O2) becomes electrically charged or
"radicalized" it tries to steal electrons from other molecules,
causing damage to the DNA and other molecules. Over time, such
damage may become irreversible and lead to disease including
cancer. Antioxidants are often described as "mopping up" free
radicals, meaning they neutralize the electrical charge and prevent
the free radical from taking electrons from other molecules.
Several interesting concepts have emerged from these types of
experimental studies.
Regular physical exercise enhances the
antioxidant defense system and protects against exercise induced
free radical damage. This is an important finding because it shows
how smart the body is about adapting to the demands of exercise.
These changes occur slowly over time and appear to parallel other
adaptations to exercise.
What does Antioxidants Do?
Antioxidants play the housekeeper's role, "mopping up" free
radicals before they get a chance to do harm in your body.
Researchers have postulated that antioxidants prevent the possible
carcinogenic effects of oxidation. Despite numerous studies carried
out on the role of antioxidants in cancer and heart disease
prevention, the jury is still out as to which groups of
people, if any, benefit from
taking antioxidant supplements.
Considerable evidence now suggests that oxidants are involved in
the development and clinical expression of coronary heart disease
and that antioxidants may contribute to disease resistance.
We urge you to find out more about
Antioxidants!
Ganoderma Catalogue:
Health &
Fitness
Title: Where Does Free Radicals Come From? By: Kacey C.
Hall
.