Free Radicals

Fritz Ronald F. Garcia December 7, 2012

1. Free radicals are unstable organic molecules. Thus, they look to bond with other molecules and destroy them. They are responsible for aging, tissue damage, and other diseases.

Beneficial uses to the body

* Essential in synthesis of energy and important molecules

* Involved in improving the immune system

* Terminate the existence of harmful foreign invaders in our body

2. a. Internal sources of Free Radicals

* Presence of toxic heavy metals in the body especially those caught up in the cellular tissues

* During normal metabolism of fat, carbohydrates and proteins

* Low blood supply which generally occurs during heart attacks and strokes

* Phagocytes and mitochondria

b. External Sources of Free Radicals

* Cigarette smoke

* Radiation

* UV light

* Environmental contaminants (pollution)

3. Damages caused by Free Radicals

* Cancer

* Atherosclerosis

* Tumor formation

* Endothelial cell injury

4. Anti-Free Radical Dietary Recommendations

* Eat foods rich in vitamins ( A, C, E )

* Foods rich in carotenoids like carrots, tomatoes, mangoes, spinach

* Foods rich in polyphenolic flavonoids like berrie, green tea, apples

Cited Sources

Bagchi, K. & S. Puri, (1998). Free radicals and oxidants in health and disease. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, Vol. 4(No.2), 10. December 6, 2012 from http://applications.emro.who.int/emhj/0402/emhj_1998_4_2_350_360.pdf

“ Free Radicals are Both Beneficial and Harmful for the Body”. www.doctorozshow.net . December 6, 2012. < http://www.doctorozshow.net/free-radicals-are-both-beneficial-and-harmful-for-the-body.html >

Mithra, S. “What Are Free Radicals?”. www.wisegeek.org . December 6, 2012.

< http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-free-radicals.htm>