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.
The chemical bond of a cell is comprised of various types of molecules that are held together with one or more atom.
The composition of an atom is: nucleus, proton, and electrons where the sum of the protons determines the total amount of electrons that will be around the atom.
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.
When the innermost shell has two electrons, it is considered full. When the second shell is full with electrons the process starts all over again.
The most important thing in determining the structural characteristic of an atom is the number of electrons in the outermost 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:
Adding or dropping electrons that will either fill or empty the atom’s 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.
The ideal way free radicals attack is by locating the nearest molecule they can find that has achieved maximum stability and start stealing electrons. Once a molecule is attacked, it too becomes a free radical. This process creates a chain reaction that continues until it causes cells to become damaged.
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.
Typically, the body is able to handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Most importantly is that free radical damage accumulates with age.
