To really grasp what a free radical is, you must look at at it from a chemical level of cells and molecules. Here’s a quick chemistry lesson: The chemical composite of the human body is comprised of different types of cells.
Molecules are atoms of one or more elements that are joined by a chemical bond. Cells are made up of many different molecules.
Atoms consist of a nucleus, neutrons, protons and electrons. The number of protons (positively charged particles) in the atoms nucleus determines the number of electrons (negatively charged particles) surrounding the 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 innermost shell is full when it has two electrons. When the first shell is full, electrons begin to fill the second shell. When the second shell has eight electrons, it is full.
The single most important feature in determining the chemical behavior of an atom is how many electrons are contained in the outer shell.
An atom that has a full outer shell does not enter in chemical reactions. Atoms seek to reach a state of maximum stability by one of the following:
Loose or pick up electrons to either empty or fill the outer shell
Share electrons with other atoms to complete the outer shell
Atoms regularly complete their outer shells by sharing electrons with other atoms. Sharing electrons allows the atoms that are bound together to satisfy the conditions of maximum stability for the molecule.
Usually when a split occurs, it never leaves the molecule with an odd, unpaired set of electrons. However, when bond does split, free radicals are created–they tend to move and react quickly to other compounds as they begin to attempt to capture as many electrons as they can 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 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 usually can defend free radicals, however when antioxidants are unavailable or the production of free radicals becomes too much, damage can occur. The most important thing to remember here is that free radical damage hastens the aging process.
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