First, think of an area of your body which are
made of cells. Our cells are made of various types of molecules, and these molecules
are comprised of at least one atom. Atoms
in our body, in turn, contain at least one element (such as oxygen, carbon,
etcetera). It is the chemical bonds that
join these elements together to form the atoms and molecules. You should know that each atom in our body consists
of a nucleus, neutrons, protons, and electrons.
The electrons surround the nucleus in two “shells”: an outer shell, which
typically consists of eight electrons, and also an inner shell, consisting of
two electrons. The chemical reactions these electrons produce create the bonds
between atoms that hold the molecules together so that they remain stable in
our body.
Generally, the atom will move electrons
between its inner and outer shells as needed as per requirement, or share
electrons with other neighboring atoms, in order to maintain stability in the
body. When this happens, both atoms (the ones that are sharing electrons) are
considered stable and our body is working properly without going off track. But when an atom’s outer shell is reduced to
one electron, it essentially becomes so “desperate” to replace its electrons
that it will actually steal electrons from other atoms that are nearby. This, then creates a situation in the body
where another atom is deprived of an electron.
An atom whose weak chemical bonds result in an electron-deprived state
and that compels it to steal electrons from other atoms and destabilize them.
This results in a sort of domino effect. The harmful destabilization of cells
proceeds from one atom to another, thus destabilizing atoms and the molecules
to which they are attached. The chief danger comes when with the damage they do when they
react with important cellular components such as the DNA or the cell
membrane. The cells may function poorly
or die if there is a continuous onslaught and which ultimately leads to cancer
of the cells.
You need to know that such free radicals in
the body may be formed through natural human physiological processes as well as
from the environment but modern day lifestyle has only speeded the process of creation
of such free radicals. They are the results of diet, stress,
smoking, exercise, inflammation, and a variety of other processes.
The good news is that our body is equipped with
all the counter neutralization defense system against free radicals called the
Antioxidants.
cont'd..
