| Most of us probably remember the term "free | | | | Desperate and unstable, free radicals do |
| radicals" from our high school chemistry class, a | | | | whatever it takes to capture the electron they |
| class we used more as a way to pass notes to | | | | need to stabilize themselves. This desperation and |
| our friends and less as a way to learn about the | | | | instability causes free radicals to attack nearby |
| ins and outs of the atom. While free radicals may | | | | molecules. If the molecule under attack loses an |
| not have been important to us in our teenage | | | | electron, it becomes a free radical and repeats |
| years, most people find that when age increases, | | | | the process. A domino effect then begins and the |
| our vigilance for personal health must increase as | | | | living cell is harmed. |
| well. Suddenly, free radicals can be costly and turn | | | | Every person has free radicals in their system; |
| into something we must care about. | | | | there is really no way around them. Some are |
| Before one can truly understand what a free | | | | part of our metabolism and some are used as |
| radical is and how it works, a bit of a chemistry | | | | defense mechanisms by our immune system. But, |
| lesson must take place. Don't worry, this won't | | | | factors that lie outside the body - such as |
| hurt a bit. | | | | pesticides, tobacco smoke, gasoline fumes, and air |
| A variety of different living cells make up the | | | | pollution - can create free radicals as well. This is |
| human body. These cells are made up of | | | | where anti-oxidants become particularly important. |
| molecules and these molecules are made up of | | | | In a person who has ample anti-oxidants, free |
| atoms. Atoms are made up of a nucleus, | | | | radicals are normally fought off and don't leave |
| neutrons, protons, and electrons. The number of | | | | any permanent damage. In those who don't have |
| protons, which are positively charged, dictate the | | | | anti-oxidants to spare, however, free radicals can |
| number of electrons, which are negatively | | | | cause drastic harm to a person's health.. Viruses, |
| charged. The electrons - yes, even with their | | | | infections, and diseases can ensue when the free |
| negative attitude - are particularly important: they | | | | radicals have no opposition. |
| orbit around the atom, cause chemical reactions, | | | | Luckily, anti-oxidants are leading the free radical |
| and bond atoms together to forms molecules | | | | counter movement. They lead it by donating their |
| (which ultimately form cells). | | | | electrons and stopping free radicals from needing |
| Electrons travel around the atom in shells. The | | | | to attack. When the anti-oxidant donates an |
| inner shell is considered full when it has two | | | | electron, they don't become free radicals simply |
| electrons; after two, the electrons begin to fill the | | | | because they have the ability to remain stable in |
| other shells. The outer shell - and how many | | | | a variety of states. |
| electrons are in it - is the biggest factor in | | | | Essentially, anti-oxidants are the police force of |
| determining the atom's chemical behavior. | | | | the human body: they travel around looking for |
| Atoms, like most of us, aim to find some sort of | | | | free radicals and attempting to neutralize them |
| stability. For this reason, they try to fill their outer | | | | before they can do any damage to living cells. |
| shell by gaining or losing electrons, or bonding with | | | | This makes consumption of anti-oxidant |
| other atoms and sharing electrons. Once this | | | | properties - such as fruit, vegetables, wine, and |
| bonding takes place, a molecule is formed. | | | | anti-oxidant infused water - particularly important: |
| Normally, after bonding, all electrons in a molecule | | | | the more policeman you have on staff, the |
| are paired: there is rarely a lone electron by itself. | | | | better chance the bad guys will be caught before |
| But when this does happen, free radicals form. | | | | they begin a damaging crime spree. |