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