Free Radicals
Overview
A Free Radical, pro oxidation, is a molecule that has lost an electron and is therefore unpaired. The unpaired molecule steals the missing electron from any nearby molecule leading to the creation of more Free Radicals and initiating a subsequent chain reaction. Two Free Radicals can terminate their own chain reaction by combining.
Essential Biological Functions of Free Radicals
Immune System
Free Radicals secreted by cells of the Immune System can lyse (destroy) Cancer cells: [1]
Free Radical generated cells other than Immune System Cells can CAUSE Cancer mainly by damaging the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) content of cells.
Metabolism
Free Radicals are an essential component of the oxidation process that is responsible for the production of Energy within the body. Most of the Free Radicals generated during Energy production are short-lived intermediates which do no harm - their short life is expended in the process of oxidation:
Unfortunately, the body''s Energy production process is 2% - 5% inefficient and some Free Radicals escape to cause harm in other parts of the body.
Even while inactive, every person produces millions of Free Radicals every second.
Toxic Effects of Non-Energy Producing Free Radicals Reactions
Aging & Life Extension
Excessive production of non-energy producing Free Radicals may accelerate the Aging Process(currently Free Radicals are the most popularly accepted theory for the underlying cause of the Aging Process): [2]
One of the means via which Free Radicals accelerate the Aging Process is by accelerating the shortening of Telomeres.
Cardiovascular System
Free Radicals may cause abnormal Blood Clotting by destroying the body''s ability to produce Prostaglandin I2.
Free Radicals may rupture Red Blood Cells.
Cells
Free Radicals may damage the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) content of Cells (mitochondrial DNA is especially prone to Free Radicals damage):
The damage caused by Free Radicals can easily kill Cells.
Large numbers of Free Radicals are unavoidably produced in the Mitochondria of Cells as a by-product of Energy production that occurs in the Mitochondria. [3]
One of the means via which Free Radicals accelerate the Aging Process is by accelerating the shortening of Telomeres. [4]
Digestive System
Excessive exposure to or generation of Free Radicals may be an underlying cause of Crohn’s Disease.
Excessive generation of Free Radicals may increase the risk of Gallstones.
Excessive exposure to or generation of Free Radicals may be an underlying cause of Pancreatitis. [5]
Free Radicals may be an underlying cause of Ulcerative Colitis. [6]
Ears/Hearing
Excessive generation of Free Radicals are speculated to be one of the underlying causes of Otosclerosis. [7]
Eyes/Vision
Free Radicals may cause Cataracts. [8]
Immune System
Free Radicals may cause Cancer-causing mutations to the body''s Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). [1]
Free Radicals are generated during Inflammation. [10]
Free Radicals may cause Lysosomes to rupture and release Acid Hydrolases.
Lipopigments
Free Radical damage to Cells may cause the production of Lipofuscin when Lysosomes attempt to digest these damaged cells and the undigested material remains as Lipofuscin.
Metabolism
Some researchers have noted that damage caused by Free Radicals is a common thread in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). It has been proposed that in CFS patients, excessive generation of Free Radicals may damage the Mitochondria and CellMembranes of Cells throughout the body.
Musculoskeletal System
Excessive generation of Free Radicals may initiate Muscular Atrophy.
Free Radicals may activate Osteoclasts (cells that cause the resorption of Bone which is an underlying factor in Osteoporosis). [11]
Free Radicals may be implicated in Rheumatoid Arthritis (by causing Lysosomes to rupture and release Acid Hydrolases). [12]
Nervous System
Excessive generation of Free Radicals in the Brain may be one of the underyling causes of Alzheimer’s Disease. [13]
Excessive generation of Free Radicals (oxidative stress) may be implicated in the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). [14]
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