KING JAMES MEDICAL LABORATORY, INC.

Free radicals are molecules that have been chemically damaged (modified) by removing a single electron. This results in a molecule that has at least one of its electrons un-paired to another electron. This molecule is very reactive since it wants to have its electrons all paired up. To do this it goes looking for electrons from some other molecules. When it finds another electron it takes it from that second molecule, thus changing it and possibly damaging it or at least causing the second molecule to now be a reactive specie thus potentially causing damage to as yet third molecule, and so on. If this happens to special molecules in the body such as DNA, RNA, membrane lipids and lipoproteins or enzymes their actions in the body may be affected. This end result of this process can be poor cell function (disease), control of cell death (apoptosis) or even tissue death (necrosis).

Free radical production is a natural occurrence in cells, especially in cells that use or are exposed to oxygen. Free radicals are even used, at times, to aid the process of riding the body of unwanted invaders such as bacterial or viruses. However, too much production or production in the wrong place can be harmful, both now (acutely) and in the future (chronically). This is why the body needs Antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants serve as a source of electrons that can be provided to free radicals without damaging the cell components. Examples of antioxidants used by the body are Vitamins C and E, Carotenoids, Lipoic Acid, Melatonin, Albumin, Uric Acid, Coenzyme-Q10, Bilirubin, Flavanoids, and Thiols.

Antioxidant compounds must be constantly replenished since they are "used up" (converted) in the process of neutralizing free radicals. Therefore, one must continually produce more of the antioxidants in the body or ingest them either in our diet or by supplementation. Repair enzymes that can regenerate some antioxidants are Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx),Glutathione Reductase (GR), catalase and the other metalloenzymes.

Antioxidants must also be of different types so that they might be available for action when and where they are needed. They are needed in the different compartments of the body such as the circulating system (blood), the cell membranes, inside the cells and across the "blood-brain" barrier to the brain and the central nervous system. For these reasons, one must ingest a variety of different types of antioxidants, along with other important nutrients, to impact the damaging effects of the generation of free radicals by the body. This is best done through a proper balanced diet that is augmented by vitamin/mineral supplementation when needed.

For more information about free radicals refer to the following references:

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