How can we stop free radicals?
Why and how do antioxidant substances like vitamins A, C and E fight against free radicals? Well, if we think about it, they really don't. In fact, in a way, they act in favor of free radicals, providing them with the electrons they need to stabilize themselves. The "trick" is that antioxidants, unlike other molecules, are able to do this and still not turn themselves into other free radicals. This successfully stops the chain reaction by stabilizing and neutralizing free radicals without creating new ones. As a consequence, the related tissue destruction processes are remarkably reduced.
As vitamin C is soluble in water, it can act as a first line of defense by chemically and electrically reacting with those free radicals present in blood and other water-based substances in the body. Vitamin E and beta carotene (a primitive form of vitamin A) are soluble in fat; they usually interact with free radicals present in cellular membranes and in lipoproteins like LDL-Cholesterol.
Our body can produce its own antioxidants, but sometimes they are insufficient, therefore unable to stop the production of free radicals, especially on smokers. Smoking, as well as other factors like drug abuse, inadequate diet, stress, lack of adequate sleep and others, are known as "unstabilizing factors", as they reduce the effectiveness of antioxidants.
Another source of antioxidants is food, especially fruit, vegetables and legumes. The body can get some antioxidants directly from them, and they also contain some elements that are useful to synthesize other antioxidants. However, in today's world, with the fast life most people live, the effects of air pollution and the inadequate alimentary habits, it's really hard to follow a diet that successfully provides us with all of the required antioxidants and nutrients in a natural way. Therefore, the use of nutritional supplements is almost essential for most people.
Another factor that helps reducing aging is physical exercise. A daily, moderate amount of physical exercising helps improving the effectiveness of the immune system and makes your body more resistant to infections and other diseases. Keep in mind, however, that an excessive, very intense physical exercise will demand an acceleration of the oxygenation process, and this will increase the production of free radicals greatly, making your body more sensitive to infections and aging processes. For this reason, people who have important exercising habits, like athletes, must consume larger quantities of nutritional supplements.
In conclusion, a daily moderate exercising program, combined with an adequate diet reinforced with nutritional supplements, always under supervision of a specialist, is the best way to fight against the attack of free radicals.
