Fat Loss 4 Idiots Secret

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Elements of Destruction to the Body Understood

By Dr. Lorna Mistranski

To understand the way that free radicals and antioxidants interact, you must first understand a bit about cells and molecules. This is a quick course in Physiology/Chemistry lesson: The human body is composed of many different types of cells.

Cells are composed of many different types of molecules. Molecules consist of one or more atoms of one or more elements joined by chemical bonds.

Atoms are made up of a nucleus, protons, electrons, and neutrons. The number positively charged particles (protons) in the nucleus of the atom is what determines how many negatively charged particles (electron) will surround the atom.

Electrons are responsible for the chemical reactions that take place inside the atom as well as the substance that holds the atom together to form molecules. Electrons orbit the atom in one or more shells.

The innermost shell is full when it has two electrons. When the first shell is full, electrons begin to fill the second shell. When the second shell has eight electrons, it is full.

The most significant factor in determining an atoms chemical behavior is the number of electrons in the outer shell.

An atom that has a full outer shell does not enter in chemical reactions. Atoms seek to reach a state of maximum stability by one of the following:

Loose or pick up electrons to either empty or fill the outer shell

Bonding with other atoms to share electrons to complete the outer shell

The most common way atoms complete their outer shell is by sharing electrons with other atoms. This bonding share strategy used by atoms satisfies the stipulations needed for maximum stability of the molecule.

Normally, bonds wont split in a way that leaves a molecule with an odd, unpaired electron. But when weak bonds split, free radicals are formed--free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds, trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability.

The most common way free radicals attack is by finding the closest molecule that is stable and from there they begin the process of stealing electrons. When the molecule that is attacked starts losing the electrons, it becomes a free radical as well. When this process begins, it creates a chain reaction in which the end result is a disruption of a living cell.

During metabolism, free radicals will normally arise--there are even times when the body will naturally create free radicals for situations like neutralizing viruses and bacteria. Another way free radicals enter the body is by pollution such as radiation, smoke, and insecticides.

The body usually defends these free radicals well, however when antioxidants are not available or free radical damage becomes too excessive, cell damage can occur. The most significant importance to this free radical damage is that it accelerates the aging process in humans - 17274

About the Author:

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home