To really grasp what a free radical is, you must look at at it from a chemical level of cells and molecules. Here's a quick chemistry lesson: The chemical composite of the human body is comprised of 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 take care of the chemical reactions and are the substance that bonds atoms together to form molecules. Electrons surround, or "orbit" an 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.
A substance that has a full outer shell tends not to enter in chemical reactions. Ultimately, atoms seek to reach a state of maximum stability, an atom will try to fill its outer shell by:
Eradicate or pick up electrons to fill or empty the shell
Sharing its electrons by bonding together with other atoms in order to complete its 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.
Usually when a split occurs, it never leaves the molecule with an odd, unpaired set of electrons. However, when bond does split, free radicals are created--they tend to move and react quickly to other compounds as they begin to attempt to capture as many electrons as they can to achieve maximum stability.
Traditionally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule they come across-- "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it too now becomes a free radical thus starting a chain reaction. Once this process is started, it can cascade and finally result in the 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.
Typically, the body is able to handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Most importantly is that free radical damage accumulates with age. - 14915
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 take care of the chemical reactions and are the substance that bonds atoms together to form molecules. Electrons surround, or "orbit" an 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.
A substance that has a full outer shell tends not to enter in chemical reactions. Ultimately, atoms seek to reach a state of maximum stability, an atom will try to fill its outer shell by:
Eradicate or pick up electrons to fill or empty the shell
Sharing its electrons by bonding together with other atoms in order to complete its 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.
Usually when a split occurs, it never leaves the molecule with an odd, unpaired set of electrons. However, when bond does split, free radicals are created--they tend to move and react quickly to other compounds as they begin to attempt to capture as many electrons as they can to achieve maximum stability.
Traditionally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule they come across-- "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it too now becomes a free radical thus starting a chain reaction. Once this process is started, it can cascade and finally result in the 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.
Typically, the body is able to handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Most importantly is that free radical damage accumulates with age. - 14915
About the Author:
Researching the benefits antioxidants have on the human body has been a passion for Dr. Jerimiah Crossderd for the past 30 years. He has an acai berry fruit web site where you can get a wealth of information on antioxidant rich acai berry fruit. To protect you from scams, he also has a free acai berry fruit review site where he keeps you up to date on the best acai supplements.
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