Oxidative chemical reactions are produced by free radicals or agents "prooxidants, during normal cellular metabolic processes. The oxidation involves an exchange of ions with energy release and new radicals and oxidized substances formation.
There is a significant number of free radicals but the most important are the hydroxyl group, the superoxide anion and the hydrogen peroxide.
There is a significant number of free radicals but the most important are the hydroxyl group, the superoxide anion and the hydrogen peroxide.
The body has its own system of control free radicals, through specialized enzymes, the most important, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, together with other substances such as albumin, uric acid and ceruloplastina.
This system, for various reasons, begins to fail and free radicals accumulate, causing major damage at various levels. Block the cell membranes, damage the mitochondria and vital cells, alter the DNA and tissues.
The production of free radicals in the organism is associated primarily with cell respiration and is more evident with aging, inflammation and immune reactions. Abnormal factors that can further enhance their appearance, some dietary deficiencies (eg. Vitamins), intoxications (alcohol, snuff, heavy metals, drugs).
Some of the most common pathological manifestations involving free radicals are, damage to DNA and cancer appearance, heart disease, arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, premature aging, diabetes, brain damage, damage ophthalmic, skin problems.
A help to normal antioxidants control is given by organic foods with antioxidant properties (and possibly supplements), some vitamins (C, E and A, retinol and carotenoids), minerals such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, sulfur, flavonoids and anthocyanins of plants, coenzyme Q and lipoic acid.
The existence of these phenomena is widely established, what still remains to be clarified is the possibility of altering its metabolic dominance through dietary treatments or medications, to reduce its prevalence and consequent damage.
The fact that a recent investigation has not shown any effect of antioxidant vitamins on life expectancy, should serve to trigger the execution of a series of studies demonstrating the importance of antioxidants in achieving better health and welfare of human beings, beyond the years to live.
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