How to Survive Free Radical Damage



Get Fitness Equipment Information on mps-fitness-equipment.com. How to Survive Free Radical Damage topic will increase your understanding on Fitness Equipment Information. We at mps-fitness-equipment.com only provide news, articles, information in Fitness Equipment Information. Fitness Equipment Information at mps-fitness-equipment.com provides the most up to date news and articles. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Copyright 2006 Marc David

Let's face it ...

You've probably heard about free radicals before and you might have just assumed it was a bunch of B.S. But have you ever wondered exactly what are free radials, what can cause them and how you can combat the effects?

If you've heard about them but were curious as the natural of them, you'll be interested in this article.

What Are Free Radicals?:

An atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues, free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases.

What Can Cause Them?:

External Factors -

* Smoking * Food (ingested substances, preparation, pesticides) * Pollutants in the air (chemicals in the area) * Radiation * Excessive amounts of sunlight * Alcohol * Drugs

Internal Factors -

* Immune system * Stress * Energy production (exercise) * Many other chemical reactions in the body * Body's own out of control production (just as damaging as external factors)

What Diseases Are Linked To Them?:

* Cancer * Arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis. * Heart disease. * Cerebrovascular disease. * Stroke. * Emphysema (Cross et al 1987). * Diabetes mellitus (Sato et al 1979). * Rheumatoid arthritis (Cross et al 1987, Greenwald & Moy 1979, 1980, Halliwell 1981, 1989, Del Maestro et al 1982, Fligiel et al 1984). * Osteoporosis (Hooper 1989, Stringer et al 1989). * Ulcers. * Sunburn. * Cataracts (Niwa & Hansen, 1989, Yagi 1977). * Crohn's disease (Niwa & Hansen 1989). * Behcet's disease * Aging * Senility

Benefits of Free Radicals:

* Essential role in the human body's defense * Virus and bacteria are showered with a type of toxic shower when the body intentionally produces free radicals as part of its immune defense systems to destroy invaders

Antioxidant 'Free Radical' Prevention Methods:

* Natural enzymes * Nutrients (vitamins A, C, E primary antioxidants) * Self-Repair

What You Can Do To Prevent Free Radical Damage:

* Vitamin and mineral supplementation * Steer clear of heavy processed foods * Diet high in fruits and vegetables

Antioxidant Foods:

* Artichokes * Bilberries * Black beans * Blackberries * Black plums * Blueberries * Cauliflower * Cranberries * Gala apples * Granny Smith apples * Pecans * Peppers * Pinto beans * Plums * Prunes * Raspberries * Red beans * Red Delicious apples * Red kidney beans * Russet potatoes * Strawberries * Sweet cherries * Tomatoes * Wild blueberries

Summary:

It seems like free radicals are discussed a lot when it comes to exercising only because the more you exercise, the more free radicals you will have because of energy production. That's not entirely a bad thing. The name 'free radical' sounds very negative but it's there for a purpose as well, primary as a defense system. Of course, it can go out of control as well.

Monitoring the levels of free radicals is difficult to measure.

Vitamins A, C and E are the primary nutrients to prevent free radical damage.

Most will recommend a diet high in fruits and vegetables to obtain natural antioxidant sources but vitamin supplementation is also recommended. There's enough evidence to suggest that food processing today has taken out some of the nutritional values. True or not, if you eat correctly AND supplement responsibly, you should be covered per the recommendations.

Marathon runners or high altitude running may require more Vitamin E 10-14 days before a run because of the extra long term stress and energy production.

If you stick to a good basic diet with fruits and vegetables and take a good vitamin supplement, you should be well protected against excess free radical damage without interfering with the body's own ability to defend itself.


The Most Topical Best Selling Product! - How Will You and Your Loved Ones Survive The Imminent Bird Flu Pandemic?
Children And Divorce. - Smart Divorce outlines a step-by-step holistic approach on how to help your children not to just survive, but Thrive!


Article Index: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63



More Articles:


1. It’s All About the Abs - Abdominal Exercise Equipment That Really Works By C.J. Gustafson
Abdominal Exercise Equipment That Really WorksThere have been many studies and reports about how our society as a whole has grown heavier and chubbier. The stomach, in particular, has become a trouble spot for many people. This is due in part to the fact that many of us have desk jobs where we rarely use our stomach and abdomen muscles. For others, this is where the excess fat, brought on by the fast food and extra beers, settles in our bodies. Whatever the reason for our big bellies, there ha…

2. Get Fat to Get Fit Fast
Getting enough of the good fats will help you lose fat, build muscle, and recover faster from your workouts. In addition, it has myriad health benefits, including being good for your heart. Good fats include: polyunsaturated (especially Omega-3's), such as those from fish and nuts, as well as monosaturated fats, such as those from peanut butter, olive oil, egg yolks, and fish oil. Bad fats include saturated fats from things such as animal and coconut fats. Then there is the worst kind of fat the…

3. Treatment of sleep and respiratory disorders
Treatment of sleep and respiratory disorders is what Apneatherapy.com specializes in. It aims at ensuring that one has a 'Good Night' so that one can have a 'Good Day' following it. Apneatherapy.com prides in helping to provide utilization of the highest experience level and take maximum care. (The 35 years of experience of its staff and patients treated numbering in thousands has helped meet this.) Apneatherapy.com employs a variety of skilled personnel on staff comprising of Board Ce…

4. Exercise Bikes - Reviews and Advice By Martin Smith
Two types of exercise bikes are available. The design of the upright bike resembles that of a typical road bike but they are stationary. The pedals are positioned below the rider and puts added stress on the joints. The seat on the recumbent bike’s seat resembles chairs and the pedals are out in front of the rider so that pedaling is more natural and puts less stress on the joints.Other types of exercise bikes are available as well. Dual action exercise bikes are upright bikes that have moveab…