What are free radicals and how do they affect the body?

Antioxidants have gained a lot of attention and interest in recent times. It is considered the way to go to improve immunity. It’s interesting how antioxidants can improve immunity. To understand the antioxidants’ mechanism in our body, it’s important to understand first, what free radicals are and how do they affect our body and immunity?

Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are naturally formed when you exercise and when your body converts food into energy. Your body can also be exposed to free radicals from a variety of environmental sources, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and sunlight.

Free radicals are reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen. If free radicals overwhelm the body's ability to regulate them, a condition known as oxidative stress arises. Oxidative stress, a process that can trigger cell damage. It is thought to play a role in a variety of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Free radicals adversely alter lipids, proteins, and DNA and trigger several human diseases. A balance between free radicals and antioxidants is necessary for proper physiological function. Hence the application of an external source of antioxidants can assist in coping with this oxidative stress. (1*)

“Antioxidant" is a general term for any compound that can counteract unstable molecules called free radicals that damage DNA, cell membranes, and other parts of cells. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by giving up some of their own electrons. In making this sacrifice, they act as a natural "off" switch for the free radicals. This helps break a chain reaction that can affect other molecules in the cell and other cells in the body. ( 2*)

 In the last decade, preventive medicine has undergone a great advance, especially in developed countries. Research has demonstrated that nutrition plays a crucial role in the prevention of chronic diseases, as most of them can be related to diet. There are various sources by which antioxidants can be taken. The best ways to get the dose of antioxidants

  • Food: Including lot of green vegetables and fruits in your diet is the best way to have antioxidants 
  • Micronutrients: Eating vegetables rich in vitamins & minerals is a good source of antioxidants. There are also options available consuming vitamins and minerals via pills. For e.g. Vitamin C capsules and tablets.  
  • Phytonutrients: Phytonutrients are natural compounds found in plant foods and are rich in antioxidants. Consuming these plant compounds have beneficial effects working with other essential nutrients to promote good health.

 One of the best ways is to take the phytonutrients through dietary supplements such as natural turmeric supplements like Golden Hug. Golden Hug is rich in highly bioavailable curcuminoids, the natural compounds found in turmeric, which provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Golden Hug provides all these benefits without the addition of any synthetic excipients.

For More information, please visit https://www.natureandthought.com/products/golden-hug-60-capsules .

 

References:

1* https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth

2* https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-antioxidants

 

 


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