Free Radical Damage
Free Radicals are molecules with unstable electrons. Whoaaaat? This may sound scary to those who are allergic to science ;-) This is a fairly simple concept AND important one to understand. So hang in there!
What is a Free Radical?
Molecules, like oxygen, have positively charged ions and negatively charged ions. Positively charge ions are always searching for electrons, and negatively charge ions always want to give them away. When in balance, negatively and positively charged electrons are paired together, like oxygen, and are content :-) Yet when molecules are split, they become unstable free radicals, and the negatively charged ion is in desperate need for "fulfillment" and searches for electrons from elsewhere.
Free Radicals? Say Hello to Premature Aging and Disease
Normally, there are few free positively charged electrons floating around, so the negatively charged free radicals find their "fulfillment", them by ripping positively charged molecules from your cell membranes. Free radicals have the capacity to affect the DNA in cells and change its "blueprint", and destroy cell membranes and enzymes. Free radical damage is the leading cause of aging and makes you more susceptible to heat disease, cancer and other health complications. Free radicals damage collagen, the protein in you skin responsible for making it elastic and supple, and cause wrinkles.
Sources of Free Radicals
Our exposure to free radicals has increased in our petroleum lives. Free radicals are created from the breakdown of petrochemicals (in drugs, artificial food colouring, preservatives in meats like nitrates and nitrites, exhaust fumes, cleaning fluids, chlorinated drinking water, stress (yes emotions can create free radicals) ~ with the biggest cause being rancid polyunsaturated fats (i.e. heated, air and light exposed olive, soy, canola, sesame, hemp and flax oils to name a few). The more we are exposed to free radicals, the more chance we have of overloading our immune systems and livers with toxins beyond their capacity.
The Solution: Antioxidants, Reduction of Petrochemical Exposure, More Delicious Organic Whole Foods & Raw Chocolate
We can reduce the damage to free radicals by two ways. First, reduce our exposure. As much as possible, choose organic whole foods, organic and natural cleaning, beauty and personal hygiene products, reduce use of plastic and choose eco-friendly products as much as possible. Don't forget to choose energy efficient products and means of transportation to reduce petroleum exposure and free radical damage for all of us :-)
Second, we can consume antioxidants which have negatively charged molecules that have an extra electron to give that can stabilize positively charged electrons so free radicals do not get them from our membranes. Foods high in antioxidants include berries, especially goji, broccoli, grapes, garlic, matcha green tea and raw organic cacao. Who said making positive change cannot be delicious?. Other good sources of antioxidants include whole grains and dark leafy greens. Elimination free radical damage is just one of the many reasons that people feel better and many health problems "magically" disappear when they switch to a whole food lifestyle.
Would you like to make the switch to organic whole foods lifestyle everyday convenient, quick, easy, delicious and affordable?
What is a Free Radical?
Molecules, like oxygen, have positively charged ions and negatively charged ions. Positively charge ions are always searching for electrons, and negatively charge ions always want to give them away. When in balance, negatively and positively charged electrons are paired together, like oxygen, and are content :-) Yet when molecules are split, they become unstable free radicals, and the negatively charged ion is in desperate need for "fulfillment" and searches for electrons from elsewhere.
Free Radicals? Say Hello to Premature Aging and Disease
Normally, there are few free positively charged electrons floating around, so the negatively charged free radicals find their "fulfillment", them by ripping positively charged molecules from your cell membranes. Free radicals have the capacity to affect the DNA in cells and change its "blueprint", and destroy cell membranes and enzymes. Free radical damage is the leading cause of aging and makes you more susceptible to heat disease, cancer and other health complications. Free radicals damage collagen, the protein in you skin responsible for making it elastic and supple, and cause wrinkles.
Sources of Free Radicals
Our exposure to free radicals has increased in our petroleum lives. Free radicals are created from the breakdown of petrochemicals (in drugs, artificial food colouring, preservatives in meats like nitrates and nitrites, exhaust fumes, cleaning fluids, chlorinated drinking water, stress (yes emotions can create free radicals) ~ with the biggest cause being rancid polyunsaturated fats (i.e. heated, air and light exposed olive, soy, canola, sesame, hemp and flax oils to name a few). The more we are exposed to free radicals, the more chance we have of overloading our immune systems and livers with toxins beyond their capacity.
The Solution: Antioxidants, Reduction of Petrochemical Exposure, More Delicious Organic Whole Foods & Raw Chocolate
We can reduce the damage to free radicals by two ways. First, reduce our exposure. As much as possible, choose organic whole foods, organic and natural cleaning, beauty and personal hygiene products, reduce use of plastic and choose eco-friendly products as much as possible. Don't forget to choose energy efficient products and means of transportation to reduce petroleum exposure and free radical damage for all of us :-)
Second, we can consume antioxidants which have negatively charged molecules that have an extra electron to give that can stabilize positively charged electrons so free radicals do not get them from our membranes. Foods high in antioxidants include berries, especially goji, broccoli, grapes, garlic, matcha green tea and raw organic cacao. Who said making positive change cannot be delicious?. Other good sources of antioxidants include whole grains and dark leafy greens. Elimination free radical damage is just one of the many reasons that people feel better and many health problems "magically" disappear when they switch to a whole food lifestyle.
Would you like to make the switch to organic whole foods lifestyle everyday convenient, quick, easy, delicious and affordable?
- Check out my Blog, Facebook Page and Twitter for regular tips on how to integrate whole foods into your everyday.
- Click here for more information about booking a private class or consultation.
- Stay tuned for my upcoming E-Book,. designed to inspire and teach you how to become your own Everyday Whole Plant Based Food Chef :-)
