Free radicals and antioxidants

Free radicals are chemical species having one or more oxygenated or nitrogenised electrons that are not linked on their external layer. These chemical species, with very high reactivity, are able to oxidize proteins, DNA and cellular membranes and therefore to denature them. This is one of the current theories explaining aging. The human body has set up defenses in the form of enzymes or other chemical molecules which require certain elements such as vitamins A, E, C, and some poly-phenols, called anti-oxidants for their proper functioning. Any form of stress (fatigue, intense physical exercise, alcohol or tobacco, ingestion or inhalation of some pollutants) and some genetic diseases foster the formation of free radicals or decrease the efficiency of the defensive systems. But beware: too much intake of these antioxidant molecules may be harmful to the physiological balance of the body and therefore cause serious incurable diseases.

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