Free Radicals & Oxidative Stress: Destroy Bone, Muscle, & Joint
Free radicals are unstable, high-energy substances that attack DNA, proteins, and essential fats. Imagine free radicals like devastating missiles that strike their target and cause severe damage, impairing the function and viability of the target. Frequently, free radicals contain either oxygen or nitrogen as their major component and are referred to as reactive oxygen species or reactive nitrogen species, respectively.
Examples:
- Superoxide anion radical
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Hydroxyl radical
- Nitric oxide
- Peroxynitrate anion
Free radicals demonstrate varying degrees of potency, with the superoxide anion and peroxynitrate anion displaying frightful destructiveness. Surprisingly, given their destructive nature, free radicals have a critical role in maintaining health and contribute vitally to immune system effectiveness:
- Free radicals offer a potent defense against invading organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
- Free radicals boost the cellular repair process by demolishing injured cell structures, paving the way for new growth.
- Free radicals help rid the body of diseased cells, such as cancer cells.
But as with many things in complex biologic systems, there is a fine balance between too much and too little. Too few free radicals put the body at risk for overwhelming infection; too many free radicals put the body at risk for significant collateral damage to normal healthy tissue, referred to as oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is a scenario in which free radicals attack healthy cells, healthy proteins, and healthy fats. Many diseases have been linked to oxidative stress and excessive free radical production. Examples include:
- Osteoporosis (weak bones)
- Arthritis (joint disease)
- Sarcopenia (muscle loss and weakness)
- Heart Disease
- Dementia
- Cancer
- Diabetes
In addition to their injurious nature, free radicals play a key role in initiating and propagating inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for chronic disease. Indisputably, a multi-pronged defense against uncontrolled free radical generation and oxidative stress is essential for well-being and disease prevention.
Antioxidants
An antioxidant is any substance that helps protect the body against damage inflicted by free radicals. An antioxidant’s mechanism of action usually falls into one of the following categories:
- Stops the formation of free radicals.
- Transforms free radicals into less dangerous substances.
- Scavenges and completely neutralizes free radicals.
The body has developed natural defenses to protect against oxidation and to promote well-being. The body employs a network of enzymes, vitamins, and other substances to afford protection. Examples:
- Enzymes (Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase)
- Vitamins (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A)
- Other Substances (Uric acid, glutathione)
Additionally, the plant kingdom has developed powerful substances that protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage. Some examples are:
- Essential oils
- Carotenoids
- Flavonoids
- Phenolic acids
- Stilbenes
- Lignans
- Organo sulfur compounds
By consuming an abundant and diverse array of health-promoting antioxidants, we are able to protect against free radical damage, oxidative stress, and disease.
References
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