The Body’s Criminal Justice System
Up until recently, when the word Antioxidants was spoken, most people did not know whether to breathe them, eat them or throw them out in the trash. Now a great deal of the population is tired of hearing the word, and vaguely knows that antioxidants are the “good guys.” And free radicals? Are they good? Are they free? Are they really radical? We can probably answer yes only to the last of these questions.

In simple terms free radicals are like Outlaws (the bad guys) and antioxidants are like the Sheriff and the Posse. The posse does its best job to hunt down, round up and get rid of the outlaws (free radicals). But what makes the outlaws turn to their life of crime and become the bad guys? Our body combines nutrients (that we get from food, sunlight, water, etc.) with OXYGEN to create Energy. This sounds wonderful, exactly what we need for life. But in this “OXIDATION” process, oxygen molecules containing an unpaired electron (the free radicals) are released. Thus, the bad guys are free.

Note: An electron, you may remember, is a particle of matter; the one usually considered to be the unit of negative electricity. When there is at least one unpaired electron, (creating a molecule that is out of balance electrically) another element can easily steal the “extra” electron causing a chemical reaction. This is oxidation and it induces cell death and causes other molecules to become out of balance. Oxidation is the reaction we see when our windshield (screen) wipers become stiff and brittle, when metals rust or when the surfaces of cut fruits and vegetables brown. It is also the reaction seen between oxygen and fats that causes rancid foods. One of the more deadly features of the oxidation process is that it triggers a chain reaction. It basically feeds itself. The chain reaction of the unstable free radical produces another, and another and so on. Not stopped, it results in cellular damage or cellular death.

In our bodies, this also occurs more readily in fat (as compared to the protein or carbohydrates we eat). Fat is a great producer of free radical bad guys. Fat produces more oxidation because it produces more energy, remember that is the ultimate goal of our nutrients – to produce energy. Let me also point out that this extra energy from fat is not always used as well by the body as energy from carbohydrates.

Did Jesse James have a Good Side?
The process of creating energy itself creates free radicals. But the natural laws of nature have few spare parts and these elements have their purpose, although not fully known to us yet. According to biochemist Denham Harman free radicals may be the reason we can mutate (meaning a way our species can evolve). They may also be nature’s way of recycling the products (causing death, so others can live off the environment). In addition, they play a defensive role in our immune system by attacking invading enemies with what is known as an “oxidative burst” (a chemical kamikaze, on your team). Further, they help in normal metabolism by breaking down organic compounds, and help control the tone of smooth muscles (such as the heart muscle). Free radicals are not totally bad.

Free radicals do occur naturally and are held in check, under good bodily conditions and circumstances. The “good circumstance,” while hard to achieve, mean that fewer free radicals will develop and fewer will be released to do their bad guy stuff. The formation of free radicals (known as “reactive oxygen species”) is accelerated by external elements. You can probably recite a few problem situations before I list them. They may include (but are not limited to):

- Toxic chemicals - Household and cleaning products - Pesticides (in lawn, garden or foods) - Metabolic body processes (described above) - Air pollution - Water pollution - X-rays, CAT or PET scans - Anesthetics - Fried fatty foods - Alcohol

- Overexposure to the sun - Ultra violet light - Radiation & electromagnetic fields - TV and Computers - Electric blankets - Frequent proximity to electric sources - Microwaves - High voltage wiring - Cigarette smoke - Even OVER exertion

. . . AND THE LIST GOES ON

Sounds pretty awful, but do not give up hope and do not throw the book down yet. Some may disagree, but I do not believe it is possible to avoid these things in our culture and still live a sane life. So the answer is not to avoid each and every one. Personally, I do not know what I would do without the computer (one of the items on the list) while trying to organize research material. Would it be worth the benefit to my health to do it by hand? I think not. Plus it would drive my husband crazy.

We need to be practical in our approach. Avoid undue risk, but also protect ourselves in other ways. Before I proceed with these other ways – which I am sure you can guess has to do with antioxidants, since the chapter title gives it away – I want to briefly address the last item in my list above (over exertion).

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