What is a free radical?

What exactly is a "free radical", you may be wondering. Well, here's a brief overview.

Everyone has what is called free radicals that roam throughout the body. These free radicals have the potential to attack on protein, lipid and nucleic acids leads to a reduction in their respective function, thereby decreasing cell function, then organ function, and finally, organismal function. This action is called oxidation, which leads to the cell damage. They are about the size of an atom and move very fast.

Sounds bad doesn't it? Well, yes, it is bad, however...antioxidants fight back. A nutrition plan that includes antioxidants can assist in staving off the potential for acute illness due to free radicals. Antioxidants help the body to slow and contain the damage done by free radicals, washing them harmlessly out of the body. Antioxidants can even help repair damage that has already been done by them.

There are many ways to get your antioxidants, but the best way is naturally by eating plenty of fruits and veggies a day. They are packed with antioxidants.

Come back tomorrow for more information because we've only hit the tip of the iceberg with free radicals and antioxidants. There's so much more to know!