Free radicals are electronically charged unstable molecules that can easily react with and damage other molecules. An atom, molecule, or ion robs another of one or more of its electrons. Chemicals exhibiting this tendency for stealing electrons are referred to as oxidizing agents. When a material is oxidized, its chemical structure is altered.
A. + B: -----> A: + B. (Reaction 1)
B. + C: -----> B: + C. (Reaction 2)
They can be formed in 2 ways: Internally - as by product of metabolism whenever oxygen is involved. Externally – smog, cigarette smoke, pollution, ozone, solvents, pesticides, and the sun’s ionizing radiation. Some of the known free radicals include: Singlet oxygen (1O2*), Superoxide radical (O2-), Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and Hydroxyl radical (HO-). They can damage cells, membranes, DNA genetic material, and other body structures which eventually leads to chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, macular degeneration of the eye and cataracts (www.foodwatch.com 2001).
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