Vitamin C Combats

Researching free radical damage has given us hope of finding cures for diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Developing a general understanding of free radical molecules will help you combat the propagation of certain damaging free radical molecules in your body. Some free radicals occur naturally during metabolism. At times, the body’s immune system cells can even intentionally create them to help fight harmful viruses and bacteria. Free radicals can typically be handled by the body, however, if antioxidants are unavailable or if the production of free radicals becomes excessive, damage can occur. One way of reducing free radicals in your body, while simultaneously strengthening your immune system is to increase your intake of Vitamin C. Of all the mammals, the only ones that can’t manufacture their own Vitamin C are the primates (man, apes, monkeys, etc.), the Indian fruit-eating bat, and the guinea pig. We are, therefore, entirely dependent upon outside sources for our Vitamin C supply. It is critical that we supplement our bodies with enough Vitamin C. In order to gain a better understanding of the benefits of vitamin C, we must first understand what a free radical is and how it can damage cells. Atoms are surrounded by pairs of electrons. If a molecule loses an electron, it will have one electron that is desperate to be paired once again. Free radicals are very unstable, agitated molecules that attack healthy cells and molecules to rob them of their electrons. This causes the healthy molecule to also become unstable and become a free radical itself. Free radicals accumulate in the body, spread damage to membranes in healthy cells, progress aging and can greatly contribute to disease. When free radicals connect with healthy cells, they cause a chemical reaction in the cell membrane called oxidation. Oxidation hardens or destroys the lipids of the cell wall, slowly disabling the cell. This is what is believed to cause hardening of the arteries and can lead to heart disease. Free radicals can wreak havoc on your body. Affected cells have reduced function and age very quickly. They are no longer able to produce energy, which sets off a chemical chain reaction of events that eventually kills the cell. Free radicals multiply very quickly when they encounter foreign substances in the body, such as pesticides, household cleaners, toxins from cigarettes, heavy metals and even some medications. Antioxidants combat the oxidation on cells caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are stable with or without paired electrons. So, they are able to quickly and generously give the free radicals an extra electron. This satisfies the molecule, stabilizes it and prevents the spread of the free radical. Antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, are used by all plant and animal life to maintain their defenses against free radical damage. Without enough antioxidants in the system, cells will suffer from free radical oxidation and die. Knowing how free radicals can multiply and accumulate in your system should help you realize the importance of avoiding contact with chemicals on your skin or in the form of pesticides on your food. Vitamin C especially can help keep you healthy. The white blood cells in your body attack viruses, infections and foreign substances, such as free radicals. They cannot function without enough Vitamin C.