Free radicals

What are free radicals?

The human body is made up of many types of cells. Each cell contains many different molecules. Molecules have many types of atoms from many elements connected together by chemical bonds. Atoms have a nucleus, neutrons, protons and electrons. The number of protons (positively charged elementary particles around the nucleus) of an atom will determine the number of electrons (negatively charged particles) around the atom. Electrons are involved in chemical reactions because they are more dynamic, and are the material that connects atoms together.

In fact, in nature, our body contains many molecules, ions or an atom with one electron or an odd number of electrons (lack of electrons), so it is often unstable and easily reacts with other molecules in the cell, called free radicals, created from complex chemical reactions, metabolism, respiration and elimination of dead cells.

According to normal development, the body will automatically form free radicals in the oxidation process that we need oxygen to maintain daily life, slowly aging and dying. If we have an irregular and stressful life, we will create more free radicals. Free radicals with single electrons are very unstable and tend to take electrons from other atoms or molecules to return to a stable state. The consequences easily lead to an imbalance in the number of free radicals, breaking down the cell structure, leading to rapid aging, tissue damage, causing cancer, and forming other diseases.

According to Vinmec Hospital, many studies have found the connection of free radicals to the formation of a number of diseases including:

Central nervous system diseases such as: Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's disease.

Cardiovascular diseases caused by arterial occlusion.

Inflammatory disorders and the immune system: Common autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus.
Free radicals are agents that cause genetic mutations when attacking DNA and attacking membrane tissues, biological substances in cells, contributing to increasing the risk of cancer and making cancer more severe.
Cataracts and age-related vision loss
Changes in appearance caused by aging such as loss of skin elasticity, wrinkles, gray hair, hair loss, weak nails.
Related to diabetes in the elderly.
However, in the body there are still useful free radicals such as Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) and Nitric Oxide (NO•) that have important functions in cells. For example, Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is used by the immune system to kill bacteria. Nitric Oxide (NO•) is a signaling molecule in many systems in the body.

Free radicals are formed in mitochondria, which are countless microscopic energy factories inside cells. When mitochondria process your food to create energy for the body, the waste products are free radicals.

For ease, you can imagine on your motorbike, the internal combustion engine produces energy by burning fuel. If burned completely, the byproducts are CO2 and water vapor, which are not called toxic substances. But because the combustion is not complete, it also creates CO, which is toxic. Similarly, mitochondria will process glucose in food to create ATP (Energy Currency of Cells - organic compounds and hydrotropes) to provide energy for many cell processes. This process also requires oxygen, 2 - 5% of the oxygen you breathe will create free radicals. The amount of free radicals created in cells depends on lifestyle and living environment. Just like an old car that is not well maintained will produce more pollution – if you do not take good care of yourself, your body will age faster, you are tending to create more free radicals.

Free radicals are formed naturally in the body but if you have a poor lifestyle, more free radicals will form. Factors that will cause the body to create more free radicals: antibiotics, drugs and cigarette smoke, stress, viruses, bacteria, electromagnetic fields, daily cleaning chemicals, alcohol, overtraining, mold, radiation, pollution, processed foods, lack of sleep, toxins and UV rays.

Antioxidants
Antioxidants are capable of preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from one substance to the oxidizing agent. Thus, the oxidation reaction creates more free radicals. In the chain, free radicals damage cells. Antioxidants end this chain by scavenging intermediate free radicals and preventing further oxidation reactions.

Although oxidation reactions are necessary for the body, they also cause many other problems. Therefore, plants and animals often have complex systems to fight oxidation, such as glutathione (an antioxidant found in plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and archaea, which can prevent some reactive oxygen species from damaging cells, such as free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxidation, and heavy metals.

This substance is also produced naturally by the liver), vitamin C, vitamin E and enzymes such as catalase, sup

eroxide dismutase and peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants or inhibition of antioxidant enzymes will lead to oxidative imbalance (or oxidative stress) and damage to cells.

Oxidative imbalance can be an important part of human diseases, so antioxidants in pharmacology are being extensively studied, specifically in the treatment of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. However, it is still unclear whether oxidative imbalance is the cause or just a link in the pathology chain.

Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in functional foods in the hope of maintaining health and preventing diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and even altitude sickness.

Applications of alkaline water
To reduce free radicals, we use antioxidants such as vitamin C, fruits, vegetables, etc. to neutralize free electrons in cells. Common fruits have negative ORP when freshly picked, vitamin C in pill form also has an index Higher negative ORP. Alkaline ionized water has an even higher negative ORP to balance free radicals. Many laboratory studies have concluded that alkaline ionized water is very effective in cleaning free radicals.

To limit free radicals in the body, we should stay away from substances that are bad for the body such as greasy foods, beer, alcohol, carbonated drinks..., eat lots of fruits, green vegetables, get enough sleep, avoid stress: Limit negative thoughts, anxiety... exercise to reduce stress such as yoga, walking, learn to think positively to avoid the formation of free radicals

Experiments on lymphocytes or lymphocytes or lymphocytes in test tubes show that alkaline ionized water can prevent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from damaging DNA, RNA and some proteins.

Alkaline ionized water is used in the food industry for sterilization and disinfection.

Acidic water (pH 2.3 - 2.6) is used as a seed disinfectant or sterilization in surface contact.

When free radicals increase in the body, they will harm cells, increasing the risk of many complex diseases. Diet and lifestyle also contribute to the formation of free radicals. Therefore, a scientific lifestyle, supplemented with antioxidants such as alkaline ionized water helps limit the formation of free radicals.

References

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