The Free Radical Theory of Aging
The free radical theory, arguably the most well known theory, currently enjoys great popularity not only for those interested in anti-aging, but also among health care professionals. One might say that this theory is one of the current “rages” in health care today. One of the new bywords in health care is “antioxidants.” Although most people probably couldn’t give an adequate account of what an antioxidant actually is, most people would probably say something like, “but I know they’re good for you.”
The word “antioxidant” itself is probably the best key to opening the door of understanding free radicals. The prefix “anti” means “against” while “oxy” means “oxygen.” Together, they mean “against oxygen.” Most people learn by at least second or third grade that we breathe oxygen and this is a good thing because it keeps us alive. So then, why “against oxygen?”
For the answer to this question, we have to step from the world of the air we breathe down to the cellular level. As energy is generated in the cells to keep us going, waste products are produced. Some waste products consist of unstable molecules. These are called oxygen free radicals. These free radicals, while also helpful in fighting certain infections, turn the body against itself and begin taking a wrecking ball to neighboring cells. In order to grasp why this occurs, it’s important to understand that the term free radical refers to a molecule that possesses an unpaired electron in its outer shell. Such a molecule is in a state of disorder because the conventional molecule is paired with another electron, which renders its charge neutral and gives it a stable state of existence. The molecule then resides in a state of homeostasis. An oxygen free radical molecule, on the other hand, spins wildly out of control in a desperate search to yoke itself to an unpaired electron or conversely to give its electron to another molecule so a state of homeostasis can occur.
In a state of such emergency, the free radical crashes into other molecules and damages cellular structures along the way. Free radicals damage cellular membranes and DNA inhibits protein production, and oxidizes or spoils fatty deposits vital to the cell and the general health of an individual. It is known that war leaves behind considerable damage in its wake, well, so do free radicals. Besides damaging or destroying cells, free radicals leave behind waste products that cannot always be removed. This waste accumulates over time and can later cause degenerative illness as well as lead to death. Free radicals are widely implicated in contributing to the aging process. Aging can therefore be looked as a disease from this perspective. The human life span simply reflects the level of free radical oxidative damage that accumulates in cells. When enough damage accumulates, cells can’t survive properly anymore and die.
[Book: The Five Proven Secrets to Longevity]
