Free Radical

Definition of Free Radical:
A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron.  Because another element can easily pick up this free electron and cause a chemical reaction, these free radicals can effect dramatic and destructive changes in the body.  Free radicals are activated in heated and rancid oils and by radiation in the atmosphere, among other things.
Also: Free Radicals

Topics Related to Free Radical

Alpha Lipoic Acid
As A Treatment
“...Lipoic acid fights free radical damage in both fatty and watery regions of cells and helps to recycle other antioxidants in what is described as "antioxidant synergism"...”
Alzheimer's Disease
The Condition
“...Increased free radical activity (oxidative stress) appears to fuel Alzheimer's pathology - acting simultaneously as a mediator, product, and trigger for this "clogging" process and its related neural damage...”
Aneurysm / Rupture
Recommendation Vitamin E
“...These data supply evidence of altered vitamin E metabolism and free radical processes in the tissues of patients with various manifestations of atherosclerosis...”

More topics Related to Free Radical

Antioxidant
Related Topic
“...Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by molecules called free radicals...”
Antioxidant Requirement
The Condition
“...a variety of age-related conditions such as heart disease and cancer have been linked to oxidation processes within the body that take place due to an excess of reactive molecules, also known as "free radicals"...”
Relationship to Parkinson's Disease
“...an excess of free radicals in the body, can cause disease was first brought forward in 1983...”
Antioxidants
As A Treatment
“...Function; Why it is Recommended: At the molecular and cellular levels, antioxidants serve to deactivate certain particles called free radicals...”
Atherosclerosis
The Condition
“...social isolation, high degrees of negative attitudes (such as hostility and cynical distrust), excessive experience of negative emotions (such as depression, anger, and anxiety), and high ratio of free radical markers to antioxidants...”
Recommendation Selenium
“Considered to be from 200 to 500 times more potent an antioxidant than vitamin E, selenium and vitamin E are synergistic as antioxidants and inhibit or prevent the damage to tissues by free radicals which have been cited as causal factors in heart disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis and aging...”
Recommendation Hawthorn Berry Extract
“...Proanthocyanadins stabilize collagen to prevent cholesterol deposits on arterial walls, prevent free radical damage, reduce peripheral vascular resistance, angina, cholesterol, and increase coronary and myocardial perfusion; hawthorn has a historic use in congestive heart failure; dosage 3 to...”
Beta 1,3 Glucan
As A Treatment
“...Beta-1,3-glucan is a safe and potent nutritional supplement with a systemic effect that can be described as non-specific immune stimulation combined with its free radical scavenging activity...”
Bioflavonoids
As A Treatment
“...a vitamin, Hesperidin and other bioflavonoids are now known to have many beneficial effects such as improving the effectiveness of vitamin C, improving capillary fragility, antioxidant and free radical protection to name but a few...”
Calcium-D-Glucarate
As A Treatment
“...Function; Why it is Recommended: Other antioxidants work by neutralizing toxic free radical damage in the body...”
Cancer, General
Recommendation Coffee Enema
“...This enzyme is responsible for neutralizing free radicals, harmful chemicals now commonly implicated in the initiation of cancer and needed for detoxification...”
Carnosine
As A Treatment
“...As an antioxidant, carnosine potently quenches that most destructive of free radicals, the hydroxyl, as well as superoxide, singlet oxygen and the peroxyl radical...”
Cataracts
The Condition
“...During cataract formation the normal protective mechanisms are unable to prevent free radical damage...”
Centrophenoxine
As A Treatment
“...The anti-aging benefits of Centrophenoxine include protection against free radical damage, increased mental energy, improved memory, and prevention and treatment of stroke and brain injury...”
Chelation Therapy
As A Treatment
“...Abnormally-situated nutritional metals, which speed free radical damage, and toxic metals such as lead, are most easily removed by EDTA...”
Chocolate
As A Treatment
“...Antioxidants remove free radicals from the body -- destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments...”
Concern Over Wrinkled Skin
Relationship to Sun Damage/Overexposure
“...UVA rays induce the formation of free radicals, which attack the skin's lipids...” “...The skin's natural defenses against the free radicals produced by UV light are vitamin C and vitamin E...”
Recommendation Vitamin E
“The skin's natural defenses against the free radicals produced by UV light are vitamin C and vitamin E...”
Coronary Disease / Heart Attack
Our Question about Low-carbohydrate dieting
“...1s] Uric acid itself has been tied to cardiovascular disease risk in virtually every instance it's been studied over the last 50 years, and may be an independent risk factor by increasing free radical damage or making the blood more susceptible to clotting...”
Recommendation Vitamin E
“...Free radical stress can be reduced with antioxidants such as vitamin E...”
Recommendation Selenium
“...Selenium and Vitamin E are synergistic as antioxidants and inhibit or prevent the damage to tissues by free radicals which have been cited as causal factors in heart disease...”
Cysteine / N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
As A Treatment
“...Indications are that N-acetyl cysteine is anti-aging; anti-oxidant; a powerful aid in protecting the body from radiation; it deactivates free radicals; is vital for the formation of skin and cell recovery particularly after surgery or cellular damage from burns...”
Dental Metal Removal
As A Treatment
“...The bowel of a healthy person may not be prone to free radical damage, but the damaged bowel of the metal toxic patient is potentially an area for added concern and monitoring...”
DMAE Requirement
The Condition
“DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is an antioxidant and free radical deactivator which is found naturally in the human brain...”
DMSO Topically
As A Treatment
“...It is an antioxidant - a scavenger of the free radicals that gather at the site of injury...”
Eclampsia / Preeclampsia “Several studies imply that harmful free radicals called lipid peroxides contribute to preeclampsia [Khan KS, Chien Pl...”
European Skullcap
As A Treatment
“...Both baicalin and baicalein are powerful antioxidants, protecting red blood cells from free radical damage better than vitamin E can...”
Excess Phytates in Diet
The Condition
“...Although phytates do bind with minerals, they may actually be preventing the formation of free radicals, thereby keeping the minerals at safe levels in the body...”
General Detoxification Requirement
The Condition
“...Treatment and Prevention: Many of the antioxidant nutrients found in a healthful diet neutralize free radical molecules...”
Germanium
As A Treatment
“...It is known to possess powerful antioxidant properties that enable the body to fight the harmful effects of free radicals...”
Ginkgo Biloba
As A Treatment
“...The overall physiologic results of ginkgo use are increased perfusion to the brain and peripheral circulation, enhanced free radical scavenging, improved cerebral tolerance to hypoxia, and strengthened microvasculature...”
Glutathione
Related Topic
“...Glutathione is also involved in amino acid transport across cell membranes and is a powerful free radical scavenger and antioxidant that removes unwanted substances from the body...”
Gout / Hyperuricemia
The Condition
“...studies show that, in proper concentrations in the blood, it has antioxidant properties and helps protect the cells and tissues from irritation and damage caused by singlet oxygens and hydroxyl free radicals...”
Grape Seed Extract
As A Treatment
“...The actions of PCOs include decreasing capillary permeability (vitamin "P"), inhibiting the breakdown of collagen, and free radical scavenging...”
Green Tea
As A Treatment
“...In a recent study researchers found that Green Tea compounds not only directly scavenge free radicals but also enhance the effectiveness of the body's natural antioxidant systems...”
Hemochromatosis (Iron overload)
The Condition
“...Therefore, unbound iron accumulates and generates free radicals, leading to cellular injury of the liver and other organs...”
Relationship to Stroke
“...High body iron stores may increase free radical production in brain cells, thus prompting stroke progression...”
Recommendation Manganese
“Manganese can protect against the free radical damage from excess iron...”
Hot Drinks
As A Treatment
“...In this way, these compounds help protect the body against the damage that can be done by free radicals...”
Hyperbaric Oxygen
As A Treatment
“...Leukocyte oxidative killing leads to increased oxygen free radicals, which in turn helps with necrotizing soft-tissueinfections and chronic osteomyelitis...”
Hyperthyroidism
Recommendation Selenium
“...Selenium supplementation may lower free radical activity, which contributes to inflammation...”
Iron
As A Treatment
“...Instructions: Unfortunately, too much iron can lead to oxidative stress (forming excessive free radicals) and adhesion of blood cells...”
Korsakoff's Psychosis
Related Topic
“...It stems from the effects of the acetaldehyde that builds up in the liver and spills over into the bloodstream, where it creates free radicals that cause damage throughout the body...”
L-Arginine
As A Treatment
“...Arginine is also is a free radical scavenger, not only internally but externally, thus causing an anti-aging effect on the skin and the internal organs...”
L-Glutathione
As A Treatment
“...It protects tissues by neutralizing free radicals, and improves the immune system by promoting antigen presentation and stimulating CD8 cells...”
Lipoic acid
Related Topic
“(Thioctic Acid) A sulfur-containing coenzyme used in the energy process which is also an extremely powerful antioxidant capable of trapping many different types of free radicals in the body...”
Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement
The Condition
“...flushing Fatty Infiltration reduction Alcohol avoidance Low fat diet High water-insoluble fiber consumption Carnitine supplementation (other lipotropics less effective) Protection from free radical damage Vitamins C, E, Zinc, Selenium, Lipoic acid...”
Liver Detoxification Phase II Support
As A Treatment
“...This is achieved by various chemical reactions (such as oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis), and during this process free radicals are produced which, if excessive, can damage the liver cells...”
Liver Detoxification Profile
As A Treatment
“...assess the body's capacity to carry out detoxification through functional challenges - caffeine, acetaminophen, and salicylate - which evaluate specific aspects of the detoxification process and free radical damage...”
Lycopene
As A Treatment
“...Lycopene provides stronger antioxidant protection against certain types of free radicals, and may protect against particular cancers better than any nutrient presently known...”
Manganese
As A Treatment
“...An important antioxidant, manganese is one of the minerals required to form SOD (superoxide dismutase), one of the "bodyguard" enzymes that protects against unstable, cell-damaging free radicals...”
Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods)
Recommendation Vitamin E
Free radicals may have a causative role in endometrial bleeding, particularly in the presence of an intrauterine device...”
Ozone / Oxidative Therapy
As A Treatment
“...They increase the efficiency of the anti-oxidant enzyme system, which scavenges excess free radicals in the body...”
Peroxides
Related Topic
Free radicals that are by-products formed in our bodies when molecules of fat react with oxygen...”
Pineal
Related Topic
“...It is also a powerful antioxidant protecting the body from age-causing free radicals...”
Poor/Slow Wound Healing
Recommendation Aloe Vera
“...It has been suggested that aloe works as a free radical scavenger and improves blood flow to the wound [Heggers et al...”
Recommendation Superoxide Dismutase
“...They actually use free radicals to fight bacteria and to dispose of dead tissue...”
Pregnancy-Related Issues “Several studies imply that harmful free radicals called lipid peroxides contribute to preeclampsia [Khan KS, Chien Pl...”
Recommendation Vitamin E
“Several studies imply that harmful free radicals called lipid peroxides contribute to pre-eclampsia [Khan KS, Chien Pl...”
Premature/Signs of Aging
Recommendation Selenium
“Considered to be from 200 to 500 times more potent an antioxidant than vitamin E, selenium and vitamin E are synergistic as antioxidants and inhibit or prevent the damage to tissues by free radicals which have been cited as causal factors in heart disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis and aging...”
ROS
Related Topic
“...Molecules including free radicals and other oxygen species...”
Selegiline
As A Treatment
“...The most popular was the blockade of oxidation and, therefore, free radical formation...”
Silymarin / Milk Thistle
As A Treatment
“...Studies since the 1930s, conducted mainly in Germany, researched that the silymarin found in the herb works to stabilize liver cell membranes and act as an antioxidant to protect liver cells from free radical damage...”
Sunlight Exposure
As A Treatment
“...First, while ultraviolet radiation generates free radicals that can do damage, dietary antioxidants and skin pigmentation are nature's way of fighting free radicals...”
Syndrome X / Metabolic Syndrome
The Condition
“...Syndrome X also generates high levels of cell-damaging free radicals and causes premature aging, setting the stage for catastrophic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, cancer, and other age-related diseases...”
Recommendation Vitamin E
“Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that protects against free radical damage caused by high glucose and insulin levels in the blood...”
Recommendation Selenium
“Selenium is a mineral that works alongside vitamin E as part of the antioxidant protection against free radical damage caused by high insulin levels...”
Recommendation Alpha Lipoic Acid
“...ALA also helps to prevent free radical cellular damage caused by elevated insulin levels...”
Tendency To Sunburn Easily
The Condition
“...Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, which triggers the formation of cell-damaging free radicals, is a primary culprit in premature aging of your skin...” “Vitamins C and E, both anti-oxidants, help reduce the damage due to free radicals produced through exposure to UV light...”
Recommendation Vitamin E
“Vitamins C and E (antioxidants) help reduce the damage due to free radicals produced through exposure to UV light...”
Test Antioxidant Status
As A Treatment
“...At the molecular and cellular levels, antioxidants serve to deactivate free radicals, which usually come in the form of O2, the oxygen molecule...”
Thymic Factors
As A Treatment
“...Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, beta carotene and selenium help to protect the thymus from free radicals, unstable molecules that damage our cells...”
TMG (Tri-methyl-glycine)
As A Treatment
“...An extract from sugar beets, TMG is a natural polysaccharide and a good source of methyl groups that promotes healthier levels of the powerful pro-oxidant and free radical generator homocysteine...”
Vinegar
As A Treatment
“...The vitamin C and beta-carotene in cider vinegar destroy free radicals that weaken the immune system and increase the risk of various diseases...”
Vinpocetine
As A Treatment
“...Blood cell membranes lose flexibility under the influence of free radicals that oxidize some of their component lipids...”
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
As A Treatment
“...Thiamine is an antioxidant nutrient that helps the body to inhibit the formation of the damaging free radicals...”
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
As A Treatment
“...Vitamin B2 is an antioxidant nutrient that helps the body inhibit the formation of damaging free radicals...”
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
As A Treatment
“...It is an antioxidant nutrient that helps the body inhibit the formation of damaging free radicals; it lowers blood levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides...”
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
As A Treatment
“Vitamin B5 (also calcium pantothenate) is an antioxidant nutrient that helps the body inhibit the formation of damaging free radicals...”
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
As A Treatment
“...Vitamin B6 is an antioxidant nutrient that helps the body inhibit the formation of damaging free radicals...”
Vitamin B6 Requirement
The Condition
“...and plating materials and anti-tarnish agents used in metal manufacturing Tartrazine (yellow dye #5): From 1949-1970 nearly 1 million pounds per year were used in foods and medications Peroxides and free radicals found in abundance in our food supply as oxidized fats...”
Vitamin C Requirement
The Condition
“...Antioxidants help the body fight the effects of free radicals, which can damage the body's cells...”
Vitamin E
As A Treatment
“...Vitamin E works alongside other antioxidant nutrients including selenium, vitamin C, beta-carotene and others to quench free radicals, peroxides and other potentially harmful substances...”
Vitamin Paba
As A Treatment
“...PABA is an antioxidant nutrient that inhibits the formation of the damaging free radicals (unbonded oxygen molecules that cause aging and degeneration)...”
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
The Condition
“...It stems from the effects of the acetaldehyde that builds up in the liver and spills over into the bloodstream, where it creates free radicals that cause damage throughout the body...”