Oxidation and It’s Harmful Effects in The Body

Red Blood Cells

Oxidation is the process whereby the body cells are attacked and get damaged by the prescence of free unstable oxygen atoms that lack an electron. These are referred to as the destructive oxygen or free radicals. Oxygen is the gas that we adore so much because it gives us life. Our bodies need oxygen to help in the energy production within our body cells. We now even know better about the value of oxygen administration due to the covid19 pandemic. Oxygen is life. Without oxygen there would be no life on planet earth. We breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide. We know that plants take in this carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. This symbiotic relationship emphasizes the interdependence between man and plants. We need one another.

Chronic degenerative conditions

However, the oxygen story also has a bad side. We have destructive unstable oxygen. We have oxygen that’s missing an election in it’s molecular structure. They are very unstable and can attack cells causing damage. This is actually the precursor of chronic degenerative diseases e.g. diabetes, cancer, arthritis, heart disease etc. These destructive oxygen are referred to as free radicals. They are capable of promoting the deposition of bad cholesterol in the arteries. This results in arteriosclerosis. Constriction and hardening of arteries that may promote high blood pressure, cardiac problems and strokes occurs. This process is described as oxidation of the cells. It’s comparable to rusting of iron when exposed to moisture and oxygen. The iron becomes rusty. It looks aged. That’s what these free radicals do to our body cells increasing the aging process of our cells, tissues and organs. How does the body neutralise this damaging effect?

Antioxidants

Our body produces substances that are classified as antioxidants. The foods we eat also provide a rich amount of these vital antioxidant substances. They help in the capturing and neutralisation of these cell damaging free radicals. Some important sources of these natural antioxidants include:

  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Grains
  • Nuts

It is therefore highly recommended that your diet should be comprised of this group of foods. They will help prevent, halt or even reverse chronic degenerative diseases.

Refined foods

There are foods such as processed and refined that promote the formation of free radicals in the body. Therefore somebody consuming a lot of these foods, lacking antioxidants from the sources above, becomes a high list candidate for a chronic degenerative disorder. Examples are cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, arthritis, heart attacks and strokes.

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By Alfred Okoko

Inspiring and empowering people to achieve excellence in the game of life

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