Free Radicals Damage the MaculaWhat are Free Radicals?Free radicals are unstable electrons that cause damage to our cells and especially to the macula where there is a lot of oxidation. Many of the risk factors that contribute to the development of macular degeneration can be tied to these unpaired electrons and the damage they cause. "Almost every single one of the risk factors we have for macular degeneration can be linked to free radicals." Dr. Lylas G. Mogk, M. D. and author of Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight
The commonly known causes are:
smoking, car exhaust pesticides household cleaners environmental toxins in the air, food and water All of these result in free radical damage which are especially toxic to our eyes and to the rest of our body. Oxidation DefintiionEvery day activities and normal body mechanisms generate free radicals and cause oxidation.Free radicals are generated simply by eating, breathing, and exercising or if you've developed a cold or fighting a disease? Just by eating, as our bodies break down and metabolize food, they generate a lot of free radicals. Antioxidants Benefits“And without any antioxidants present, like those from colorful fruits and vegetables, for instance, there’s nothing to counteract this detrimental effect,” says Dr. Ronald Prior,a chemist at USDA’s Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center in Little Rock.
“We’re learning that antioxidants should be consumed with every meal,” says Prior. “And if you routinely skip antioxidants in your diet, over time, the excess number of free radicals being produced may begin damaging cellular components, ultimately leading to atherosclerosis, cancer, and other diseases.” Free Radicals and AntioxidantsFree radical damage is a very real concern - and I am not just talking about your eyes. Free radicals cause cell damage - at the DNA level - which can result in:
√ inflammation √ aging √ cancer √ degenerative diseases like macular degeneration and √ autoimmune disorders. How do they cause this damage? Free radicals are the result of normal chemical reactions in the body called oxidation which then leaves the body with thousands of unbalanced electrons which damages our cells. Keeping our free radicals in balance is extremely critical in the prevention of macular degeneration, in fighting disease in general, and in the aging battle. You can counteract the damaging affects of free radicals by including antioxidant foods in your diet. To learn how to include antioxidant foods into your diet click here:
Antioxidant Foods
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