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What Is the Function of Free Radicals in Mitochondrial Function?

Free radicals are unpaired atoms that roam around in your body and eventually encounter a cell in which they damage, causing the body to slowly age. In fact the theory of how and why the body ages is that free radicals, over the course of a lifetime, eventually damage enough cells that we grow old and die. Free radicals are produced in the mitochondria of cells, where they are produced by atoms that lose an electron.

  1. How Free Radicals Form

    • In the mitochondria of a cell, which is the energy-producing part of the cell, atoms are formed with paired electrons. When an atom loses one of these electrons, and has an odd number of electrons instead of an even number, it becomes a free radical. The most frequent radical produced is Oxygen. This is because mitochondria pass molecules through the electron transport train to build energy for the body, oxygen being its main fuel. During this process, if an electron is not passed correctly, an odd numbered atom, or free radical, is formed.

    Free Radicals and Cells

    • Electrons attract other electrons, meaning that free radicals move around the body until they encounter other atoms to attach to, converting them to free radicals as well and starting a chain reaction. The mitochondria of cells also store some of their DNA, which is vital to their survival. When a free radical damages the mitochondrial DNA of a cell, the mitochondria can stop producing energy and shut down, causing the cell to die.

    Free Radical and Aging

    • When enough cells become damaged from free radicals, aging occurs and the organism advances towards a natural death. Free radical damage can also cause cellular mutations, setting the stage for cancerous growth. When cells are damaged by free radicals and forced to shut down, the process is known as oxidation.

    Protection against Free Radicals

    • The body is constantly producing free radicals, which roam around damaging the mitochondrial DNA of other cells. Certain substances, known as antioxidants, have been found to be able to stop free radicals by eliminating the unpaired oxygen molecule and converting them back to evenly paired, or normal, atoms. These antioxidants are found in a wide range of substances including teas, fruits, vegetables and many other common foods. Eating plenty of antioxidants can help protect your mitochondrial DNA from oxidative damage by free radicals and slow down the aging process.

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