Harnessing Health: Understanding the Impact of Free Radicals and Antioxidants on Your Well-being

This is a summary of the research paper "Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health" published in the International Journal of Biomedical Science in June 2008 by Lien Ai Pham-Huy, Hua He, and Chuong Pham-Huy.

Free radicals and oxidants play a dual role in the body - they can be both helpful and harmful. At moderate levels, they are produced naturally during cell metabolism and support immune function. But at high levels, they cause oxidative stress which contributes to chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.

The body has defense mechanisms against oxidative stress, including antioxidant enzymes and antioxidants from foods. Common dietary antioxidants include vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids, selenium, flavonoids, and omega-3 fatty acids. These compunds neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage.

Oxidative stress contributes to many diseases:

Cancer - Free radicals can damage DNA and cause mutations leading to cancer.

Cardiovascular disease - Oxidative damage is implicated in atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure.

Neurodegenerative disease - Oxidative stress plays a key role in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia.

Lung diseases like asthma and COPD - Free radicals trigger inflammation in the lungs.

Diabetes - High blood sugar causes more free radical production.

Pre-eclampsia in pregnancy - Oxidative damage affects placenta function.

Antioxidant foods and supplements may help prevent disease, but evidence is still limited regarding dosages and long-term impacts for specific conditions. While antioxidant supplements are popular, the most benefits seem to come from antioxidants consumed in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, tea, whole grains and nuts.

In conclusion, oxidative stress contributes to many chronic diseases while dietary antioxidants may help prevent these conditions. More research is still needed to make specific recommendations, but eating a diet high in antioxidant foods appears beneficial for overall health. Avoiding sources of free radicals like smoking and pollution can also help reduce oxidative damage in the body.

Pham-Huy LA, He H, Pham-Huy C. Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. Int J Biomed Sci. 2008 Jun;4(2):89-96. PMID: 23675073; PMCID: PMC3614697.