Free Radicals: What are They and How Do They Affect the Body?
Free radicals are a natural byproduct of our day-to-day lives, and the damage they cause cannot be repaired by the body on its own. They can be found in cigarette smoke, alcohol consumption, and even air pollution. These free radicals accumulate over time and cause oxidative stress on the body’s cells.
As free radicals continue to build up, they attack DNA molecules, causing damage that cannot be repaired by the body on its own.
This article discusses free radicals and how they can affect your cells in your body through a variety of ways such as air pollution or alcohol consumption. It will explain how AC-11 is a DNA repair supplement that helps fight free radicals.
The article also talks about how clinical trials show that after taking the supplement, there can be as much as 34% less oxidative stress in cells and 33% more energy levels.
If you’re looking for an all natural way to help your body combat some of these external free radicals, take a look at AC-11.
What are free radicals?
Over 100 years ago, a scientist named Antoine Henri Becquerel discovered what he called “free radicals.” These free radicals are a type of molecule that has an unpaired electron and is usually found in oxygen-rich environments like our bodies or foods.
Free radicals are reactive molecules that can damage healthy cells and DNA, leading to disease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one type of free radical that is created when your body breaks down chemicals in foods or the environment such as air pollution or alcohol consumption. These ROS attack our DNA causing a defense mechanism called oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is where the body’s cells produce more free radicals than they can counter with antioxidants. The free radicals react with the cell’s DNA, which can lead to a build-up of oxidative stress that damages cells and their ability to function properly.
Free radicals can do some very bad things to your cells, such as starting chemical reactions called oxidation which break down fats, proteins, sugars, lipids, and DNA.
When DNA is damaged it can’t replicate correctly, so this leads to diseases like cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. This process happens naturally in our bodies but there are ways you can
AC-11 is a plant extract that targets free radicals, helping your body counter oxidative stress more efficiently by repairing the damage to our cells caused by reactive oxygen species. It’s been shown to increase levels of glutathione in rats who were exposed to cigarette smoke. Glutathione helps boost the body’s natural defenses against oxidative stress and helps protect cells from free radical damage.
The AC-11 plant extract can be found in supplements, which you should take as directed on the package label or as prescribed by your doctor.
Free radicals and oxidative stress
Free radicals and oxidative stress are the two main contributing factors to cellular aging. As free radicals continue to build up, they attack DNA molecules causing damage that cannot be repaired by the body on its own. With enough of these attacks, cells will start dying off and eventually lead you down a path towards diseases like cancer or Alzheimer’s disease.
How do free radicals attack DNA
Free radicals attack DNA by binding to it and attaching themselves. With the free radical attached, they can cause damage that cannot be repaired on its own.
AC-11 is a DNA repair supplement that helps in attack free radicals. It binds with them so there’s no chance of doing any further damage to your cells or DNA molecules.
What causes free radicals?
There are many things that can cause free radicals. Some of the biggest contributors to increased production include:
- Smoking cigarettes
- Drinking alcohol excessively
- Eating a high-fat diet (i.e., french fries)
It’s important to note that too much exercise, stress, and pollution also contribute to free radical production.
Can free radicals be stopped?
Free radicals can be stopped by using supplements such as AC-11. Using DNA repair supplements can help attack free radicals by binding with them so there’s no chance of doing any further damage to your cells or DNA molecules.
The body has its own way of repairing damaged DNA, but it can’t always keep up when the demand for repairs becomes too high and you
Exercise and free radicals
Researchers have discovered that the most effective way to fight free radicals is through exercise. They recommend this because it helps produce cells that will help stop and repair DNA damage caused by free radicals in the body.
In addition, researchers were able to show that exercise increased levels of enzymes called superoxide dismutases (SOD) which are capable of scavenging those free radicals.
SOD is the most potent antioxidant in our body and it’s responsible for scavenging free radicals. When you exercise, your SOD levels increase which can help reduce any damage done by free radicals to cells or DNA molecules.
SOD is an enzyme that works as a one-two punch. It detoxifies any free radical by combining with it and then converting into hydrogen peroxide, which can be safely broken down in the body.
There are two types of SOD enzymes: copper-zinc and manganese. Copper-zinc SOD can detoxify hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide, while manganese SOD is capable of eliminating superoxides. Superoxides affect the body’s cells by damaging the DNA, leading to cancer.
How do free radicals affect the body?
Free radicals are caused by a variety of factors in our lives including pollution, stress, overexertion during exercise; these all cause your cells to produce reactive
The body produces SOD naturally, but it can’t keep up with the amount of free radicals we produce over a lifetime, so there’s an urgent need for external intervention in order to protect our DNA molecules from damage.
Collagen is found in all connective tissue and it’s responsible for repairing the body and rejuvenating skin. It also helps prevent free radical damage to cells by facilitating healthy blood flow, which means it can help slow down the aging process too. Collagen makes up about 70% of the skin’s dry weight.
The body produces collagen itself, but because aging and environmental factors reduce production of this protein by as much as 30% to 40%, we need external help too.
AC-11 is a natural enzyme that works within cells to boost the production of healthy new cells in your tissues. This means it can also treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis
How do free radicals affect the skin?
Free radicals are molecules that have unpaired electrons and can cause the body a lot of damage. They react with DNA, proteins and lipids within cells to create oxidative stress which is responsible for aging skin, wrinkles and sagging skin.
Free radical production increases by as much as 50% after age 35 so it’s important to take care of the body and its cells. You can take care of your body and its cells by attacking the free radicals with antioxidant supplements such as AC-11.
Types of free radicals
There are three types of free radicals:
- Types one and two: These reactive oxygen species (ROS) were first discovered in the late 1800s. They can react with many molecules like proteins, lipids and DNA to cause oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also known as “free radicals.”
- -Type three: These nitric oxide radicals (NOS) were only discovered in the 1990s. They are called hydroperoxides and they can react with fats to cause oxidative stress. They can damage proteins, lipids and DNA, but play an important role in the immune system by killing bacteria.
Is one free radical worse than another?
Type three is more likely to damage cells and tissues, but the other two are also bad. Type one radicals can cause inflammation while type two can destroy protein structures.
Some antioxidants like vitamin E neutralize free radicals by donating electrons so they don’t have an unpaired electron that causes it to be reactive with molecules in the body.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules that can neutralize free radicals.
- Vitamin C is an antioxidant and it has been shown to increase collagen production, which makes the skin more elastic and less prone to wrinkles. Vitamin C increases collagen production by boosting the activity of a gene called “collagen synthase” in skin cells.
- Grapefruit extract has been shown to protect against sun damage and may be helpful for people with psoriasis or rosacea. You can get grapefruit extract by drinking grapefruit juice or eating fresh fruit.
- Lycopene, a plant carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, may help protect against prostate cancer
- Lutein is an antioxidant that protects the eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Vitamin A also helps fight aging by boosting immunity and reducing inflammation caused by UV radiation exposure. Vitamin D activates a protein called matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) that breaks down the protein collagen and other proteins in skin tissue.
What is collagen synthase
Vitamin C increases collagen production by boosting the activity of a gene called “collagen synthase” in skin cells, while vitamin A reduces inflammation caused by UV radiation exposure. Vitamin D activates a protein called matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) that breaks down the protein collagen and other proteins in skin tissue.
Collagen synthase has been shown to play a role in wound healing, acne vulgaris, and skin aging. Collagen synthase does this by increasing the production of collagen and improving its quality.
Can free radicals be stopped
Antioxidants can help stop free radicals in the body from damaging DNA and cell membranes.
- Vitamin C, E or bioflavonoids are all strong antioxidants that may be helpful to prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals.
- Antioxidants work with vitamins A, D, and beta carotene to form an antioxidant team that can protect your DNA from free radical damage.
- Vitamin C and vitamin E work together to repair the lipid layer of cell membranes, preventing them from becoming oxidized (damaged).
- Selenium can also help block production of free radicals by inhibiting an enzyme called xanthine oxidase.
But antioxidants are not always enough! That’s why you need DNA repair supplements.
AC-11 contains a patented extract of the Himalayan snow plant, which has been shown to help block free radical damage in cells.
AC-11 is an antioxidant and antiinflammatory that can be used as a preventive measure against skin aging or it may also be taken after UV exposure when your skin becomes irritated, inflamed or broken out.
Antioxidants come in many varieties and forms. One great way to get them is by eating vegetables! AC-11 can be taken as a supplement to make up for the lack of an ideal diet. And it’s good insurance against aging skin too. Your choice – prevention or repair?
Examples of free radicals
Oxidative stress is caused by reactive oxygen species. Free radicals can damage delicate cellular structures and DNA, which in turn leads to an increased risk of cancer or cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress is also the cause of inflammation, and is a major contributor to acne breakouts.
It’s called oxidative stress because the reactive oxygen species (free radicals) set off a chain reaction that produces more of themselves, which then damages cells and DNA. Free radicals are created when our body’s cells do not get enough oxygen during aerobic respiration (which is where glucose breaks down for energy). This lack of oxygen leads to an increased production of free radicals, which can lead to cancer or cardiovascular disease.
The body has its own defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. Regular exercise can help generate new mitochondria in muscle cells to fight free radical damage. In addition, antioxidants such as vitamins A and C are commonplace in our diets from fruits and vegetables.
Oxidative stress can be combatted with the use of a DNA repair supplement that helps attack free radicals. The body’s defense mechanisms are not foolproof and there will always be some oxidative damage to our cells. Taking DNA repair supplements over time ensures that we have enough antioxidants in order to combat these problems.
Free radicals in food
A number of items in our diets can cause free radical damage to the body. The beneficial effects of antioxidants are canceled out when we eat too many unhealthy foods such as processed oils, sugar-rich and highly refined carbohydrates, or even dairy products from cows who were fed antibiotics or genetically engineered grains.
Finally, exposure to environmental toxins is a major contributor to oxidative stress.
So what should you do? Eat a diet with lots of healthy fats, vegetables and lean protein sources as well as taking DNA repair supplements over time to ensure that we have enough antioxidants in order to combat these problems.
Are there benefits to free radicals
Are you wondering if there are benefits to free radicals?
Free radicals are everywhere, and they’re not going anywhere. They form when a molecule loses an electron (or two), which creates what is known as oxidative stress within our cells. Free radical damage can lead to DNA mutations that cause cancerous tumors or other diseases like Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s Disease, so it would seem like a pretty good idea to avoid it.
However, there are many benefits of free radicals that have been discovered over the years.
One study found that oxidative stress is needed for cellular DNA repair and preventing mutations from accumulating when cells divide. Without oxidative stress, we would start developing cancerous tumors because our bodies wouldn’t be able to adapt or repair the DNA damages that keep accumulating.
A study last year by scientists at University of Texas-Austin found a previously unknown role for free radicals in cellular signaling and gene regulation, including how cells respond to stressors like UV light or physical injury. All these studies show just how important it is to maintain balance between our body’s production of reactive oxygen species and the body’s innate antioxidant defenses.
Causes of oxidative damage and free radicals
There are many causes of oxidative damage and free radicals, including the following:
- Aging.
- Theoretically, smoking can also trigger oxidative damage because it contains acetaldehyde.
- Obesity and diabetes increases risk for cancer.
- Physical activity can cause free radical production in some individuals. For example, marathon runners may experience an increase in reactive oxygen species as part of their adaptive response to exercise-induced muscle damage.
- UV radiation from the sun can cause oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids in skin cells when not protected by sunscreen
- Alcohol consumption has been shown to increase reactive oxygen species levels through a poorly understood mechanism that is likely related to acetaldehyde toxicity.
- Exposure to toxic metals, such as mercury and lead
- Occupational exposures through welding or chemical exposure.
- Certain medications may also cause oxidative damage by disrupting the activity of antioxidant enzymes in cells
- Some medications that increase oxidative damage are acetaminophen—which is found in Tylenol, for example—and some other medications prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- Exposure to high levels of radiation may lead to cancer by damaging the DNA in cells.
- Research has shown that certain types of bacteria found on toothbrushes can produce a chemical called chloroform, which is known to trigger oxidative damage.
- Radiation therapy also produces free radicals and can lead to DNA damage in cells.
How do you fight free radicals?
Free radicals can be fought with certain antioxidants, such as alpha lipoic acid. In addition to taking supplements, one may also fight free radicals by reducing their exposure in the environment (e.g., through wearing sunscreen) and limiting alcohol consumption.
There are many natural ways of fighting free radicals including: diet, exercise, antioxidants (AC-11), fish oil supplements, and probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help the body maintain healthy levels of inflammation.
The right diet and exercise can also minimize oxidative damage by limiting exposure to high-calorie foods, cigarettes, excessive stress, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoke (or other substances), and certain medications such as acetaminophen.
Fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as improve cardiovascular health
Probiotics help maintain a healthy gut microbiome by keeping free radical levels low and improving immune system function.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important
The best way to fight free radicals is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to adopt an anti-aging or longevity diet and exercise regularly, as well as take supplements such as AC-11.
Studies show that the right diet and exercise can minimize oxidative damage by limiting exposure to high calorie foods, cigarettes, and stress.
It’s also important to regularly drink green tea, which has been shown in studies to have powerful antioxidant properties that fight free radicals.
Avoid unhealthy habits that increase oxidative damage like smoking or consuming drugs.
If you find yourself in an emergency situation without access to fresh food, maintain proper hydration by drinking bottled water and eating canned goods (e.g., beans). If possible, eat some raw fruits or vegetables.
Avoiding excessive sun exposure or alcohol consumption is also important for reducing oxidative damage.
Regularly eating antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, green tea, and fruits can help reduce free radical exposure.
Benefits of AC-11
If you do not have access to these food items or a lot of time, it’s best to take supplements like AC-11 that can provide the same benefits in an emergency
AC-11 is a DNA repair supplement that helps in attack free radicals. It binds with them so there’s no chance of doing any further damage to your cells or DNA molecules. When you take this natural supplement regularly, it will work to stop these dangerous particles from causing more harm.
Some studies have shown that AC-11 has the ability to destroy free radicals before they can cause any damage, making it a powerful antioxidant.
The benefits of DNA repair supplements include lowering oxidative stress in people with high levels of inflammation and reducing chronic pain associated with arthritis or other conditions involving excessive muscle use or injury. Chronic pain is also reduced with the help of this natural supplement.
This may sound like an expensive product, but you actually only need to take one or two daily doses for it to be effective.
There are many other perks to taking this natural supplement. It can help you lower your cholesterol and prevent heart disease, it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that will reduce inflammation in the body while making it easier for blood vessels to dilate so they can better supply nutrients throughout the body, which reduces hair loss.
BHIP Global retails a variety of health supplements, including AC-11. Check out our review of BHIP Global here.
I buy and review courses so you don’t have to. Sometimes, I even find courses that are legitimate and worthwhile; and that’s how I accidentally came across one that led me to building a 6-figure business in a little under 5 years. Now, I still review courses because it’s my favorite hobby. 🙂 Learn more about me here.
