We often hear the term “antioxidants” or Antioxidant in advertisements, but many people still do not know what free radicals and antioxidants are, where they come from, and whether they are truly beneficial to the body. Today, we will clarify these doubts and get to know them better.
Free Radicals are molecules or atoms that have lost electrons, causing instability in their energy. This leads to reactions where they steal electrons from other molecules, resulting in changes and damage to the structure of those molecules. Free radicals can be generated from both internal and external factors, as follows:
- Internal free radicals mostly come from the metabolic processes in cells to produce energy, specifically in the mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouse. Therefore, if we consume more food than needed, the body will increase metabolism, which in turn produces more free radicals.
- Free radicals generated from external stimulating factors that increase free radicals in the body include UV radiation, pollution smoke, smoking, bacterial or viral infections, consumption of fried, stir-fried, or grilled foods, as well as physical and mental stress (such as sleep deprivation, dieting, or intense exercise).
When free radicals are produced, our body has mechanisms to fight or eliminate these toxins by producing “antioxidants” to counteract them. However, when the amount of free radicals exceeds the capacity of antioxidants to manage, these harmful free radicals begin to slowly damage cells in the body without us realizing it. This condition is called “Oxidative Stress”, which leads to degenerative diseases of various organs, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, dementia, cataracts, obesity, and even cancer.
Therefore, if we want to prevent the body from aging prematurely or deteriorating, we should protect ourselves before cells are damaged by avoiding the stimulating factors that cause free radicals as mentioned above and increasing antioxidant intake from vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, minerals, and various phytonutrients. For more specific health care options, advanced technology now allows us to measure the levels of different antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, lycopene, beta-carotene, and coenzyme Q10. This helps us choose the necessary and beneficial nutrients to prevent diseases more accurately and effectively.
Dr. Methchanan Lertchunhakiet
Physician, Anti-Aging Medicine Center
Phyathai 3 Hospital
