What is a free radical?
A free radical is a highly unstable molecule that is naturally formed when a person exercises and when the body coverts food into energy. (1)
What does a free radical do?
Excess free radicals in the body can increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. (2)
How are free radicals produced?
The body generates free radicals in response to environmental insults, such as tobacco smoke, ultraviolet rays, and air pollution. (3)
Free radicals are a natural byproduct of normal processes in cells. (3)
When the immune system musters to fight intruders, for example, the oxygen it uses spins off an army of free radicals that destroy viruses, bacteria, and damaged body cells in an oxidative burst. (3)
Some normal production of free radicals occurs during exercise. (3)
Resources
1. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/corn-oil#nutrition
3 https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-antioxidants
