From the beginning of time, man has searched for a way to regain youth and retard

aging. Countless cures, remedies and potions have come along, each promising to be the real thing. Medical doctors have searched for an answer as to why people age and why the degenerative diseases take such a toll. The free radical theory attempts to explain these problems.

It is believed that man’s maximum lifespan depends primarily on genetics. Whether or not the lifespan is fulfilled is believed to be dependent on the damage that free radicals cause to DNA, leading to degenerative diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Humans are composed of 60 trillion highly specialized cells. These cells vary a great deal in structure and in the functions they perform. Free radicals are produced in our cells due to normal respiration and assimilation of sugar. Atoms normally contain an  even number of paired electrons. During chemical reactions, electrons become unpaired momentarily, allowing the reaction to occur. If for some reason, an electron becomes separated, it will cause an imbalance and become a free radical. This unbalanced free radical can damage cells that do not have sufficient enzyme coatings. These enzyme coatings are formed by catalase, reductase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. In healthy cells, these enzymes prevent cell damage from free radicals. When cellular health declines, free radicals are able to attack and cause damage. It is believed that degenerative disease is caused by this type of action. We can limit the damage caused by free radicals by arming ourselves with free radical scavengers. Some of these scavengers are Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and beta carotene, and selenium.