Sun protection and free radicals
Do you know what free radicals are? The human body is made up of billions of cells. Each cell is made up of molecules. Molecules are groups of one or more atoms linked by chemical bonds. Atoms in their nuclei are surrounded by negatively charged electrons, these electrons form the chemical bonds that make up molecules. The electrons are found orbiting the atoms creating equilibrium. Nature loves equilibrium. When equilibrium is lost because one or more of its electrons are unpaired, Free Radicals are generated. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have lost one or more electrons and are highly reactive. Their mission is to look for the missing electron or electrons in other molecules to obtain their stability. The attacked molecule from which it has stolen the electron becomes an R. L., and thus starts a chain reaction that damages many cells. Cell damage, mutation and cell death begin.
Antioxidant inhibits oxidation caused by free radicals
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting oxidation caused by free radicals by giving up electrons without losing its equilibrium.
Oxygen in the atmosphere, and especially the sun, causes free radicals to attack cells, precipitating cellular aging.
A paradox of metabolism is that while the vast majority of complex life requires oxygen for its existence, oxygen is a highly reactive molecule that can damage living things by producing reactive oxygen species. Therefore, organisms possess a complex network of antioxidant metabolites and enzymes that work together to prevent oxidative damage to cellular components such as DNA, proteins and lipids.
Vitamin B and E: the perfect antioxidant couple
Due to UV radiation, pollution and other factors, oxidation generates unstable derivatives of oxygen atoms in the skin cells, known as ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) or free radicals (see image).
Seeking stability, the radical oxygen steals electrons from neighboring atoms, which causes these atoms to seek new electron partners as well.
Over time, a domino effect is generated, initiating a chain reaction that leads the skin cells into an unstable state. As the reaction continues, the ROS destroy the cell membranes, putting the body under stress.
Vitamins B and E (antioxidants) can block oxidative stress by giving up electrons to stabilize free radicals (see image).
Today it is known that free radicals are the direct cause of cellular aging of our organism in general. The Dr. Denham Harman was the founding father of the F.R. theory to explain aging.
