How To Prevent Free Radical Damage

Aging is a slow progression of damage that can be caused by free radicals.

These destructive free radicals are minute particles which are unstable because they contain an unpaired electron. They quickly set up chain reactions in the body, like a domino effect, where one free radical takes an electron from the molecule next to it to make up a pair. The next one becomes a free radical and that takes another electron from a nearby molecule and so on until something stops the process (usually an antioxidant).

Unfortunately when free radicals occur in our cells they damage each molecule in the chain and the ce lls don’t fully recover. Over time they can affect the whole body and contribute to loss of sight, hearing and other organ failures.

We can’t see what’s going on at the molecular level, so the damage doesn’t start showing up until whole groups of cells have been affected, such as when our skin loses its elasticity or we get wrinkles. Strong sunlight and pollution generate free radicals in the skin so the parts of the body most exposed to the sun and the environment show the first signs of aging.

All it takes to stop a cascade of free radicals is a molecule that acts as an antioxidant appearing in the right place at the right time. Antioxidants can give free radicals an electron to complete a pair without becoming unstable in the process. So the domino effect is halted and no further damage occurs.

We get antioxidants in three ways. Firstly, we can make them in our bodies, but they seem to become less available as we age. Secondly, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables provides protective antioxidants, but I’m sure my diet is inadequate. And thirdly, we can absorb them through our skin.

In the last 10 years clinical studies have shown that regular use of products containing antioxidants really can protect or reduce wrinkles. (Like most things though, it’s best not to over do it. Too many antioxidants applied to the skin could cause irritation.)

I’ve already been eating more oils to increase my intake of antioxidants and essential fatty acids . Now I’ve realised I can boost my intake simply by feeding my skin.  So I’ve started to use oil on my body after a bath or by having a massage. I’ve made a blend of rosehip oil and sunflower oil as a kind of multivitamin for the skin. It's such a pleasant way to improve my health, I don't know why I didn't think of it a long time ago when I learned we can absorb nutrients through the skin.