Free Radical Theory

During aging, damage produced by free radicals cause cells and organs to stop functioning. The free radical theory of aging was conceived by Denham Harman in the 1950s, when prevailing scientific opinion held that free radicals were too unstable to exist in biological systems, and before anybody had invoked free radicals as a cause of degenerative diseases.

Free Radical Theory

The free radical grabs a electron from any molecule it its vicinity. It does this because electrons like to exist in pairs. When it grabs an electron from another molecule, it damages the other molecule.

Free Radical Theory

Some of the molecules that may be damaged by free radicals are fats, proteins, and DNA (both in the nucleus and in mitochondria). If membrane fats are attacked, then you get the breakdown of the cell membrane. If it is a red blood cell membrane, you get hemolysis. If proteins are attacked, you get the breakdown of proteins, which may result in the loss of biological function and the accumulation of catastrophic compounds. If DNA is attacked, you will get a mutation that may cause aging or cancer.

Free Radicals

As the free radical (green) attacks the membrane it can release another type free radical (blue).

Damaged membrane

mitochondrion

The free radical (blue) attacks the DNA releasing another free radical (purple).

Free Radical Theory

Free radicals do not go unchecked. The body has a multi-layed defense system that reacts and detoxifies the damaging radicals. Defenses include:
Natural antioxidants in the body, such as bilirubin. Enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, & glutathione peroxidase. Dietary antioxidants such as beta carotene, and the vitamins C and E.

Free Radical Theory

Under normal conditions, your natural defense mechanisms prevent most of the oxidative damage from occurring.

The free radical theory of aging proposes that, little-by-little, small amounts of damage accumulate and contribute to deterioration of tissues and organs.

anti-oxidant molecule

repaired membrane

damaged DNA

The anti-oxidant molecule destroys the damaging free radical. The membrane repairs itself, but the DNA remains damaged, impairing the cells function. In addition, the anti-oxidant molecule now has an unpaired electron and thus becomes a new radical.

Free Radical Theory

For example, when Vitamin E scavenges free radicals, it becomes a free radical and may be more carcinogenic than the original free radical.
This is the reason why taking high doses of vitamin E SUPPLEMENTS appears to INCREASE cancer risk in a person, not decrease cancer risk.

Free Radical Theory

Not all free radicals cause damage. You use free radicals as part of your immunological response system.
Macrophages engulf bacteria Free radical reactions produced inside the macrophage oxidize and kill bacteria.