Antioxidant and Free Radicals

What are free radicals? Why are they damaging to the human body? And how does vitamin E and the other antioxidant nutrients help protect the body against free radical damage?

In this article, we will attempt to answer all your questions about antioxidant and free radicals, plus help you understand why it is so important to include rich sources of antioxidant nutrients in your daily diet.

A Little Background on Chemical Bonding

When talking about antioxidant and free radicals, we can’t help but touch a little on biochemistry. You probably remember from your old high school days that the human body is composed of many different cells and each cell is composed of many different molecules. Molecules consist of one or more atoms of one or more elements joined together by chemical bonds.

A typical atom is comprised of a nucleus â€" neutrons, protons, and electrons. Electrons are those negatively charged particles that orbit the cluster of protons in an atom. When there are eight electrons in an orbit, it means that that particular orbit (or shell as it is called) is full which further means the atom is stable. Stable atoms tend not to enter into chemical reactions. Because atoms seek to reach a state of maximum stability, an atom will try to fill its shell with electrons by:

• Gaining or losing electrons to either fill or empty its outer shell

• Sharing its electrons by bonding together with other atoms in order to complete its outer shell

Free Radicals: The Formation

The free radicals are formed when weak bonds between atoms are split. Free radicals contain an odd, unpaired electron which causes them to be very unstable and react quickly with other compounds. Because it is the nature of free radicals, which is basically an atom with an unpaired electron, to achieve stability, they will try to do so by capturing the needed electron from other molecules. When the free radicals steel electrons from a stable molecule, that molecule will become a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process of free radicals formation is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of a living cell.

Antioxidants: Natural Enemies of Free Radicals

Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E are thought to protect the body against the destructive effects of free radicals. What antioxidants do is neutralize the free radicals. Antioxidants do this by donating one of their own electrons, thus ending the electron-”stealing” reaction.

Antioxidant Food

You’re probably already familiar with antioxidant foods. If not your doctor, then you’ve probably heard about them more than once from your mom. “Eat your veggies. An apple a day…” Sound familiar?

While it’s quite true that there’s nothing healthier than including fresh produce in your diet, there is actually another reason why doctors insist on a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. The answer may lie in antioxidant foods.

Antioxidant foods are powerful scavengers of free radicals. The function of antioxidant foods is to hunt down free radicals and destroy them.

What are Free Radicals?

Free radicals are highly reactive chemical substances that are produced when the body undergoes the process of oxidation. The reason that free radicals are highly reactive is that they lack electrons, which cause them to be highly unstable. To achieve maximum stability, free radicals therefore steal electrons from other molecules around them and in so doing, destroy the cell membranes and weaken the cell.

Free radicals cause a chain reaction of “electron stealing” because the minute they start taking away electrons from other molecules, those molecules become free radicals themselves. Massive destruction ensues, leading to such disorders as Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, cancer, senility, and more.

How Antioxidant Foods Work

Oxidation is a naturally occurring process in the body so there is really no way for us to avoid or prevent it from happening. Even the mere act of breathing causes oxidation to take place. That being said, free radicals, as by-products of oxidation, will always be present in our body.

But what if there is a way for us to retard the development of free radicals? What if there is a way to break the free radical chain reaction? What if there is a way to prevent those diseases caused by harmful free radicals from developing?

Yes, indeed, there is a way. Antioxidant foods are powerful substances that can neutralize free radicals before they damage your body’s cells. This is the major reason why scientists are continuing to conduct studies on antioxidant foods and the benefits that the body can incur from them.

Antioxidant Foods: Which Foods?

As mentioned earlier, many foods with high antioxidant levels are vegetables and fruits. Tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers â€" these are but a few of the many antioxidant foods out there. However, you should note that not all vegetables are high sources of antioxidant foods. Some vegetables or fruits may have lesser amount or concentration of antioxidant foods as other vegetables. For instance, white grapes don’t have the same amount of antioxidant foods as the grapes used in making red wine.

The Lowdown on Laser Acne Treatment

Acne is a very common skin problem, especially among your people. As a proof that it is indeed very common, we see a lot of commercially available treatments for this skin disorder. And acne treatments come in many sizes and forms. There are anti-acne creams, ointments, facial washes, lotions, etc.

Apart from anti-acne products there are also treatments to acne. These treatments are commonly performed by dermatologists. These treatments cost more money than commercially available solutions to acne but their effect is more lasting and the results are quickly seen.

One anti-acne treatment that has been around for several years already is laser treatment. Over the last few years, laser acne treatment has quickly replaced other more traditional methods of treating acne. The reason why more and more people are using this form of treatment is the fact that it provides faster and longer-lasting results.

So how is laser acne treatment performed?

In laser acne treatment a laser pen is used by a dermatologist. The doctor holds this pen just above the acne or acne scar tissue. The laser pen emits concentrated beams of light. What dermatologists do is move the laser pen back and forth over the acne or scar to vaporize the unwanted tissues.

This back and forth motion also stimulates the growth of new skin cells. It is actually prove n that new collagen, the protein in the skin’s connective tissue that gives skin its texture, is formed after laser acne treatment.

Is laser acne treatment safe and painless?

Two of the best things about laser acne treatment is that is safe and painless. The only “side-effect” that the patient will experience is some swelling and bruising. This is normal and would only last for about seven or ten days. After the bruising and swelling are gone, the patient can already wear make-up.

Is laser acne treatment for you?

If you have light colored skin, then laser acne treatment is definitely for you. This treatment can greatly improve the quality of your skin. But if you dark colored or toned skin, you might want to think twice before undergoing laser acne treatment.

This is because laser acne treatment can alter the color and texture of the skin dramatically. It also sometimes produces unpredictable results. There are some doctors though who believe that laser acne treatment is perfect for dark-colored women who want to lighten up their skin.

How much does laser acne treatment cost?

A full face laser acne treatments cost between $2,000 to $3,000. This price is definitely very expensive compared to other types of anti-acne treatments but as said earlier, the results with laser acne treatment is seen much more quickly and it is more lasting.

Where should you go for a good laser acne treatment?

To be sure that you will get proper a laser acne treatment, consult only with a license dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Never ever go to a fly-by-night practitioner even if he or she offers the laser acne treatment at a lot less.

You could be saving a lot of money from these practitioners but you could end up with a much worse condition than the one you had when your first came in. This is why it is very important to first ask the practitioner before letting yourself be treated. Remember that you face is a very precious thing so entrust it only to experts.

Treating Back Acne

Although acne is more frequently found on the face, there are instances when acne skips that part of the skin and goes to other parts of thee body such as the back, the chest and the buttocks. There are still no clear explanation why this happens except that maybe oil glands in affected parts of the body are more active than those in the face.

The cause of acne is actually the same as the causes of acne on the face. Often, eruptions are caused by the over activity of the oil glands that produce excess sebum on the skin. Experts believe that this is mainly due to changes in the body brought about by the male hormones testosterone and androgen. When there is overproduction of oil on the skin, hair follicles on the face, dead skin cells on the lining of the pores and dirt from the surrounding areas all combine to trap the sebum into the pores causing the swelling.

When this happens, resident bacteria that are normally found in the pores are activated, thus causing the skin eruptions. There are also times when bacteria outside come into the picture and settle on the pores of the skin. To fight off the attack, the body send white blood cells on the area. This then results in further swelling.

Still, many believe that body acne, particularly back acne is more of a hereditary problem than a hygienic one. People who have family history of acne are more prone to develop this kind of acne problem. There are also evidences that perspiration and tight fitting clothes may also help develop the problem. This is perhaps the reason why a lot of really active people, especially those that deal with a variety of sports have back acne.
Spandex for instance traps perspiration and dirt on the skin. When these two mixes with the natural oils produced by the body, acne can come about. Blemishes in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, papules and postules may appear.

Compared to facial acne, back acne and other types of body acne is harder to treat. They also do not respond well to scarring treatment. This is why it is important that one nip the problem in the bud before it spreads to other areas of the body. Aggressive treatment is often called for as this problem can be really stubborn.

Often, dermatologists will prescribe oral medicines, antibiotics, to help fight the problem. Medicines such as tetracycline or minocycline can often be found on the prescription paper. Retin A and benzoyl peroxide are also other options. If the problem still persists, accutane is often prescribed as a last resort because of its side effects.

Milder cases of back acne is treated with salicylic-acid cleanser. Patients are advised to wash the area every day for optimum results. They are also asked to take a shower after perspiring so as to minimize the development of the acne problem. Benzoyl peroxide is also applied on the problem area. Benzoyl has been proven to be quite effective in fighting off the problem. This is followed by a moisturizer made from alpha hydroxy acid. This will help exfoliate the skin while making sure that it does not dry out. Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide are also used to treat the pimples individually.

As pieces of advice, people dealing with back acne or other forms of body acne should avoid wearing spandex clothes. As much as possible, they should wear cotton and should keep dry all the time. Apply powder or antiperspirant to prevent excessive sweating. Being hygienic and clean all the time will also help minimize the problem.

Tips for Managing Pet Allergies

Do you suspect that you have a pet allergy? If you do, you may be looking for ways to seek relief or you may be looking for tips on how you can manage having a pet allergy. If you are, you will want to continue reading on, as a few helpful tips are outlined below.

Although there are a number of steps that you can take to treat or manage allergies that are due to pets, it is first important to make sure that you do have a pet allergy. Visit a healthcare provider or do your own experiments at home or when you are around animals. Do your symptoms get better when you are not near a pet? If so, you may have a pet allergy. Determining whether or not you do have pet allergies can help you save a lot of time and stress, should you actually not have an allergy.

If you do have a pet allergy or if you truly suspect that you do, it is advised that you schedule a visit with your healthcare provider. A doctor may recommend over-the-counter allergy relief medications for you. They may also prescribe a medication, depending on your symptoms. Although over-the-counter medicines and prescription medicines are all great ways to seek relief from allergies, it is also important to know that there are a number of natural steps that you can and should take.

One of the best ways to deal with a pet allergy is to remove the pet or pets from your home. If you aren’t a pet owner, but if you have allergy symptoms when visiting friends or family, reconsider your choice to do so. Of course, you can limit the amount of time you are there or reduce your visits, but you may want to consider doing something else instead. Shopping, eating lunch, or having a cup of coffee are all great alternatives.

If you are a pet owner who cannot bear to part with your pets, like if you consider them to be a member of your family, keep your pet or pets out of your bedroom. The bedroom is the place where many individuals spend most of their time. The last thing that you want to be doing is suffering from allergies when trying to get a good nights sleep. If you are a visitor, as opposed to the pet owner, ask to move outside, if the weather is nice. You can also ask to move to a room where the pets aren’t allowed.

Vacuuming as much as possible is another great way to relieve the symptoms of pet allergies. If you own a cat or a dog, invest in a good, quality vacuum cleaner, namely one that uses HEPA technology. There are also vacuum cleaners that are designed for pet owners. They may be a good idea if you are suffering from pet allergies. Many come with attachments that allow you to easily get pet air off of bedding and furniture.

As previously stated, it is important to remember that you can suffer from pet allergies even if you aren’t a pet owner. If you know of someone who is a pet owner, like a close friend or family member, be sure to talk to them about your pet allergy. Of course, they will not get rid of their pets just for you, but they may take proactive steps to make their home a safer place for you. These steps may involve keeping their pets in another room or vacuuming before you come over.

As previously stated, if you do suffer from pet allergies or if you suspect that you may, it is a wise idea to schedule a visit with your doctor. He or she can prescribe medication to you or offer other helpful tips. With that being said, if you are uninsured, please try some of the easy and affordable steps highlighted above.

Suffering from Allergies: Should You See a Medical Professional

Do you suspect that you suffer from allegories? If you do, are your symptoms severe? If they are not, you may be wondering if you really need to seek medical help. Of course, there is no harm that can come from scheduling a visit with your doctor, but you still may not want to do so. Before you make your decision, it is a good idea to examining the pros and cons of seeking medical help when you only experience moderate to minor allergy symptoms.

As for the pros or plus sides to seeking professional medical help when you think that you are suffering from an allergy, there are a number of them. One of them is the knowledge and expertise that you gain access to. It is no secret that professional healthcare providers know what they are doing. Many have years of experience diagnosing allergies and well as helping their patients seek relief. Of course, you can do your own research online to learn more about allergies, but there is nothing that compares to the expert advice of a doctor.

Another one of the pros or plus sides to seeking medical attention when you suspect that you are suffering from an allergy is that you can receive prescription medication. Although many doctors only prescribe prescription medication when allergy symptoms are severe, having the option is still nice for many. For some individuals, over-the-counter allergy relief products just don’t work. Those who suffer from food allergies, like peanut allergies, may not only receive medicine from their doctor that can help with their symptoms, but they will also likely receive medicine that may one day save their life.

Another pro or plus side to seeing a doctor if you suspect that you suffer from an allergy is that it should be easy for you to schedule an appointment. If you have a regular doctor who you see on occasion, all you should have to do is schedule an appointment. With that said, it may be more difficult for you if you are a new patient. New patients often get the last appointments and some are even put on waiting lists. Still, you can shop around for a good doctor. Look for one that accepts your health insurance. Someone in your town who practices medicine should have an opening soon.

Although there are a number of pros or plus sides to seeking medical attention when you suspect that you may have an allergy, there are a number of cons or downsides to doing so as well. One of those downsides is the cost. If you do not have adequate health insurance, you may have high co-pays or high deductibles. If you do not have health insurance, it can be costly to schedule an appointment with a doctor. With that said, it is still a good idea to seek medical attention. If you need to, look for doctors or healthcare establishments that are income based. They can help you save money. Also, see if you qualify for state run programs, such as Medicaid. This is most important to do if you do have severe allergy symptoms.

Time is another common downside to seeking medical attention when you are only experiencing a small number of non-severe allergy symptoms. It is no secret that doctors don’t always have the most convenient hours. If you do not have enough time or if you cannot take time off from work, you may find it difficult to seek medical attention. With that in mind, some clinics have flexible hours. These hours may include being open on the weekends or late at least one night at week. If you do experience severe allergy symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you are advised to go to the hospital.

Finally, some do not like seeking medical attention when they can treat themselves at home, because nothing may be done. It is not uncommon for a doctor to recommend over-the-counter allergy relief products when symptoms are not severe. You and many others sometimes view a visit to the doctor’s office, in this type of case, as a waste of time and money.