FREE RADICALS THEORY

We know what means aging, however, scientifically is rather difficult to define because it is not only the passage of time, but is a complex biological process, difficult to assess at the cellular, tissue and organTo explain the aging process there is different theories. These explain physiological, psychological or social changes…Some of these theories are biologic theories and psychosocial theories.

Within biologic theories is the free radicals theory, a very interesting theory because it consists of molecules that are suspected to cause adverse effects on the body, as in the cells, DNA and immune system. And thereby cause aging and degenerative processes as a cancer, atherosclerosis and immunodeficiency.

Free radicals are molecules unstable and highly reactive with one or more unpaired electrons, which cause damage around through oxidative reactions. It is an oxidative damage in the cell and really is an oxygen poisoning, all aerobic organisms are sentenced.

After watching this video, I want to highlight that if aging is associated with the production of free radicals, but the elimination of these doesn’t prevent the aging, it is because they are not causes of aging but these are symptoms, as has been shown in some studies.

Therefore, it is not clear, is whether decreasing free radical damage, we will increase longevity. However the number of free radicals can be reduced by the use of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, D, carotene, zinc, selenium and phytotoxic.

Bibliography.

• Vargas F; Rivas C; Nursanarnaa A; Zoltan T. Reacciones de radicales libres con relevancia biológica en la teoría del envejecimiento. Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas. 2007. Disponible en:

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