Radiation

Hearing the word itself makes us annoyed and worried. Radiation is indeed a very scary word that marks tremendous negative effects throughout the history of mankind. From the disaster of nuclear bomb planted on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, then the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and to the latest nuclear plant disaster at Fukushima, Japan. Radiation can be extremely dangerous, especially in large doses. Though dramatic events like nuclear meltdowns and the possibility of nuclear war are the risks we most readily connect with radiation, it is the constant everyday lower level of radiation that we should be most concern about.

Radiation is in fact, a regular part of the life. From the day we were born to the day we die, our bodies are subjected to expose to persistent barrage of the energize atomic particles of radiation. The sources of everyday radiation are far more common than people are aware – being out in the sun (sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation), getting a dental x-ray (x-rays are forms of radiation), flying in an airplane (at higher altitude, you have less of the earth’s atmosphere to protect you from cosmic radiation- including from the sun), or even spending time in concrete building (concrete contains small amounts of uranium that emit radioactive radon gas) – Radon is the leading source of natural radiation exposure and the second leading cause of lung cancer.  Where does it come from?  Well, usually from soil, but it is found everywhere. The ground that we all walk and build our homes upon contains varying levels of naturally occurring radioactive elements that decay into radon gas, which can seep into homes and become a health concern.

How radiation harms us

Our bodies are made up of cells. Each cell is made up of molecules. Molecule is made up of atoms. Radiation does its damage on the atomic level, energizing particles even smaller than atoms. Because these energize particles are so small, it is possible for them to pass right through our skin, muscle and organs. When the radioactive particles do hit a molecule in our body, it causes that molecule to break apart.

These broken unstable molecules are called free radicals. A free radical will always seek to replace its missing electron and so will steal one from another nearby molecule. This created a chain reaction that can be extremely damaging to the cell and all of its parts. Most concerning is when free radicals inevitably steal from a cell’s DNA. Damaged DNA becomes corrupt genetic code and can lead to cell death and cell mutation which is responsible for a variety of health problems, including cancer.

In the span of only few seconds a single free radical can create up to a billion additional free radicals. In short it does not require a large amount radiation to create a massive amount of free radicals. In cases of high radiation exposure, it isn’t the radiation that causes death, but the massive amount of free radicals it creates. Free radical is said to be one of the main causes of degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer, osteoporosis and many others.

The needs of antioxidant

Luckily the body isn’t without its defenses. A variety of molecules known as antioxidants are able to neutralize free radicals and stop free radical chain reaction in their tracks. Many antioxidants need to be constantly replenished in the body through diet. With the right nutrition, the body would be able to make antioxidant enzymes on its own.

It is important to consume a wide spectrum of antioxidants on a daily basis, including plenty of antioxidant vitamins (C, E and A). Together they give the human body the power to fight free radicals.

Unfortunately, most people don’t get nearly enough antioxidants through diet alone. But with proper supplementation, a person can dramatically increase their level of protective antioxidants. Therefore, it is important for us to play our role to assist our very own body to fight against free radicals, by nourishing our immune system with proper nutrition and or supplementation.