What is pro-oxidant?
Pro-oxidant is a substance that triggers oxidative stress by increasing free radicals, reactive molecules known to damage cells. Oxidation occurs when oxygen molecules interact with other substances. Molecules maintain stability when they have a paired number of electrons. When oxidation occurs, the electron is lost, so the molecule is unstable. Oxidative stress caused by prooxidants is associated with premature aging and disease development.
Free radicals are a natural by -product of energy absorption. When the body converts oxygen into energy, reactive oxygen species are formed. These molecules are highly reactive due to the unpaired number of electrons. Reactivity of free radicals can cause significant damage to amino acids, DNA and fatty acids. In some cases, oxidation helps destroy toxins and protect the body, but excessive oxidation causes stress.
A series of prooxidatives causes damage to cellular centers for the production of Knvoje as mitochondria. These vital mineCell cells are energy forces and produce the energy needed for proper functioning. Damage to mitochondria leads to fatigue and inability to produce enough energy for vital functions and continuing oxidative stress that damages mitochondria, sets the soil for degenerative diseases and accelerated aging.
Pro-oxidants create a vicious cycle of instability, because reactive oxygen species try to pair. Free radicals are stealing electrons from other molecules to complete their pairs. Once the molecule loses the electron, it becomes unstable and repeats the cycle by searching and removing electrons from the next molecule. The continuous electron removal process creates an elevated level of cellular instability and this continuous process causes damage to genetic material and other important cells.
Antioxidants are chemicals that are able to bring stability of neutralizationprooxidative substances searching for unstable molecules and pairing with them to prevent them from theft of electrons and cause damage. When the amount of antioxidant substances equals or exceeds the amount of prooxidants, the body can prevent cell damage and maintain stability. If prooxidation chemicals increase far beyond the level of antioxidants, the body is unable to keep up and oxidative stress has results.
Eat healthy diet helps maintain balance between antioxidants and prooxidative substances. Fruits and vegetables are charged with antioxidant substances that help protect the body from damage to free radical. Green tea contains an antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-galt (EGCG), which is commonly known for reducing oxidative stress and preventing the disease progression. EGCG also has a positive prooxidative activity by induction of cell death in tumors, which helps protect against cancer.