Radical

  Radical

PKGhatak, MD

No.18.

One can find the word 'radical' in mathematics, chemistry, political science, other branches of science, and common English. It denotes an extremist, revolutionary, or an entity outside the normal boundary.

In biology, radicals are highly reactive forms of oxygen and nitric oxide, and their derivative molecules, which are generated inside the body from metabolic activities. An average adult person uses 380 liters of oxygen in a day and generates 10 to 20 thousand molecules of radicals. The body is well equipped with anti-radical agents to neutralize radicals. Anti-radicals prevent substances from reacting with oxygen;  they are also called antioxidants. When the balance shifts towards radicals, harmful effects take place.

The science is solid up to this point. The list of the deleterious effects of radicals on the body is growing from the beginning. Now, Alzheimer's disease to heart attacks, cancers, aging, and wrinkles on the skin are all blamed on the radicals. One tries to find published original investigative papers to independently verify the claims, this line comes up frequently – “the effects of radicals on the body are well documented”, nothing much substantive beyond this.

Obviously, one likes to live healthily and maintain youth forever, and begin searching for antioxidants. The usual wisdom is: if 1 mg is good, then 10 mg will be 10 times better.

The oncologists taking care of breast cancer patients were the first to observe the recurrence of breast cancer and metastasis due to taking mega-dose antioxidants.

The manufacturer of nutritional supplements is a 4 + billion dollar business and projected to grow to 7 + billion dollars in 2032. They like to keep investigation and research under their control and they see to it very diligently.

However, the National Cancer Institute conducted nine trials and published this: Overall, these nine randomized controlled clinical trials did not provide evidence that dietary antioxidant supplements are beneficial in primary cancer prevention. Feb 6,2017.

Does anyone have any better idea?

http://ghataksays.blodspot.com

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