What are damaging Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) such as Free Radicals?
While it’s not surprising that something as important as the generation of energy requires so many nutrients, it is a little surprising that the production of energy can also result in the offshoot production of dangerous molecules with potential to damage your cells. During the production of energy, about 2% of oxygen escapes in the form of reactive oxygen species (ROS) called free radicals. Free radicals are oxidants, which are very reactive molecules that bind to and break DNA chains, directly causing mutations. They can also bind to and destroy proteins and fats in cell membranes. Under normal conditions, in which you are in good health, have low toxin exposure, and are eating a nutritious diet, your cells can protect against these ROS free radicals. With poor nutrition, or in the presence of toxins that inhibit or damage the ETC causing inadequate energy production, the amount of ROS free radicals generated in your cells exceeds the cells’ ability to protect themselves against dam
