What is a Free Radical and what is the major cause of Free Radical damage?
Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that have only one electron instead of two. Because electrons are found in pairs, the molecule must scavenge other molecules for another electron. When the second molecule loses its electron to the first molecule, it must then find another electron, thus repeating the process. This process can damage cell function and alter genetic material. Free radical damage causes wrinkles by activating the metalloproteinases that break down collagen. They can cause cancer by changing the genetic material, RNA and DNA, of the cell. Free Radicals UV radiation is one of the major creators of free radicals.
