Analysis index

Free radicals are an inevitable side product of all oxidative processes. They have a damaging effect on multiple organs. Not only humans and mammals, but also plants protect themselves from oxygen radicals. Plants for instance have large quantities of vitamin C and E for antioxidative protection. Free radicals are partly responsible for illnesses in humans such as coronary heart disease, cancer, especially lung cancer and cataract. As free radicals can change our hereditary characteristics (DNA), it is assumed, that due to the constant attacks throughout one’s lifetime, these substances are involved in the aging process. Environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes from cars and factories, ozone and dusts favour the development of free radicals in the organism. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E are found in food and belong to the human immune system. Selenium and zinc as co-factors of antioxidative enzymes are also important. The most important antibody in the organism, not ingested with food, is glutathione.