Free radicals will attack our body!
Scientists have finally identified the hidden enemy that causes premature aging: they are called "free radicals" or ROS - "reactive oxygen species." UV radiation, pollution, smoking, and toxic substances trigger the formation of free radicals in critical cell mitochondria.
Their effects are profound: they break down proteins and lipids that are vital for keeping muscles strong and skin smooth, and can even cause DNA mutations leading to cancer. In the skin, they break down skin structure, causing wrinkles, blemishes, and loss of elasticity.
Forming in Mitochondria
Mitochondria (as shown) are the energy factories of our cells: they burn fat and sugar to produce the energy we need. Unfortunately, they are also the place where free radicals are produced within cells.
For strong young individuals, the body has enough natural defenses to neutralize these destructive molecules. But as we age, we gradually lose this ability, leading to issues such as visible muscle loss, declining memory and vision, blood pressure problems, and skin wrinkles, dullness.
How do we fight back?
Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances that help the body fight free radicals. In fact, they are so effective that consuming fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and even certain cancers. But the biggest problem is not that we are not consuming enough of these foods, but that these antioxidants are destroyed during the cooking process. On the other hand, it is also very difficult to get them to the parts of the body where they are needed.
One effective solution is to supplement with fruit extracts rich in antioxidants, either orally or topically. Pomegranate extract has significant effects, particularly against aging phenomena such as wrinkles and dull skin.
Free Radicals and Inflammation
When the skin is attacked by microbes, chemicals, or radiation (such as UV rays from sunlight), it protects itself by triggering an inflammatory mechanism. This phenomenon usually occurs after sunburn and typically lasts only a few days, but at a microscopic level, it may have already caused permanent damage: inflammation alters the skin structure, leading to skin issues such as wrinkles and dull complexion.
Free radicals are one of the first substances released when the skin is under attack. Excessive production of free radicals in mitochondria signals the skin cells to produce other chemicals such as prostaglandins, interleukins, and proteases. These are all inflammatory responses triggered by the body to protect itself.
Moreover, free radicals also cause skin cells to produce collagenase and elastase, enzymes that break down the skin structure and cause surface congestion. This is where some severe skin damage occurs.
Free Radicals and Aging Process
The body produces excessive free radicals when exposed to external assaults, and as we age, cells lose the ability to fight these free radicals. Gradually, the oxidative stress caused by these free radicals becomes permanent, and cells are unable to repair collagen and elastin, instead utilizing collagenase and elastase to break them down.
Excessive production of these enzymes breaks down the skin matrix, causing the skin to lose firmness and elasticity, leading to premature aging.
Free Radicals and Skin Pigmentation
Skin darkening is due to melanin pigmentation produced by melanocytes.
Exposure to UV radiation generates excessive free radicals, including NO - nitric oxide. This triggers inflammation and the formation of chemicals such as prostaglandins and histamines, which bind to receptors on the surface of melanocytes. This leads to melanin formation and its transfer to surface skin cells, causing skin darkening.
This is the process of skin darkening caused by sun exposure.