The human body can be imagined as a magnificent stage where from the first to the last breath of man, a meticulous dance performance takes place. Such an ensemble exists nowhere else but within humans.

Within it are millions of invisible dancers floating, sailing, running, jumping, struggling, falling, rising... And they are tireless. And they are vigilant. And they are ready. Always. And again. That's how perfect our body is - a stage.

The human body is governed by complex processes that keep each other in balance. However, in order to even conceive the perfection of something, imperfection appears with which we can compare it, imperfection that threatens and endangers. In humans, these are - free radicals.

Of course, these radicals are not some dark figures who want to forcibly impose their political goals and as soon as they themselves gain freedom, throw opponents into dungeons... But they are equally dark and harmful.

These radicals we're talking about are also dancers on the human body stage. However, they are the dancers who jostle, stumble, cause unrest, imbalance, falls, fractures... With their negative actions, they can cause various troubles, such as cancerous changes in the body, cataracts, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases..., and they are closely linked to the process of accelerated skin aging. So, what are free radicals?

What are free radicals and why are they harmful to our skin?

Free radicals are, simply put, unstable molecules that damage the DNA in human cells. They are specific in that they carry one electron in their outer shell and are therefore constantly searching for molecules they can easily bond with to grab the electron they lack.

Healthy and stable molecules typically have an even number of electrons, unlike damaged ones that have an odd number, so they are in constant pursuit... Free radicals are very reactive; they easily bond with stable molecules, thereby converting them into new - free radicals.

The consequence of their dark dance is oxidative stress, which causes premature skin aging. Namely, when there are too many free radicals in the body snatching electrons from stable molecules, a condition called oxidative stress occurs. Under the influence of oxidative stress, cells are damaged, and even die.

Free radicals are, simply put, unstable molecules that damage the DNA in human cells, causing oxidative stress, leading to a range of diseases, and compromising the health and beauty of the skin...

If you want to visualize what it looks like, take, for example, a banana from which the peel has been removed or an apple cut in half. If left like that in the air, the banana will develop dark spots and begin to rot, and the apple will lose its juiciness, freshness, darken, and shrivel... This is the consequence of the dance of free radicals, or the oxidation process they cause...

The same processes occur in human skin. Under the influence of free radicals, it seems to wither, lose firmness, a healthy appearance, and freshness, becoming thin, gray, tired, and fragile, with wrinkles easily forming... All of this happens long before it would naturally occur in the aging process if it weren't for free radicals.

Unlike a cut apple or a peeled banana, which will be ruined by the oxidation process very quickly, similar processes in the human body last for years. Free radicals reduce the skin's ability to produce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, substances that give the skin its firm structure and youthful appearance.

By the natural aging process, this ability decreases, however, the action of free radicals, which create oxidative stress, accelerates everything.

Antioxidants are our defense against free radicals

Fortunately, there is a remedy for the problems that come with free radicals, and that's antioxidants. Antioxidants are also unstable molecules with an odd number of electrons. They too look for a partner to dance with, but they don't snatch electrons from stable molecules; instead, they take those unpaired electrons from free radicals and neutralize them.

Using ballet symbolism, we could say that free radicals and antioxidants are like the black and white swans from Swan Lake.

The action of free radicals reduces the skin's ability to produce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which give the skin a firm structure and youthfulness...

Antioxidants are, therefore, the key to preventing free radicals from damaging cells, and numerous studies have shown that taking antioxidants from food reduces the risk of oxidative stress and cell damage, and thus various health problems, including premature skin aging.

Sources of antioxidants are foods rich in certain vitamins, such as:

Vitamin C: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, blueberries, cauliflower, melon, grapefruit, kale, strawberries, sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.

Vitamin E: almonds, avocado, sunflower seeds, oats, legumes, peanuts, red peppers, and leafy greens.

Beta-carotene: apricots, cantaloupe, mango, carrots, grapefruit, peppers, asparagus, beets, kale, mango, orange, peaches, pumpkins, zucchini, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, mandarins, and watermelon.

Selenium: eggs, tuna, salmon, brown rice, onions, poultry, shellfish...

Zinc: sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, lentils, cashews, beef, poultry, oysters, shrimp...

Phenolic compounds: apples, onions, cocoa, grapes, peanuts, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

How to avoid an increase in free radicals?

The human body produces free radicals in its natural processes. Therefore, it's not possible to avoid them.

However, their number can be kept under control, and efforts can be made to reduce it, all with the aim of avoiding oxidative stress. The solution is to live a healthier lifestyle. Free radicals can be reduced if:

• We consume enough antioxidants through food
• We don't smoke
• We don't consume alcohol in excessive amounts
• We eat unrefined foods
• We avoid UV radiation (direct sunlight)
• We use sunscreen with at least SPF 30
• We avoid stress

Free radicals enter the human body from the environment, and some sources include:

• Environmental pollution
• Certain medications
• Pesticides
• Industrial solvents
• Ozone

How to prevent premature skin aging?

In short, let's recap the lesson: free radicals destroy cells at the molecular level, and antioxidants, or rather antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant molecules, are our defense mechanisms.

They protect us from free radicals by neutralizing them and reducing their number. However, with aging, the process of free radical formation intensifies because our defense mechanisms weaken.

Therefore, it is necessary to constantly assist them with a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet, avoiding direct sun exposure, and reducing stress. The process of premature skin aging is visible to the naked eye, as the skin loses elasticity and firmness, and wrinkles and spots appear...

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, reduce the risk of oxidative stress, and thus various health problems, including premature skin aging...

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