Free Radicals: Role In Common Human Diseases

Free radicals are the precursors for many life-threatening conditions. Many studies have linked the presence of free-form free radicals and the development of cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and more.  

It’s essential that we protect our health by eating a variety of antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent free radicals from causing cellular damage that promotes disease. Let’s discuss the benefits and dangers of free radicals in preventative wellness. 

What Are Free Radicals?

Free radicals, as the name suggests, are molecules that contain one or more unpaired electrons. Since they contain unpaired electrons, they possess the property to affect our cellular processes. This, in turn, affects our overall health. And these free radicals are natural products of many of our metabolic (think of it as your cellular stomach) processes. 

So to sum it up, a free radical is simply defined as any chemical species capable of independent existence that contains one or more unpaired electron which is easily accessible for interacting with another chemical species. Free radicals that are present in our body are reactive oxygen species(ROS) and reactive nitrogen species(RNS). 

Free radicals are present in different forms in our body; one in a regulated (controlled) form, where they perform essential roles. The others exist in a free form, where they can interact with various processes of our body. And these interactions, based on their nature and degree, can have beneficial and detrimental effects on our health. 

The effect and nature of naturally-produced free radicals (by our cellular components such as mitochondria, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, immune system cells, etc.) and the external ones (alcohol, tobacco, pollution, smoke, heavy metals, industrial solvents, pesticides, drugs such as halothane, paracetamol, and radiation) has been heavily researched.

Experts understand that free radicals, too, have various effects on our health and play a role in many diseases in humans. This article makes an attempt to understand the role of free radicals in some of the most important human diseases. 

Free Radicals and Diseases 

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) collectively constitute the free radicals and other reactive chemical species in our body. 

Free radicals can have harmful effects on important biological molecules such as nucleic acids (RNA, DNA), lipids, and proteins. Hence, they can have adverse effects on our health and contribute to accelerated aging.  

The oxidative (reactive) stress induced by free radicals is involved in several human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson’s disease-PD, Multiple sclerosis- MS, and Alzheimer’s disease-AD), diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries because of building up of plaque).

 The ROS and the RNS perform the dual role as both beneficial and detrimental compounds to the processes of life inside of us.  

At low and moderate levels, they are involved in significant functions, such as: 

• Immune Function (the defense mechanism of our body against harmful microorganisms)
• In-cellular Signaling (which helps in the coordination of our cellular processes)
• Cell Condition Regulations 

At high concentrations, both ROS/RON exert reactive stress (oxidative and nitrosative stress, respectively) on our cells. This pressure can lead to the damage of cellular components.  

Hence, ROS and RNS levels in the cells must be healthy, and any shift in their concentrations can alter the balance and have consequences for our health. 

Now, let us try to understand the role of free radicals in some of the most common diseases affecting humans. 

Diabetes Mellitus 

Diabetes mellitus is a diverse group of long-standing disorders where the patients exhibit characteristic enhanced blood glucose levels. These are resulting from defective insulin secretion (in type I diabetes), resistance to insulin action (in type II diabetes), or both.  

The enhanced blood levels (known as hyperglycemia) in diabetes are associated with increased production of free radicals or decreased activity of the antioxidant system present in our body.  

This imbalance induces increased free radicals into our cellular system. These rouge agents can have adverse effects on our bodies and health. 

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Regions of the brain such as the hippocampus, substantia nigra, and the striatum have been particularly observed to be more susceptible to stress by free radicals.   

The central nervous system (consisting of the brain and the spinal cord) has been reported to be more vulnerable to free radicals due to the high consumption of oxygen, lower levels of antioxidant enzymes, and its natural high lipid content.

Oxidative stress brought about by free radicals has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases, including: 

• Alzheimer’s
• Parkinson’s
• Huntington’s
• Multiple Sclerosis(MS)

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Cancer 

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in humans. Cancer cells, when compared to normal cells, show elevated levels of oxidative stress. This reaction is partly due to the activation of oncogenes (cancer-promoting genes) and the loss of tumor suppressor (anti-tumor) genes.  

ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) can alter growth signals and the expression of genes to help the continuous growth of cancer cells. They also have the ability to damage DNA by inducing a change in the DNA chemistry of the cell. This reaction can lead to the proliferation of cancer cells. 

Additionally, the role of free radicals in colorectal cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer has been well studied and documented. 

Cardiovascular Diseases

This is a class of diseases involving the blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins) and the heart. They include cardiac diseases and diseases pertaining to the circulatory system in the brain, kidney, etc.  

For example, in atherosclerosis which refers to a condition leading to the hardening of the arteries, there is a significant imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants resulting in oxidative stress. 

Hypertension affects about 40% of the total adult population. People affected by hypertension are more prone to stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. 

Free radicals have been implicated in contributing to the change in the physiology of the vascular cells and also leading to hypertension. So there is consistent evidence of free radicals and their involvement in cardiovascular diseases. 

Cataracts 

A cataract is one of the most common causes of visual impairment, affecting almost 25 million people globally. Cataracts are characterized by the opacity of the eye lens, which results in visual impairment.  

Even though multiple factors such as smoking, drugs, genetic factors, diabetes, radiation, and malnutrition have been implicated in its incidence, free radical-induced oxidative stress has been considered one of the major causes of cataract disorder.  

Oxidation of DNA, lipids, and proteins has been observed in cataract lenses, and this has been shown to induce the opacity of the eye lens seen in cataract patients. 

Asthma 

Asthma is one of the most common diseases affecting the airways of the lungs and is one of the major global health problems. Many studies have suggested that oxidative stress brought about by the build-up of free radicals contributes to tissue damage in asthma patients.  

Free radicals have been implicated in various respiratory diseases, such as: 

• Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

What to Do About Free Radicals 

To conclude, free radicals are a result of normal metabolic processes in our body, which are involved in many bodily processes and disorders.  

When there is deficient levels of antioxidants, free radicals accumulate inside of our cells, leading to the damage of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids in our body. 

This can lead to tissue degeneration and other cellular abnormalities resulting in many human disorders. We need to strive to keep the balance of free radicals in our bodies so as to attain an ability to promote good health.

One of the best ways to stop free radicals is to keep your immune system healthy. Support your immune system by getting your gut tested. 

Did you know up to 80% of your immune cells derive from your gut? They rely on a diverse microbiome to help patrol the body of pathogens. Give your immune system cells the friends they deserve by learning about your bacterial levels with an Ombre Gut Health Test.