Antioxidants-the Miraculous Molecules

Nature is well equipped with the defense mechanisms to protect the living beings. Breathing is an inevitable process of life involving oxygen to produce ATP, biological currency of energy via electron transport chain in mitochondria of cells. Oxidation occurs during this process and some unpaired electrons are escaped which are called Free Radicals (FR). Latter are devoid of oxygen. Some free radicals contain oxygen and are referred as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Under normal conditions generation of free radicals is part of energy metabolism and is used for the production of some hormones; normal cell signaling and engulfing pathogens. Since both FR and ROS are highly reactive molecules, they soon start chain reaction with biological molecules like lipids, proteins and DNA and alter them to gain electron, if not terminated or neutralized by antioxidants they become havoc for life and triggers range of human diseases.