Oxidative Stress and Free Radicals:
How they make you look older

by Natalie Katsman

Oxidative stress occurs when some molecules (oxidizing agents) take electrons from other molecules or atoms. The substances that can exist with missing electrons are called free radicals. Most of these free radicals are oxygen molecules or atoms.

Free radicals are highly reactive, always ready to give away the odd electron, or to accept one. After they find a pair for the lonesome electron, they lose their activity, but the atom that has just lost an electron becomes a free radical in turn. It is an inevitable part of metabolic process. However, too many free radicals cause a dangerous chain reaction that destroys cellular compounds and can damage DNA, proteins and lipids (fats).

Cellular damage can result in diseases, such as cancer, inhibit enzyme activity and produce mutations in genetic material that makes aging go faster.

How exactly can oxidative stress speed skin aging?

Wrinkles occur when skin loses its elasticity. The loss of elasticity is caused by extensive formation and accumulation of collagen cross-links. Collagen cross-linking is a result of a chemical process that starts with nonenzymatic attachment of glucose to a collagen molecule.

When enzymes attach glucose to collagen, there is a reason for it and a purpose. Nonezymatic attachment, on the other hand, is random. Collagen cross linking in this case is uncontrollable and more often than not - unnecessary. Once cross-linking occurs, it is irreversible.

By inhibiting enzyme production, free radicals lead to chaotic collagen cross linking.

Metabolism, environmental toxins and pollution are the main reasons why free radicals exist. Metabolism is a part of life, sun and toxins are hard to escape. The only way to counteract free radical damage is to neutralize them as they appear.

Antioxidants (vitamins E, C, carotenes and flavonoids) are an easy target for free radicals. They catch free radicals and bond with them, but don't become free radicals themselves. As soon as a free radical is bonded with an antioxidant molecule, it loses its activity and is no longer dangerous.