In December we posted an article – Oxidation, free radicals, antioxidants and your body. How it works -Part I.  That post describes how the natural digestion of food and the breakdown of the chemical bonds in sugar molecules to give us energy causes the temporary formation of free radical compounds in our body. Today’s post is about the external sources that cause oxidation to occur our body.

Oxygen (O2) is the most essential life-sustaining element on our plant.  Normally, in our atmosphere dry air contains 20.95% oxygen. However changes in the O2 levels in the atmosphere from pollution or environmental stress can cause the O2 molecule to become unstable, either by acquiring an extra electron or two and becoming a super oxide  (O2^–) or by splitting into  –OH hydroxyl radicals. Either form of oxygen is highly unstable. When taken into the body by either breathing or from exposure and consumption to chemicals, these molecules can cause the following damage to our bodies:

– Destruction of cells in our most susceptible organs: red blood cell destruction; damage to the liver; damage to the cells lining the heart and lungs; damage to the endocrine system (thyroid); and kidney damage … to name a few.

These unstable oxygen free radicals act as if they were acid poured into our bodies, destroying the cells that they come into contact by stealing electrons or donating their extra electrons. These free radicals are also generated by exposure to man-made chemicals, environmental pollution, cigarette smoke, pesticides, alcohol consumption, exposure to toxic heavy metals, radon gases, and even excessive use of pharmaceutical medicines .. etc.  The free radical compounds are inhaled, eaten, and in our drinking water supplies. They have become unavoidable and a direct product of our modern civilization.

What can we do —

-Avoidance of the chemicals that cause oxidation is the primary defense. Limit the use of household chemicals such as pesticides, harsh cleaning agents,  chemical-based fertilizers,  smoking or being around second-hand smokers; preserved foods; processed foods; foods that are obvious sources of chemical pollutants (shark, swordfish, tuna), and alcohol. Alcohol consumption has the unfortunate unique property of directly supplying the hydroxyl free radical into our system that will immediately attack your blood vessels and organs.

-Increase your consumption of antioxidants, foods that contain molecules that will help to inhibit the oxidative chemical reaction from occurring. All plants contain complex systems of antioxidants that include vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene, and Vitamin E, along with antioxidative enzymes.  Consume fresh salads, cooked vegetables, fruits and add certain key supplements produced by Seagate to your diet: lemon, grape seed extract, broccoli, pomegranate, carrots, and lycopene.

Sometimes the easiest and most cooperative  thing to shoot underwater are the corals. They are generally friendly (except the fire corals which sting if accidentally bumped), are cooperative, don’t frighten easily, and don’t swim away from the diver when scared. They give you the chance to retake the photo over and over until you get it right.