Antioxidants: Do We Need Them?

I have been thinking a lot about rust, lately. I have an old gal that I keep around for “special times”, occasionally stoking her fires, and lovingly coaxing her out for a “dance” or two.

Nowadays, she is showing her age. She is sagging, fatigued, and clearly exhibiting signs of some tough years, but she still can teach the youngsters a thing or two when I loosen the reigns and let her run.

Although she may resemble a shadow of her former majesty, she still represents one of my most enduring, rewarding and memorable relationships. I am talking about my old truck that we affectionately nicknamed, the Great White Test-Dummy Hauler, or simply GWTDH.

Yes, the GWTDH is no longer the brightest, most shining filly in the stables. She has been replaced by a new, shinier workhorse for the heavy lifting chores, and respectfully called the Big Blue Test-Dummy Hauler... except by the "ranch hands", who call it "El Mucho Loco Hombre Vagón"... whatever that means...

However, the older gal is still my first love, even with her blemishes, and this is what got me to thinking about rust.

If people knew even a fraction of the stories that the GWTDH has experienced with me, they would be amazed at her condition. I can say with complete confidence that had I not taken such extraordinary care of her for all those years, she would have let me down decades ago.

I cannot help but shake my head and wonder why it had not occurred to me sooner; I practiced diligent protocols on the GWTDH to help her withstand the ravages of oxidation, so why did I not understand decades ago that I should employ tactics to prevent oxidation in me.

I realize that it is a bit more involved for a human, rather than merely smearing Kit Wax on my surface and vigorously rubbing... (although, that does create an interesting visual that might be worth exploring...), but whatever the effort, the rewards are priceless.

Evidence is continuing to mount that the aging process on a human is little more than the results of oxidation on our cells. As an oxygen-breathing creature, “oxidizing agents” are a natural by-product of our normal energy making process and our metabolism.

Oxygen is essential for life, but it is also very active and can combine easily with many compounds in the body, producing oxidizing agents, such as superoxides or hydrogen peroxide. These oxidizing agents are also known as free radicals.

No, “free radicals” is not a defiant chant from the groovy, anti-establishment inmates during the 60’s Peace movement. Free radicals are electrically charged molecules that are missing an electron. If you meet one of these little buggers, stand back, because he will try and take from you what he is missing.

A free radical has one mission, “get even”. That means all he wants is to find an electron – steal it if he has too – so that he can feel content. The problem is: if he succeeds in stealing an electron from a neighbor, then the neighbor is now a free radical, who steals one from his neighbor, and so on.

Would You Rather Wear Out... Or Rust Out?

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