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What Are Free Radicals?

Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons. They are everywhere - in the air, our bodies and the materials around us. In their quest to find another electron, they are very reactive and can cause damage to surrounding molecules.

Paints and plastics fade and crack due in part to free radicals. Within our bodies an imbalance in the levels of free radicals can contribute to diseases such as cancer, arthritis, stroke and diabetes.

Antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E are important components of a healthy diet, since they either stop, or repair, the damage caused by free radicals.

However, we can't live without free radicals because they help important reactions in our bodies take place and they can also be utilised to manufacture pharmaceuticals, custom-designed plastics and other innovative materials.

Download to Centre's Free Radical Information Pamphlet- Explore Free Radicals (PDF - 4.93MB)