Free Radicals

In the normal course of metabolism, your body produces small high-energy particles which are known as free radicals. These are unstable molecules with free electrons that can be used for energy production and numerous other physiological functions. In some cells they may be used as the weapons to kill viruses and bacteria. Unfortunately, because of their extremely high energy, they can also be damaging to normal tissues if too many of them are produced. Free radicals disrupt the normal production of DNA, the genetic material, and alter the lipids (fats) in cell membranes. They also affect the blood vessels and the production of prostaglandins

Cigarette smoke contains two very different populations of free radicals, one in the tar and one in the gas phase. The tar phase contains several relatively stable free radicals; we have identified the principal radical as a quinone/hydroquinone (Q/QH2) complex held in the tarry matr...