Free radical reactions have been investigated as possible
factors in the aging process since the late 1950's, when Dr.
Denham Harman first formulated the free radical theory of aging.
A great deal of evidence supports Dr. Harman's conception that
free radical damage is a major factor causing ageing, cancer and
cardiovascular disease. Free radicals have been measured in
living organisms and increase in concentration with increasing
metabolic rate. The great ability of free radicals to damage
tissue is due to the chain reactions in which they engage - free
radicals generate other free radicals.

Compounds that can help terminate the chain of free radical
reactions are called free radical quenchers or scavengers.
Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, the amino acid NAC, and
the mineral selenium are all effective free radical quenchers.
The above nutrients have been shown in experimental animals to
prevent the development of some types of cancer.

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