Cryosurgery is a standard therapy for both benign and malignant conditions of the skin. This handout hopes to answer or anticipate any questions you have.
You will note swelling and redness around the site. This is normal.
Your “sharp” feeling of discomfort will continue for a few more minutes, and then give way to more of a “sore” feeling. As the area begins to swell, some patients find that they continue to have this “sore” feeling for several days.
For this discomfort, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol©) unless you have been instructed otherwise by your physician.
Over the next few days, you may develop a blister at the treated area, or the area may begin to weep or drain. If the blister is tense and uncomfortable, you can pop it with a sterile (heated under a flame or cleansed with alcohol) needle. If the blister does not bother you, no treatment is needed. However, do NOT peel off the top of the blister roof. It will act as a dressing on top of your wound.
You may bathe of shower as per your regular routine.
Cleanse the site twice a day with soapy water, and then apply a thin film of white petrolatum (Vaseline©).
You do not need to cover the area, but can if you prefer.
Do NOT allow the site to become dry of crusted, or attempt to dry it out with rubbing alcohol.
Continue this regimen until the area is pink and healed. Depending on the size and location of your cryosurgery site, and you own body’s ability to heal, this may take two to three weeks.
The area may continue to be pink for several weeks, and over the next few months the area may become darker or lighter than the surrounding skin. This may be a permanent change.
Your wound may continue to ooze or drain for several days, and a small rim of redness around the site is normal.
Symptoms of infection include a large area of surrounding redness, white pustular drainage, swelling, or pain that is not controlled by over-the-counter pain medication.
If you have questions about your cryosurgery treatment site, please don’t hesitate to call the office (478-3376).
The advent of vaccines, antibiotics, and antiseptic techniques has saved our millions of our children from pneumonia, meningitis, kidney, heart, and liver damage, upper respiratory infections, and paralysis. Some of the pediatric viral and bacterial killers of as recent as 20 years ago, have become almost extinct thanks to the miracles of modern Medicine and public health measures.
However, the “bugs” physicians now see affecting children’s skin have changed. Rare are the cases of measles, German measles, mumps, etc., which had distinctive skin appearances but were untreatable. These illnesses now are replaced by cases of Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus bacterial manifestations, and some common viral diseases mentioned below. These can be harder to diagnose because of their variable appearance, but some are treatable with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, though some still may be deadly.
About 20% of Pediatrics visits involve skin manifestations of viral, bacterial, or other infectious agents. Here is a list of just some of the relatively common rashes that the Pediatrician, Family Practitioner, or Dermatologist sees, from the more mundane to those that require immediate medical attention:
• Impetigo – from a toxin that Staph or Strep bacterial species produces causing localized “honey-colored” crusts typically around the nose, mouth, or eyes (but can be on any skin site). It is contagious but treatable with topical and/or oral antibiotics. In children less than 5 years, if the rash spreads with fever, this may be “Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome” and needs immediate attention.
• Tinea Capitis – a fungal infection of the hair of the scalp causing hair loss, scale, & itch. It more often involves African-American children due to hair texture. If on the skin of the body, it is termed “ringworm” or tinea corporis.
• Head Lice – small 6-legged arthropods that lay eggs on the hair shaft and go to the skin of the scalp to feed on blood. Head lice is mainly seen in Caucasian- or Asian-type hair textures. It is highly contagious.
• Scabies – another small arthropod that burrows under our skin and lays eggs. Causes intense itching with a rash at the armpits, genitals, hands, and buttocks. Also is highly contagious.
• Pityriasis Rosea – from the HHV-7 virus. Rash can start off as one larger skin lesion (a “herald patch”) with a spread of the small scaly plaques on the back and chest in a “Christmas tree” distribution. It is not thought to be contagious and does not usually require treatment.
• “Slapped Cheeks” – aka Erythema Infectiosum, is caused from Parvovirus B19, where the child gets bright red cheeks and then a lacy red pattern on the arms and rarely joint pain. Parvovirus infection can be dangerous to the fetus if transmitted to pregnant women in the second trimester.
• Chicken Pox – though much less common because of the Varicella vaccine, there are breakthrough cases of “atypical” chicken pox still seen. Classically, there are small, red, itchy blisters that start on the chest or back and spread outward in crops to the face, arms, etc. . This very itch rash is highly contagious unless the receiving individual is properly immunized
• Scarlet Fever – from a toxin that Strep pyogenes (from strep throats) causing fever, red “strawberry” tongue, a sandpapery rash, and a rash on the inner elbows or sides of groin. The kidneys can be affected.
• Kawasaki’s Disease – often in children less than 5 years old with at least five days of fever, hand and foot skin changes, lymph node swelling, red eyes. Child must be treated in the hospital with anti-inflammatory medications, and will need a cardiac evaluation.
• Erythema Multiforme– usually a skin reaction from the Herpes Virus (or various medications) causing fever, skin pain, and “bulls-eye” lesions on the palms and soles. If these blisters go on to affect larger areas of the skin or the mouth, eyes, or genitalia, the child needs immediate medical attention.
As parents, caregivers, and teachers, you should worry if the child has a new rash associated with a persistent fever (e.g. a rectal temperature of over 100.4˚F if less than three months old or above 101-103˚F otherwise). Fever is just part of the equation, so if your child seems listless and difficult to wake up, with poor appetite, severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, headaches, neck stiffness, light sensitivity, gets sudden seizures, has difficulty breathing or sleeping, and “just doesn’t seem right,” call your Doctor or 911, or go to the Emergency Room.
Roopal Bhatt, MD, is a Dermatologist now practicing in the Four Points Area.
If you have questions about this topic or others, please contact her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com
The most talked-about “super bug” is a subtype of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus called MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a highly antibiotic resistant strain with the ability to produce toxins to weaken its host. This bacteria has killed more people this past year than the HIV virus, and estimates have reported that “staph infections” have cost hospitals alone 14.5 billion dollars in 2003. Aside from affecting skin, staph can also cause deeper tissue, bone, joint, heart valve, lung, and bloodstream infections which can be deadly in both ill and healthy people.
MRSA used to be mainly acquired from hospitals. In recent years, there has been an offshoot of hospital-associated MRSA called community-associated MRSA (ca-MRSA). Ca-MRSA, representing about 12% of MRSA infections, is often heartier due to rapid spread and adaptability, and may even have the ability to counter some of our bodies’ immune defenses.
Transmission is through direct skin to skin contact, sneezing, and touching objects already contaminated with the staph bacteria. 20-30% of the normal adult population has staph colonized in their noses, belly buttons and other body parts. This means that the bacteria are present without causing disease except in cases of skin breakdown or immune system compromise (such as with Diabetes, HIV, or Cancer/chemotherapy). Staph is more prevalent in situations of close contact as in daycares, adult homes, shelters, hospitals, military barracks, and certain sports. IV drug users and those with chronic indwelling catheters, recent surgical wounds or long hospitalizations have a higher incidence of staph infections, and of course, there are higher rates of spread within families.
What do staph infections look like on the skin? First, they can occur almost anywhere on the body. Patients often come to me with recurring “red hair bumps” or “pus-bumps” or deeper “boils” that either won’t go away or seemingly do resolve but then keep coming back. Other patients say that they have “spider bites” that do not itch but become filled w/ pus, hurt, become red and swollen. When asked, they often never actually see the “bugs” that bite them. Even if the rash did start off due to insect bites, that skin can get secondarily infected from scratching. If staph gets into deeper tissue, bones, lungs, heart, or the bloodstream, it can cause fevers, chills, body pain, tissue damage, and internal organ failure in the most severe form.
Treatment starts with first speaking with your healthcare provider. If Staph aureus is suspected, the provider should do a bacterial culture of the affected tissue and/or nose, lance and drain any abscess, and place the patient on antibiotics if the patient has symptoms such as pain, pus, fevers, or expansion of the infection. Systemic antibiotics should especially be given if the patient has other immune suppressing health issues as discussed above. If there is a high suspicion for MRSA, two appropriate antibiotics should be started at once and kept on it for the appropriate length of time. It is very important to take the full course of antibiotics that the doctor prescribes.
An ounce of soap is worth a pound of antibiotics. Hand washing, hand washing, and more hand washing is the key to prevent spread of staph. 30 seconds of plain soap and water or using the alcohol preparations until hands are dry are effective to eradicate the germs without causing resistance. Also, cover open wounds and do not share personal hygiene items. Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use (as when having viral illnesses), and if already on oral antibiotics, take them as instructed for the full time prescribed.
To find out more, go to the CDC website: www.cdc.gov. Please see your healthcare provider if you suspect you may have a staphylococcus infection.
Roopal Bhatt, MD is a dermatologist starting her practice in the Four Points Area. To reach her for questions on this topic or others, please e-mail her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com.
Oh, we shouldn’t have…. What exactly happens to our bodies after we just consumed the largest holiday meal of the year? Those excess calories from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that are not used for daily body metabolic activity ultimately get converted to body fat – eek. But for some people, the skin can show food consumption in other ways aside from just showing our love handles.
First, excess lipid or fats can deposit in our skin and other organs, but not in the way we ordinarily think. There are some genetic and metabolic syndromes and even medications that cause very high levels of cholesterol circulating in our system. These cholesterol levels or triglycerides can deposit right in our upper layers of skin causing distinctly yellow-orange small pea-sized bumps in certain parts of our body such as near the eyelids, palms, knees, elbows, arms, and legs. We call these skin lesions xanthelasma if involving the eyelids and xanthomas if involving the rest of the body skin. Though often reversible by diet and cholesterol -lowering medication, some of these skin lesions can sometimes be permanent.
Next, we always think of gout as being a disease of older men, a painful condition traditionally causing large painful skin nodules on the big toes or ear cartilage or elbows, knees, and wrists. Rich, meaty foods, such as red meats and certain types of fish and seafood, and alcohol (beer, liquors) have high purine contents. If you consume these foods regularly and drink over two alcoholic beverages a day, or if you are on certain medications, the uric acid levels get high enough to crystallize out of the blood circulation into distant areas of our body, causing painful skin nodules with arthritis and kidney stones. The treatment is taking medication to lower uric acid levels and for pain control. Lifestyle changes include avoiding rich foods and alcohol and consuming more dairy products, complex carbohydrates, and fluids. Steady weight loss will help as well.
Salt lovers beware. Those who consumed too much salt probably felt it the next morning from tight clothing and rings. Unfortunately, those with heart failure cannot handle the extra fluid volume from salt and subsequent water retention. One skin manifestation from this is leg swelling. Long-standing leg swelling can make the skin of the lower legs itchy, reddish-purplish, and eventually hard. For those with heart failure, a low 2 gram sodium diet has to be followed.
Moderation is the key for everything including alcohol consumption. Chronic alcohol use can cause liver damage with end-stage cirrhosis as its worst outcome. Skin signs of alcohol-induced liver disease include yellowing of the skin and eyes, called jaundice, from excess bilirubin levels; the abdominal blood vessels are more pronounced on top of a swollen, fluid-overloaded belly; there are little smaller red superficial blood vessels that appear on the upper body called spider angioma; there is increased skin bruising and/or itching; and there are even nail changes. The only treatment for end-stage cirrhosis is surgery or liver transplant.
Lastly, there are some people who have severe gluten sensitivity, causing a gastrointestinal disease called Celiac Disease. These people are not able to tolerate wheat, rye, barley, and even some medications and food additives in their diets. A small subset of these patients get a skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis consisting of broken itchy red blisters on the elbows and knees and lower back. A strict gluten-free diet is essential to treat both the skin and gastrointestinal condition.
Roopal Bhatt, MD is a Dermatologist opening up her office in the Four Points Area.
For questions about this topic or others, please e-mail her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com
With all the news about our “super-bug” adversaries from staph infections to salmonella, e.coli and even influenza outbreaks, the medical community is hyper-vigilant to control infectious disease. We are living longer lives thanks to antibiotics, immunizations, proper medical and food preparation sanitary techniques, and earlier detection and prevention of disease. Our home and work environments are cleaner than ever – we have air and water purification systems, high-tech vacuums to remove dust and dander, and we even keep our pets dirt- and disease-free.
However, there may be a downside to our very “clean” society. The Hygiene Hypothesis is a theory amongst immunologists that has been gaining popularity in the last twenty years. Humans have coexisted with microbes throughout our existence, and we now are aware that we depend on disease to stimulate our proper immune function.
In our current industrialized society, as our children get less exposed to infectious agents and succumb less to the usual childhood diseases, they may be more susceptible to developing allergic disorders such as seasonal allergies, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. In some parts of the country, in particular in large urban centers, there is an epidemic of asthma and other allergic disorders. There has also been a rise of autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and type I diabetes in our “developed” society. Interestingly, “third world countries” in Africa and Asia have an extremely low rate of allergy and autoimmune diseases, but of course have a very high infectious disease exposure rate.
The hygiene hypothesis has changed the way we think about “good” and “bad” disease. Dirt and disease most likely are necessary evils, as every subsequent allergen exposure and infection helps harden our immune system to prepare for the next latest and greatest attack. Maybe it is not the infectious agent that we need to worry about but the lack of exposure to infectious agents.
While no one wants to suffer through colds or gastrointestinal ailments, if the alternative were to have a chronic debilitating ailment such as asthma or multiple sclerosis, the choice may be a simple one .
For future treatment, scientists are working on using parasites and developing normal gut flora to help stimulate immune function.
While no one is suggesting to get rid of antibiotics and vaccines and basic cleanliness techniques, we have to be aware of the consequences of our modern ultra-clean lifestyles. We do not necessarily have to go place our children in the mud everyday to get their daily quota of dirt exposure, but we should let kids be kids and allow them to play outside with other children and not worry too much about them getting exposed to dirt and germs. Also, we must depend on our doctors to decide whether or not antibiotics are warranted in times of illness. Overuse of antibiotics can of course cause the development of antibiotic-resistance and thus the rise of “super-bugs.” It can also cause changes in our normal gut flora and secondarily prevent maturing immune systems from developing and functioning properly.
Roopal Bhatt, MD is a practicing Dermatologist in the Four Points Area. To reach her about questions on this topic or other topics, contact her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com or visit her website at www.fourpointsdermatology.com.
The success of fertility procedures has allowed couples, both young and older, to experience the miracle of life when nature otherwise would not allow for it. The availability of these procedures now also secondarily helps us plan our families, in balancing it with careers, household, and other social pressures. However, is there an ethical and biologic limit in terms of how far we should go? Currently, it is a personal and medical decision to be made depending on the state, the doctor, and the circumstances of the individual(s) in question.
Our modern lifestyles are causing us to be out of sync with our biological lifecycles. Despite our emphasis on pro-youth, anti-aging prevention and medical treatments, our bodies still keep track of chronologic time. As women especially spend more time in education, careers, and social development (there has been a fourfold increase since the 1970s in the number of women after age 30 having their first child), our years of prime fertility often slip behind the wayside. When we are emotionally, socially, and economically ready to start families, it can be a shock when our bodies fail to cooperate.
Female fertility is at its peak around the ages of 19-24 years. After the age of 30, our fecundity drops, especially dramatic after age 35, with a concomitant rise in the rate of miscarriages and chromosomal abnormalities. Though infertility issues are half the time caused by male factors, it is the female that is the biologic bottleneck since we are capable of conceiving only 12 times a year for about 30+ years of our lives. Thus, only about 400 of our original one million eggs that we have at birth are ever potentially “usable” due to human female ovulatory cycles. The quantity and quality of those eggs also diminishes greatly after age 30, with about 1,000 eggs lost per month.
At any given time, 11million of 90 million US couples are trying to conceive, with a success rate of 20% per month. It will take the average fertile couple 5-6 months to conceive before success. 1 out of ten couples will experience infertility as defined as failure to conceive after 12 months of active efforts.
Doctors often start diagnostic testing if the female is over 30 years old, if there is an abnormal medical, reproductive gynecological history such as repeated miscarriages, or if the male undergoes testing and has a low sperm count.
Infertility treatment options currently include medications and medications in conjunction with variations of the following procedures (Assisted Reproductive Technology). The most common are:
• Glucophage to boost ovulation if insulin-resistance is a suspected factor
• Clomiphene therapy to stimulate mature egg production
• Gonadotropin therapy (often follicle- +/- leutenizing stimulating hormone; or gonadotropin releasing hormone) to stimulate increased numbers of eggs produced per cycle
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin to stimulate release of eggs from follicles
• intrauterine insemination (IUI, aka artificial insemination) where washed sperm is injected into the uterus around the time of ovulation
• In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – harvesting the egg and inseminating it in a petri-dish and placing the zygote back in the uterus
The frustrations of infertility treatment aside from cost (often in the tens of thousands of dollars), is that these tests can take many precious months of time, and there can be a significant failure rate. They are also not without their side effects including the probability of multiple births or enlarged ovaries.
Talk to your Ob-Gyn or Urologist if you are concerned about what is the right treatment course. Aside from medical intervention, both the male and female should avoid tobacco, excess alcohol, and perhaps excess caffeine, as well as maintain a normal weight by good nutrition and moderate exercise…and the hardest advice of all to follow: Avoid Stress.
Roopal Bhatt, MD, is a practicing Dermatologist in the Four Points Area. To reach her about questions on this topic or others, please email her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com or visit her website at www.fourpointsdermatology.com.
We all wish for a good life with happiness, but when our health, or that of a friend or family member, is compromised, it consumes us. Perhaps the most dreaded threat is the big “C.” For 2008, it is predicted that there will be over 1.44 million people diagnosed with cancer and more than 560,000 cancer deaths. Unfortunately, everyone is vulnerable.
Cancer occurs when one of our normal cells has a DNA mutation that causes a rapid and uncontrolled division. This malfunctioning cell population, no longer recognizing “self,” competes with our normal tissue for blood supply and nutrients. These cancer cells may then invade other parts of our body, or metastasize, causing organ failure and possible death if left untreated.
Because of senescence, or biological aging, our cells lose the ability to maintain cellular repair and immune surveillance. That can be one reason why certain cancers are almost expected once a certain age is reached, such as prostate cancer in older men.
While cannot control genetics and aging, we can control our environmental and lifestyle choices, which is sometimes more than half the battle. Specifically, tobacco, alcohol, dietary, occupational, and physical activities and even our reproductive and beauty habits affect our cancer risk. There are things we can do in our everyday lives that are easy and still allow us some fun!
The first step starts with your doctor. There are cancer screening guidelines according to age, past medical and family history, and perhaps even past chemical or viral exposure that your general practitioner can address. For example, women should get a pap smear by age 21 or earlier and a screening mammogram by age 40 or earlier if strong risk factors. Both genders should get a screening colonoscopy by age 50 or earlier. Lung, prostate, skin, and ovarian cancer screenings are discretionary at this time. We do know, however, that cancer screenings can prevent up to 35% of cancer deaths.
Simple daily lifestyle changes:
1. A healthy diet is important. So far, there has been mainly indirect evidence for healthy diets decreasing cancer risk, but the point is that it can’t hurt. “Power foods” loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins include fruits, veggies, green tea, whole-grains, fish with omega-3-fatty acids, yogurt, nuts, soy, etc.
2. Stop smoking. First- and second-hand smoking increases our risk of virtually every cancer. Smoking also negatively affects every major organ system in our body.
3. Limit alcohol consumption. Modest alcohol intake, especially red wine, can be heart-healthy. But excess alcohol consumption can increase risk of breast, oral, esophageal, and perhaps liver cancer.
4. Exercising 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week is recommended with the approval of your physician.
5. There is a new HPV vaccine for females age 9-26 years which may prevent cervical cancer. Most importantly, preventing transmission of this STD is essential.
6. Get the right amount of sun exposure. Unless you are getting adequate Vitamin D through diet, 5-30 minutes of natural sunlight twice a week (more if you are darker skinned or elderly), should provide the amount you need. Vitamin D as a hormone may protect against breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, and ironically, even some skin cancers! But excess UV exposure can increase our risk for skin cancers including the dreaded melanoma.
7. Women should do monthly breast self-exams and men testicular self-exams. Both genders, especially with a previous history of skin cancer, should do monthly skin self-checks.
8. Wear your sunscreen and reapply often. It can prevent squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and hopefully, melanoma, without greatly affecting Vitamin D synthesis.
9. Brush and floss at least daily and see your dentist regularly. One recent study suggests gum disease may be associated with up to 14% higher cancer rate.
For more information on this topic, go to: www.cancer.gov and www.cdc.gov
Roopal Bhatt, MD is a Dermatologist starting her practice in the Four Points Area. To reach her for questions on this topic or others, please e-mail her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com.
This article is in tribute to October as breast cancer awareness month and is dedicated to the 182,000 women and 2000 men newly diagnosed with breast cancer and to the 40,000 who will die from it just this year.
We are all aware of the statistics – 1 of every 8 women will get breast cancer – a number that guarantees that we all know of or have been victims. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.
Fortunately, 8 of every 10 breast lumps are benign. Breast cancer in women under age 30 is very rare, with 75% of cases occurring in women over 50 years old. The 5-year overall survival rate for localized disease has risen to 98% due to better public awareness, early detection through screening, and improved treatment options.
Risk factors for breast cancer include:
• having a mother, sister, or daughter who had breast cancer before age 50
• having a male relative at any age with breast cancer
• if onset of menstruation occured before age 12 and/or menopause occurs after age 55
• never having children or having delivered a baby after age 30
• having a certain ethnic background such as Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
• having a close relative with a known BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutation (see below)
Some preventative measures include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, limiting alcohol intake, and stopping smoking. Aside from the clinical breast exam performed by the doctor every one to three years and monthly breast self-exams, there are also mammograms (standard X-ray or digital), ultrasounds, and MRIs that can provide early detection. Women should start getting annual or biennial screening mammograms by age 40 or earlier if strong risk factors exist.
If a breast or armpit lump detected, with or without overlying skin dimpling, clear or bloody nipple discharge and scale, or skin contour and color changes, see your doctor immediately for evaluation. Your physician may recommend a diagnostic imaging test with a biopsy. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, hormone- and chemotherapy according to the stage of the disease. Some women with very high risk for developing breast cancer opt for prophylactic removal of both breasts and/or ovaries before any possible tumor arises.
Five to 10% of all breast cancers are hereditary. The BRCA 1 & 2 genes (BReast CAncer) are ordinarily tumor suppressor genes meant to fight off cancer development, particularly for breast but also for ovarian, prostate, colon, and other tissues. If a woman tests positive for a mutated BRCA1 or 2 gene, her risk for developing breast cancer rises to 80%.
Some high-risk women (and men) can request getting tested for the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations. While those with a negative test feel relief, those with positive results showing the abnormal gene(s) may find themselves in an emotional, medical, and ethical Pandora’s Box. On one hand, they can get screening and subsequent early intervention if tumor is detected, but if the screening tests are negative, there is anxiety from the anticipation of possible future cancer. In addition, there may be genetic discrimination from employers and insurance companies that arise from having a positive result documented in the medical record. Thus, many people may confidentially seek to pay for the test out-of-pocket despite the potential high cost of this test.
Those interested in getting tested should first talk to their physicians and a genetics specialist, and then also research their insurance policies and state privacy and anti-discrimination laws. In Texas, the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act of 2007 forbids employment and enrollment discrimination by employers and health insurances based on genetic testing.
For more information, go to: www.cancer.gov
For more information to find facilities offering free and low-cost mammograms if un- or under-insured, contact:
-the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or via www.cdc.gov
-the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345
-the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation helpline at 1-877-GO-KOMEN
Roopal Bhatt, MD is a Dermatologist starting practice in the Four Points area. For questions or more information, please contact her at contact@fourpointsdermatology.com.
Will we ever be able prevent heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and external aging with just pills, creams, and shots? Theories of disease and aging involve concepts of free radical interactions in body biochemistry. While most people have heard of “free radicals,” what exactly are they, what do they do, and why are antioxidants are so important to fight these scavengers?
Free radicals are molecules that are atomically unstable and thus highly reactive due to lack of a complete electron subset in their outer orbit. They take an electron from a more vulnerable molecule thus rendering that latter substance unstable (oxidation reaction). Antioxidants, on the other hand, have the capability to donate an electron to help stabilize molecules (aka reduction). Luckily, we do have repair enzymes in our bodies to inhibit overzealous free radical interactions and promote effects of antioxidants.
Free radicals often involve the oxygen molecule, thereby forming reactive oxygen species, which oxidize and damage cell components such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. Free radicals can be in the form of air pollution, excess sunlight, alcohol, smoking, and even internal stress (from a rise in our adrenalin levels). In our bodies, there are complex cascades where both free radicals and antioxidants are necessary for maintaining health. It is imbalances that can cause disease.
For instance, theories of carcinogenesis conceptualize that free radicals prevent proper DNA repair mechanisms, thereby perpetuating DNA mutations, leading to a cascade that causes uncontrolled cell growth. Likewise, internal markers of aging, such as atherosclerosis, also involve oxidative stress on lipids, specifically low-density lipoproteins or LDLs, that cause plaques and ultimately blockage on artery walls. This blockage causes to heart disease and stroke. And lastly, external markers of aging such as skin wrinkling also involve free radical-induced collagen breakdown through excess sun exposure and smoking.
Antioxidants such as vitamin A,C,E, and polyphenols (often from green tea), as well as lutein, lycopene, and selenium, are some of the body’s major antioxidants. While we have natural antioxidants and enzyme repair systems in our bodies, we also obtain much of our antioxidants from our diet, specifically diets rich in plant matter such as fruits and vegetables and legumes. Internal consumption and even topical placement through creams if they are able to penetrate deep enough into the skin, can slow down damage to our cells.
Foods with the highest antioxidant properties judged by the ORAC scale (aka, Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) include: beans, berries (acai seems to be the berry of the moment), apples, green tea, dark chocolate/cocoa, red wine, certain nut and seeds, and green, leafy vegetables. Diets rich in these foods promote good health – not just through their high antioxidant levels, but also through their high fiber, relatively low-calorie, and nutrient-rich properties.
While the role of free radicals is not the only factor in disease and aging, it is part of the story, just as antioxidants may be part of the anti-aging and good-health panacea that we are all seeking.