The problem arises when conditions are created in the body where a great excess of free radicals are produced, eventually breaking down cellular membranes of healthy cells and damaging their fragile contents. If enough undesirable free radicals are created (through aging, the environment, unhealthy foods, etc.), this starts chain reactions of “electron theft” and uncontrolled creation of free radicals, leading to cellular damage. Scientists refer to this process as oxidation, and the cellular damage it causes is known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals are inadequately neutralized by the body’s antioxidant defense system, or when the “oxidants” overwhelm the “antioxidants.” It’s the same sort of reaction that takes place as metal rusts or as an apple turns brown, only it is happening inside our bodies! Unchecked free radical damage can accelerate the aging of every system in our bodies, damaging our DNA and may even lead to cancer.
To recap, a little of this electron thievery can be okay, and even beneficial and necessary for intracellular signalling, but excessive free radicals can cause a lot of health problems, if not brought under control. This is where activation of the cellular defense (cytoprotective) pathway comes into effect from the polyphenol combination in OProCyn.
