Early Childhood Oxygen Radicals and Life Span

June 19, 2024 by Robert

At first, it may sound strange that something with the word “oxygen” in it would be wrong for you… such is the case with “free oxygen radicals,” also known as “free radicals.” Free oxygen radicals are related to the process of oxidation, which means to “break down.” This is like when metal rusts because it was exposed to oxygen; our bodies also deteriorate in the presence of free radical oxygen. For more information about free radicals, you can see our video.

Oxygen molecules, bonded to other molecules, like two molecules of hydrogen, create H2O or water… an excellent thing! But when an oxygen molecule is unbonded, or “free,” it flies around looking for something to bond to and, in the process (usually only microseconds in length), causes cell damage.

Oxygen radicals are reactive molecules that damage cellular components, resulting in oxidative stress. Lately, taking anti-oxidants have become very popular as a way to control the molecular aging process. A recent study attempted to measure the reactive oxygen species in worms to identify which processes were affected. They found that very high levels of oxygen radicals exist in the worm’s body, long before the aging actually begins.

— ENN.com
Presence of Oxygen Radicals in Early Childhood May Determine Life Span

They found that [when] animals are forced to deal with very high levels of reactive oxygen species long before old age. High levels of reactive oxygen were found to accumulate during early development.

The study was conducted by scientists from the University of Michigan and published by Professor Ursula Jakob and her co-workers. In fact, during childhood, the oxidants begin to accumulate and reach a very high level. Later in life, oxidant levels decline and surge upward as the body ages. It is during this second surge that the aging process occurs. One could alter the life span by manipulating the radical oxygen levels early in life.

Summary