We live in cities full of pollution, cigarette smoke and radiation. We work stressful jobs that alter our bodies’ chemisty for the worse, and then we deprive ourselves of the sleep that would heal us — if only we had the time. Some of us take medications to stay healthy, but they, too, can cause cells to break down. As the free radicals build up in our bodies, the health consequences can become serious: These highly reactive molecules take a toll on our appearance, causing skin to wrinkle and sag before it should. And perhaps the sneakiest effect of all is that when we have too many free radicals, we just don’t feel well. That makes us less likely to eat right, exercise, and enjoy sex the way we’re supposed to — all the things that keep us feeling at the top of our game.
“The New You and Improved Diet: 8 Rules to Lose Weight and Change Your Life Forever,” by Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, with Sarah Mahoney
