Doubt cast on free radical theory

February 26, 2004 | Source: BBC News

Research by University College London, published in Nature, contradicts the theory that molecules called free radicals, produced when the body fights infection, are a contributory factor in a wide range of diseases.

The researchers discovered that it is not free radicals that give white blood cells their destructive power against foreign invaders, but enzymes. When these were blocked, the cells were unable to kill off foreign invaders.

This, they postulate, shows that free radicals are not the toxic particles that had been assumed.

“Many patients might be using expensive antioxidant drugs based upon completely invalid theories,” said researcher Dr Tony Segal.