Free radicals are toxic molecules, created as a normal by-product of cellular processes, however factors like ultraviolet light, smoke, stress, exercise, pollution and other elements that are virtually unavoidable can increase free radical production. In your body, hundreds of millions of free radicals are generated every second. Like tiny sparks, they bounce around within you and damage the cells with which they come into contact. Luckily for you, your body has its own free radical defense system in the form of cellular antioxidants. Unfortunately as you get older, your cells become less capable of defending themselves from the onslaught of free radicals. Eventually, many cells become damaged and even die. Scientists now believe that many health problems and visible signs of aging are related to the effects of cellular damage caused by free radicals.