> > radical chain reactions are initiated in lipids and proteins, and
> gives
> > rise to radiolytic products. But these reactions are not unique to
> > radiation.
>
> Please give an example of what other process would initiate these
> reactions.
>
In foods, several reactions commonly give rise to free radicals:
1) Abstraction of electrons from polyunsaturated fats by molecular
oxygen.
2) Photolysis, either mediated by pigments, or via UV light (UV is
ionizing radiation)
3) Production of OH radicals by iron, especially heme
4) Attack on polyunsaturated fatty acids by lipoxygenase
In vivo, several reactions in addition to the above are common:
1) Electron leakage from respiration
2) Arachidonate oxidation in cell signaling (inflammation,
prostaglandins, etc))
3) Oxidation of certain naturally occuring and xenobiotic toxins.
> So, we should not be concerned about increasing the stress on the body
> by introducing even more free radicals? Seems to me that we should
> look
> for ways to decrease the incidence of free radical formation...not
> challenge the bodies limits simply because we want to justify a means
> of
> industrial food production.
>
The issue is practical importance. You probably get more "radiolytic
products" into your body by stubbing your toe than by eating irradiated
meat. Getting a suntan is orders of magnitude more dangerous. Losing
sleep worrying about being hit by an asteroid would be time better
spent.
> > With all these things, dose is the critical issue.
>
> Yes, I'm unaware of the long range studies done to assure that these
> doses of unique chemical byproducts are safe for us all to consume on
> a
> daily basis.
>
This subject has been studied for many years. I offered to send you
hundreds of literature citations that I found doing a few minutes of
searching. You apparently don't want to see these.
Probably no amount of evidence would convince you that irradiation is
okay, because there are issues here that go beyond safety. Let's talk
about those political issues. They are more relevant and interesting
than safety.
Dale
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