I'm sorry this is so long, but I think you'll find it worth the read.

I had the opportunity just recently of meeting (first through the
WEB, where else of ALL places?!) a small group of brain surgery
survivors who live in the NYC metro area. We've gotten together now a
couple of times now and I have found the experience eye opening to
say the least.

Going into my 23rd year post op (Sept 9 was was 22nd anniversay! for
my second sunt operation) and literally having no problems with my
shunts (knock on wood!), I consider myself very fortunate. Of course,
no one really understands what you go through in an effort to try to
resetablish a sense of normalcy to your life until the experiences
touches close to home. (After all these years the sister-in-law to
one of my brothers came up to me when we were at a picnic this summer
and started to ask a million questions. It seemed that a cousin of
hers had had (brain) surgery recently and was having a terrible time
trying to recover. I smiled and said, "Good nutrition! Eat your 7-10
serverings of fruits and vegetable, and she will be better.")

At any rate the question of each of us (in this new group) copes
seems to be a common ground that produced a variety of responses. (No
one els was more that 7 or 8 years post op.) I chimed in that fruits
and vegetables (a habit I had acquired 5 years prior to my surgeries
when I had gone on one of those "once-in-a-lifetime" diets) and a
Vitamin E pill seemed to make the difference for me in containing an
ever-present headache that I have learned to live with.

The husband of a member in the group who worked in a pharmacy and now
sells medicines followed up on what I had to say by trying to explain
the value of eating antioxidents. He brought up the subject of "free
radicals" (something I had never heard of!) and how the way I eat
makes a difference.

I rushed home to the computer (where else!) and was able to find the
following article (on healthchecksystems.com) which I thought worth
sharing:

Understanding Free Radicals and Antioxidents

What are free radicals? Why are they damaging to the human body? And
how does vitamin E and the other antioxidant nutrients help protect
the body against free radical damage? We'll attempt to answer these
questions and help you understand why eating 5-8 servings per day of
anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables can benefit your health. But
first, a little background…

Background: A Brief Look at Chemical Bonding
To understand the way that free radicals and antioxidants interact,
you must first understand a bit about cells and molecules. So here's
a (very) brief refresher course in Physiology/Chemistry 101: The
human body is composed of many different types of cells. Cells are
composed of many different types of molecules. Molecules consist of
one or more atoms of one or more elements joined by chemical bonds.

As you probably remember from your old high school days, atoms
consist of a nucleus, neutrons, protons and electrons. The number of
protons (positively charged particles) in the atom's nucleus
determines the number of electrons (negatively charged particles)
surrounding the atom. Electrons are involved in chemical reactions
and are the substance that bonds atoms together to form molecules.
Electrons surround, or "orbit" an atom in one or more shells. The
innermost shell is full when it has two electrons. When the first
shell is full, electrons begin to fill the second shell. When the
second shell has eight electrons, it is full, and so on.

The most important structural feature of an atom for determining its
chemical behavior is the number of electrons in its outer shell. A
substance that has a full outer shell tends not to enter in chemical
reactions (an inert substance). Because atoms seek to reach a state
of maximum stability, an atom will try to fill it's outer shell by:

Gaining or losing electrons to either fill or empty its outer shell
Sharing its electrons by bonding together with other atoms in order
to complete its outer shell
Atoms often complete their outer shells by sharing electrons with
other atoms. By sharing electrons, the atoms are bound together and
satisfy the conditions of maximum stability for the molecule.

How Free Radicals are Formed
Normally, bonds don't split in a way that leaves a molecule with an
odd, unpaired electron. But when weak bonds split, free radicals are
formed. Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other
compounds, trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability.
Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable
molecule, "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses
its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain
reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally
resulting in the disruption of a living cell.

Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the
body's immune system's cells purposefully create them to neutralize
viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as
pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn
free radicals.

Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are
unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive,
damage can occur. Of particular importance is that free radical
damage accumulates with age.

How Antioxidants May Prevent Against Free Radical Damage
The vitamins C and E, are thought to protect the body against the
destructive effects of free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize free
radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-
"stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrients themselves don't
become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable
in either form They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and
tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease.

Vitamin E – The most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body.
One of the most efficient chain-breaking antioxidants available.
Primary defender against oxidation. Primary defender against lipid
peroxidation (creation of unstable molecules containing more oxygen
than is usual).

Vitamin C – The most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in the body.
Acts primarily in cellular fluid. Of particular note in combating
free-radical formation caused by pollution and cigarette smoke. Also
helps return vitamin E to its active form.

The Antioxidants and Disease Prevention
Heart Disease – Vitamin E may protect against cardiovascular disease
by defending against LDL oxidation and artery-clogging plaque
formation.

Cancer – Many studies have correlated high vitamin C intakes with low
rates of cancer, particularly cancers of the mouth, larynx and
esophagus.
The Lesson: Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables!
The antioxidants are believed to help protect the body from free-
radical damage. But before you go out and stock your pantry with mega-
doses of these vitamins, be warned: more is not always better. The
long-term effect of large doses of these nutrients has not been
proven. Other chemicals and substances found in natural sources of
antioxidants may also be responsible for the beneficial effects. So
for now, the best way to ensure adequate intake of the antioxidant
nutrients is through a balanced diet consisting of 5-8 servings of
fruits and vegetables per day.

Sorry this post is so long, but I hope it helps.

Bill